Polonez (multiple rocket launcher)

Polonez
Polonez
TypeMultiple rocket launcher
Place of originBelarus
Service history
In service2016 – present
Wars2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict[citation needed]
Production history
Designed2014
Produced2014 – present
Specifications
Caliber300 mm (12 in)
Maximum firing rangePolonez: 200 km (120 mi) Polonez-M: 290 km (186.4 mi)
Guidance
system
Global navigation satellite system (GNSS) / inertial navigation system (INS)

The Polonez[1] is a Belarusian 300 mm rocket artillery system of a launcher unit comprising eight rockets packaged in two four-rocket pods mounted on a MZKT-7930 vehicle.[2] In 2018, it was exported to Azerbaijan.[3][4] The system was designed by the Belarusian Plant of Precision Electromechanics in cooperation with a foreign country, probably China. The first combat missile launches were carried out in China.[5] The 77th Separate Rocket Artillery Battalion of the 336th Rocket Artillery Brigade of the Belarusian Ground Forces is equipped with it.[6] An upgraded version called Polonez-M passed all trials and has been accepted into service by the Belarusian Ground Forces as of May 2019. Polonez-M has an increased range of 290 km (186.4 mi), a higher share of domestic components and can fire the improved A-300 missile.[7][8][9] The first delivery was conducted in November 2023.[10]

  1. ^ "Polonez Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), Belarus - Army Technology". Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  2. ^ International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) (9 February 2016). "The Military Balance 2016". The Military Balance. 116. Routledge: 181–183. doi:10.1080/04597222.2016.1127558.
  3. ^ "A new batch of "Polonez" weapons has arrived in Azerbaijan - VIDEO". mod.gov.az. Archived from the original on 24 December 2020. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  4. ^ "Azerbaijan Shows off Polonez, LORA Missiles From Belarus, Israel". Jamestown. Archived from the original on 24 December 2020. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  5. ^ "Developing missile technology is Belarus' strategic priority". Archived from the original on 4 July 2019. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  6. ^ "MILEX 2019: Polonez-M MLRS enters service in Belarusian army | MILEX 2019 News Online Show Daily Minsk Belarus | Defence security military exhibition 2019 daily news category". www.armyrecognition.com. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
  7. ^ "MILEX 2019: Polonez-M MLRS enters service in Belarusian army". Archived from the original on 13 June 2021. Retrieved 23 May 2019.
  8. ^ "Belarus unveils upgraded Polonez-M MRL system". Archived from the original on 9 June 2019. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
  9. ^ "Multiple launch rocket systems "Polonez"/missile system "Polonez-M" – Precision Electromechanics Plant". Retrieved 14 July 2021.
  10. ^ "ЦАМТО / / В Вооруженные силы Республики Беларусь поступил новейший комплекс РСЗО «Полонез-М»". ЦАМТО / Центр анализа мировой торговли оружием (in Russian). 16 November 2023. Retrieved 18 November 2023.