Polonez

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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.

Specifications

Service Year

2016

Origin

Belarus

Status

ACTIVE
In Active Service.

Crew

4
CREWMEN

Production

50
UNITS

MZKT - Belarus

(View other Vehicle-Related Manufacturers)

Azerbaijan; Belarus

(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)

✓ Fire Support / Assault / Breaching
Support allied forces through direct / in-direct fire, assault forward positions, and / or breach fortified areas of the battlefield.

✓ Special Purpose
Special purpose design developed to accomplish an equally-special battlefield role or roles.

Wheeled Arrangement

Wheeled arrangement gives this system an inherent road-running capability, enhancing mobility.

Cross-Country Capability

Design includes such features as a track-link system or high ground clearance to better traverse offroad.

NBC Protection

Crew is provided (either as standard or optional) protection against Nuclear-Biological-Chemical agents for enhanced survivability in contaminated zones.

Nightvision

Crew has access to night-vision equipment, allowing for low-light or night time operations.

In-Direct Fire Capable

This system's capability is such that it can engage targets / target areas without Line-of-Sight attained.

Psychological Effect

Ability to provide lethal, in-direct firepower at range for area saturation; can include nuclear, biological, and chemical agents.

Powerplant: 1 x Diesel-fueled engine driving conventional all-wheel 8x8 arrangement.

Speed

40.4 mph
(65.0 kph)

Range

310.7 mi
(500.0 km)

(Showcased performance specifications pertain to the base Polonez production variant. Compare this entry against any other in our database)

2 x 4-tube 300mm rocket launcher set over the rear of the hull.

Supported Types

Graphical image of tank battlefield rockets

(Not all weapon types may be represented in the showcase above)

8 x 300mm heavy battlefield rockets.

Polonez - Base Series Designation; initial production model of 2016.

Polonez-M - Modernized version of 2019.

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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.

Specifications