Romanian Grads based on DAC trucks spotted in Ukraine
The video shows the operation of Romanian multiple launch artillery systems.
A video of Romanian multiple launch rocket systems, which are already being used by the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the battlefield, is being shared online.
This is the first information about the appearance of MLRS from Romania in Ukraine – there was no previous information about the transfer of these vehicles. The video shows several Romanian APR-40 MLRSs at a training range or battlefield, but the number of delivered vehicles remains unknown.
⚡️The first video of the 🇹🇩Romanian 122-mm MLRS APR-40 system in service with the Armed Forces of 🇺🇦Ukraine.
Previously, the transfer of this system to the Armed Forces of Ukraine was not reported, nor is the number that was transferred unknown. pic.twitter.com/t1IynwdcZr
— 🇺🇦Ukrainian Front (@front_ukrainian) May 9, 2023
Previously, the Ukrainian Armed Forces were quite skeptical of these systems.
The APR-40 is a licensed copy of the Soviet BM-21 Grad MLRS, which was adopted in 1978 on the chassis of a DAC truck. According to Military Balance, as of 2022, the Romanian army had 134 APR-40 MLRSs in service, so it is possible that several dozen were delivered to Ukraine.
The APR-40 is a Romanian multiple launch rocket system developed by Aerostar S.A. on the basis of the Soviet BM-21 system, which is produced under license.
The APR-40 MLRS consists of a combat vehicle (CV), a transport and loading vehicle (TLV) and 122-mm unguided rocket projectiles (URM).
The launcher has a package of 40 guides, 3 meters long, completely identical to the Gra system. It is mounted on the chassis of a DAC 665T all-wheel drive truck with a 6×6 wheel configuration. The vertical guidance angle of the launcher is from 0° to +55°, the horizontal guidance angle is 102° to the left of the vehicle’s longitudinal axis and 70° to the right of the vehicle’s longitudinal axis.
The APR-40 MLRS is capable of firing both single shots and volleys. The time of a full salvo is 30 seconds. Fire control is carried out both from the vehicle’s cab and remotely from a remote control via a cable from a distance of 50 meters. The maximum range of shots is up to 20.5 km.
The APR-40 MLRS is reloaded using a transport and reloading vehicle (TRV) that carries 40 missiles in special racks. The missiles are fired by high-explosive fragmentation rockets or rockets with warheads equipped with anti-personnel or anti-vehicle warheads.
The basic chassis of the DAC 665T has a centralized tire pressure control system that increases the vehicle’s cross-country ability. The vehicle is also equipped with a radio station and fire extinguishing system.
