BM-30 Smerch
The BM-30 Smerch, 9K58 Smerch or 9A52-2 Smerch-M is a heavy self-propelled 300 mm multiple rocket launcher designed in the Soviet Union to fire a full load of 12 solid-fuelled projectiles. The system is intended to defeat personnel, armored, and soft targets in concentration areas, artillery batteries, command posts and ammunition depots. It was designed in the early 1980s and entered service in the Soviet Army in 1989. When first observed by the West in 1983, it received the code MRL 280mm M1983. It continues in use by Russia; a program to replace it with the Tornado-S began in 2018.
Operational history
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 the Syrian civil war, including in fighting in Jobar. It was also used by Russia-backed militants to deliver explosive and cluster munitions to Ukrainian military positions and likewise by the Ukrainian Army. Several have been seen in use by pro-Russian rebels. The Russian Ground Forces used the BM-30 in Syria in October 2015 during the Russian intervention in Syria.During the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Armenia and Azerbaijan both targeted each other's territory with Smerch rockets.
As of November 2025, there is visual evidence of three Russian Military BM-30s being destroyed in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Smerch rockets were fired from Belgorod in the 2022 [Russian invasion of Ukraine|2022 Russian Invasion of Ukraine]. During the Battle of Kharkiv it is alleged that 11 Smerch rockets were fired on 27–28 February alone.
Components
The main components of the RSZO 9K58 "Smerch" system are the following:- Rockets 9M55 or 9M528 ;BM 9A52-2 launch vehicle;TZM 9T234-2 transloader with an 850 kg crane and 12 spare rockets;
- Automated fire control equipment in the command post 1K123 "Vivary";
- Maintenance vehicle PM-2-70 MTO-V;
- Set of arsenal equipment 9F819;
- Training facilities 9F827 and 9F840.
The 9A52-2 vehicle with the automated system ensures:
- delivery of fire from an un-surveyed fire position;
- laying of the launch tube cluster with the crew staying in the cabin and without using aiming points;
- autonomous determination of an azimuth of the launch tube cluster's longitudinal axis;
- visual representation of graphical information for the launch tube cluster laying, the route of vehicle movement and location as well as a point of destination and direction of movement on the video terminal;
- increase in MLRS survivability owing to reduced time of staying at a fire position;
- increased comfort for the laying operator, especially in adverse weather conditions and at night;
- increased independent operation owing to the navigation and survey equipment, which allows the vehicle to rapidly change fire positions and move autonomously;
- reduction of the combat crew.
General characteristics
- Chassis: MAZ-543M or MAZ-79111
- Emplacement Time: 3 min
- Displacement Time: 2 min
- Launch Rate
- * Salvo Time: 12 rounds in 38 seconds
- Reload Time: 20 min
Variants
9A52 – Standard variant on MAZ-79111 truck.9A52-2 – Modified variant on MAZ-543M truck.9A52-2T – Export version, based on the Tatra T816 10×10 truck.9A52-4 – Lighter, airmobile version on KamAZ-6350 truck with modular 6-round rocket pack. Demonstrated in 2007.- Arctic version with rockets mounted on DT-30PM tracked vehicle.9A54 – Tornado-S, upgraded with a GLONASS receiver and automated digital FCS.
Operators
Current operators
- – 18 BM-30s received from Russia in 1999. All in service as of 2024.
- – 6 purchased from Russia and received in 2017-18. All in service as of 2024.
- – 50 BM-30 Smerch and 10 Polonez in service as of 2024.
- – 36 BM-30 Smerch and 10 Polonez/Polonez-M in service as of 2024.
- – Total 42 9A52-2T launchers in service as of 2024. The first deal, worth $450 million, to equip 2 artillery regiments was signed in December 2005. Deliveries were completed by March 2008.
- – 6 in service as of 2024.
- – 27 systems in service as of 2024.
- - Several seen in a military parade in Benghazi in 2025.
- – 104+ BM-30 Smerch and 20 Tornado-S in service as of 2024. At least 3 BM-30 have been lost in the Russian Invasion of Ukraine as of 20 December 2024.
- – Unknown number in service. Used in the Syrian civil war. 2 BM-30 Smerchs were captured by HTS rebel forces in the 2024 Syrian rebel offensive.
- – 6 systems in service as of 2024.
- – 40 BM-30 Smerch and some Vilkha as of 2024. Serviceability is doubtful.
- – 6 systems in service as of 2024.
- – 12 systems in service as of 2024.
Former operators
- : Passed on to successor states.