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Land Systems / Battlefield

Polonez

8x8 Wheeled Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) [ 2016 ]

Evolved from the Russian MZKT-7930 vehicle, Belarus has adopted the Polonez for the heavy rocket-projecting role.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 02/27/2022 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

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Taking a page out of proven Soviet-Russian land warfare doctrine, the modern Belarus Army utilizes the "Polonez" 8x8 wheeled Multiple Rocket Launch System (MLRS) in the heavy rocket-projecting role. These weapons are designed not only for their obvious lethality but also the terrifying psychological effect they can have on target areas - particularly against dug-in enemy troops. The vehicles have been in active service with Belarus forces since 2016 and have seen combat service in the Nagomo-Karabakh War of 2020 between Armenia and Azerbaijan (a Belarus export partner). The wheeled system is comparable to various other Soviet-inspired developments including the classic "Katyusha", BM-21 "Grad", and BM-27 "Uragan" - all fulfilling the same battlefield MLRS function.

Design work on this Belarussian solution took place in 2014 and production has been ongoing since.

The Polonez is a development of Belarussian-based MZKT with suspected Chinese technical assistance and took place during the 1990s just as the Soviet Empire (1947-1991) had fallen to history. The pilot (prototype) vehicle form was made ready in 1994 but did not enter Belarus service until 2016.

The Polonez utilizes a proven 8x8 wheeled configuration with the overhanging crew compartment, oversized roadwheels, and high-ground clearance. The chassis provides good road and cross-country performance allowing it to keep up with the main fighting force. The vehicle fits eight large 300mm battlefield rockets in a powered, traversable / trainable launcher unit over the rear of the hull. This allows the vehicle to be setup to fire in short order and relocate to a new firing position within minutes. When all rockets are spent, the vehicle requires a nearby resupply unit to provide fresh rockets.

Two variants are known: the "Polonez" and "Polonez-M". The former has a range out to 120 miles while the latter modernized M-models increase reachable target areas out to 185 miles - giving this solution a considerable "reach" on the modern battlefield. M-models appeared in mid-2019.

The series was sold to Azerbaijan in 2018.©MilitaryFactory.com

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Specifications

BASICS [+] MANUFACTURER(S) [+] OPERATORS [+] ROLES [+] NOTABLE QUALITIES [+] POWER & PERFORMANCE [+] ARMAMENT [+] AMMUNITION [+] VARIANTS [+] HONORS [+]

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