| BM-30Smerch | |
|---|---|
 9A52-2 "Smerch" launch vehicle | |
| Type | Multiple rocket launcher |
| Place of origin | Soviet Union, Russia |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1989–present |
| Used by | SeeOperators |
| Wars | Second Chechen War War in Donbas Syrian Civil War[1] Second Nagorno-Karabakh War[2] Russo-Ukrainian war[3] |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Splav State Research and Production Enterprise |
| Designed | 1980s |
| Manufacturer | Splav State Research and Production Enterprise |
| Produced | 1989–present |
| Variants | SeeVariants |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 43.7 t |
| Length | 12 m (39 ft 4 in) |
| Width | 3.05 m (10 ft) |
| Height | 3.05 m (10 ft) |
| Crew | 3 |
| Caliber | 300 mm |
| Barrels | 12 |
| Maximum firing range | 120 km (75 mi) (9M542 rocket) 200 km (120 mi) (9M544 rocket) |
Main armament | 9M55 or 9M528 rockets |
| Engine | D12A-525AV12diesel engine 525 hp (391 kW) |
| Suspension | 8×8 wheeled |
Operational range | 850 km (530 mi) |
| Maximum speed | 60 km/h (37 mph) |
TheBM-30Smerch (Russian:Смерч,lit. 'tornado', 'whirlwind'),9K58 Smerch or9A52-2 Smerch-M is a heavyself-propelled 300 mmmultiple rocket launcher designed in theSoviet Union to fire a full load of 12 solid-fuelled projectiles. The system is intended to defeat personnel, armored, andsoft targets in concentration areas, artillery batteries, command posts andammunition depots. It was designed in the early 1980s and entered service in theSoviet Army in 1989.[4] When first observed by the West in 1983, it received the codeMRL 280mm M1983. It continues in use by Russia; a program to replace it with the Tornado-S began in 2018.[5]
The first confirmed combat uses of the Smerch were in two war zones in 2014. Syrian military forces used the system against rebel forces during theSyrian civil war, including in fighting inJobar.[6] It was also used by Russia-backed militants to deliver explosive and cluster munitions to Ukrainian military positions and likewise by the Ukrainian Army.[7][8] Several have been seen in use by pro-Russian rebels.[9][10] TheRussian Ground Forces used the BM-30 in Syria in October 2015 during theRussian intervention in Syria.[11]
During the2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Armenia and Azerbaijan both targeted each other's territory with Smerch rockets.[12]
As of November 2025, there is visual evidence of three Russian Military BM-30s being destroyed in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[13] Smerch rockets were fired fromBelgorod in the2022 Russian Invasion of Ukraine. During the Battle of Kharkiv it is alleged that 11 Smerch rockets were fired on 27–28 February alone.[14]
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The main components of theRSZO 9K58 "Smerch" system are the following:
300mm rockets with a firing range of 70 and 90 km and various warheads have been developed for the Smerch MLRS.
The 9A52-2 vehicle with the automated system ensures:
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| Variant | Rocket | Warhead | Guidance system | Range | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Type | Weight | Length | Weight | Submunition | Self-destruct time | Min. (km) | Max. (km) | |
| 9M55K | Cluster munition, anti-personnel | 800 kg | 7.6 m | 243 kg | 72 × 1.75 kg, each with 96 fragments(4.5 g each) | 110 sec | 20 | 70 | |
| 9M55K1 | Cluster munition, self-guided anti-tank | 243 kg | 5 × 15 kg | ||||||
| 9M55K4 | Cluster munition,AT minelets. | 243 kg | 25 × 5 kg mines | 24 hour | |||||
| 9M55K5 | HEAT/HE-Fragmentation. | 243 kg | 646 × 0.25 kg(up to 120 mm RHA armor-piercing) | 260 sec | |||||
| 9M55F | Separable HE-Fragmentation | 258 kg | |||||||
| 9M55C | Thermobaric | 243 kg | |||||||
| 9M528 | HE-Fragmentation | 815 kg | 243 kg | 25 | 90 | ||||
| 9M534 | UAV delivery system | Drone | 20 | 90 | |||||
| 9М542 | HE-Fragmentation,PGM | 150 kg | Inertial,GLONASS, 4canards | 40 | 120 | ||||
| R624 | 250 kg | Inertial,GPS, 90 pulse engines | 70 | ||||||
| R624M | 170 kg | 130 | |||||||
Algeria – 18 BM-30s received from Russia in 1999.[18] All in service as of 2024.[19]
Armenia – 6 purchased from Russia and received in 2017-18.[18][20] All in service as of 2024.[19]
Azerbaijan – 50 BM-30 Smerch and 10 Polonez in service as of 2024.[18][19]
Belarus – 36 BM-30 Smerch and 10 Polonez/Polonez-M in service as of 2024.[19]
India – Total 42 9A52-2T launchers in service as of 2024 (3 regiments).[19][21] The first deal, worth $450 million, to equip 2 artillery regiments (28 launchers) was signed in December 2005. Deliveries were completed by March 2008.[18]
Kazakhstan – 6 in service as of 2024.[19]
Kuwait – 27 systems in service as of 2024.[18][19]
Libya - Several seen in a military parade in Benghazi in 2025 (in service of theLibyan National Army).[22]
Russia – 104+ BM-30 Smerch and 20 Tornado-S in service as of 2024. At least 3 BM-30 have been lost in theRussian Invasion of Ukraine as of 20 December 2024.[23]
Syria – Unknown number in service.[19] Used in the Syrian civil war.[24] 2 BM-30 Smerchs were captured by HTS rebel forces in the 2024 Syrian rebel offensive.[25]
Turkmenistan – 6 systems in service as of 2024.[19]
Ukraine – 40 BM-30 Smerch and some Vilkha as of 2024. Serviceability is doubtful.[19]
United Arab Emirates – 6 systems in service as of 2024.[18][19]
Venezuela – 12 systems in service as of 2024.[18][19][26]
Soviet Union: Passed on to successor states.
| External videos | |
|---|---|
 300mm Smerch Multiple Rocket Launcher:0:48 – Cluster – fragmentation 1:30 – Separable HE-Frag warhead 2:00 – Cluster – self-guided EFP (AT) elements 3:00 – Cluster – anti-tank mines 3:30 – Cluster – shaped charge/frag elements 3:50 – Unmanned aerial vehicle 5:20 – Thermobaric warhead |
