Belarus receives a batch of Russian Grad missile systems

The Special Operations Forces of Belarus have adopted Grad multiple rocket launchers.

Here's What We Know

The 38th Air Assault Brigade completed additional training for drivers of Grad multiple rocket launcher systems. To complete this training, the Belarusian army conducted a 50-kilometre march in a convoy to confirm the drivers' qualifications.

It should be noted that the first rumours that Belarus had received MLRS appeared last summer. And in May this year, Grads were spotted during a parade of the Brest garrison troops and at an exhibition of equipment of the 103rd Airborne Brigade in Vitebsk.

According to Belaruski Gayun, the additional training of drivers for these systems is a complete confirmation that the missile system has been adopted by the mixed artillery divisions of the 38th and 103rd Airborne Brigades. Probably, each of the divisions has formed a rocket artillery battery, which will include six combat vehicles.

In addition to Grads, the mixed artillery divisions of the brigades in the Belarusian Armed Forces also have 122-mm D-30 trailed howitzers, 120-mm 2bB23 Nona-M1 trailed mortars, and anti-tank missile systems.

Flashback

The Grad multiple launch rocket system is one of the most common systems of this type, developed in the USSR in the 1960s. It consists of a BM-21 launcher on the chassis of an Ural-375D truck or any other truck and 122mm rocket shells. "The Grad can fire 40 missiles simultaneously, covering an area of up to 0.8 square kilometres, making it an effective means of destroying enemy manpower, equipment and fortifications. The Grad's high mobility, ease of use and long range (up to 40 km) have ensured its widespread use in many conflicts around the world.

Source: "Belarusian Hayun"