MINSK, 13 November (BelTA) – The modernized multiple-launch rocket system (MLRS) Polonez M may be commissioned by the end of the year, BelTA learned from Gennady Kozlovsky, Chief of the Missile Forces and Artillery Command of the Belarusian army, Chief of the Missile Forces and Artillery Office of the General Staff of the Armed Forces.
According to the source, the MLRS V-200 Polonez with the engagement range of 200km was commissioned in 2016. An upgraded version of the weapon system named Polonez M able to hit targets 300km away was successfully tested in 2017. “This year we are going to finish the development effort and may commission the weapon system by the end of the year. Later on these multiple-launch rocket systems will be delivered to units of the Belarusian army,” said Gennady Kozlovsky. The officer noted that 300km is not the limit.
The officer also mentioned other new weapon systems such as Nona-M1 mortars designed for airborne forces. The mortar is made in Russia and uses Belarusian vehicles and control systems. “We intend to make an entire mortar complex. It will be an automated system designed for the tactical level, a squadron level,” said Gennady Kozlovsky. The mortar complex 2S12 Sani has also been upgraded up to the 2S12B level. It is based on a Belarusian chassis and uses the Belarusian control system Lektor.
Work is also in progress to modernize command vehicles of the 2S12 type. A multipurpose light-armor truck will be produced as a result. The new command vehicle will be able to launch drones for reconnaissance and fire adjustment missions.
Development efforts of the Belarusian missile and artillery forces are focused on three things: extending the engagement range, improving precision, and reducing the time for deploying units and performing missile and artillery strikes. The launch of a missile by the MLRS Polonez M over the distance of 300km was mentioned as an example.
