The armed forces of our ally received a new MLRS "Polonaise-M" with impressive characteristics
The first divisional set of the Polonaise-M multiple launch rocket system has been transferred to the Armed Forces of Belarus, the State Military-Industrial Committee of the country reported. It can simultaneously hit up to eight targets at a range of up to 300 km. The complex has already been called a competitor to the American HIMARS system, since Polonaise-M uses satellite navigation to deliver high-precision strikes. Izvestia found out the features of the new missile system and talked with experts about the need for such a complex in the Russian army.
Chinese trace in the Belarusian army
The Polonaise-M MLRS complex is a modified version of the Polonaise system already in service with the Belarusian army. Its development began in 2016, a year later the first firing was carried out at the training ground. In 2018, the car was recommended for adoption by the Belarusian army.
According to military expert Andrey Frolov, Chinese technologies could have been used to create the Polonaise-M.
MLRS "Polonaise-M"
Image Source: Photo: AP Photo/Sergei Grits
— The MLRS has received a modern heavy guided missile, — he told Izvestia. — I do not know what the share of components from China is, but it is obvious that this is not a Belarusian development. According to its characteristics, it is better than HIMARS and comparable to ATACMS missiles. Probably even more precise and more modern than they are.
The similarity of the Belarusian missiles of the Polonaise-M complex with the developments of the Chinese defense industry has been repeatedly reported by the relevant military media. It is generally believed in the expert community that Chinese missile technologies for the Polonaise complex were localized in Belarus, but this has never been stated at the official level.
Military expert Yuri Lyamin told Izvestia that initially Polonaise had A200 rockets for MLRS. According to him, this is the development of one of the Chinese defense companies.
— In 2017, at the military exhibition in Minsk, operational-tactical M-20 missiles with a range of up to 300 km were shown for the first time as part of the Polonaise complex, — he recalled. — Most likely, this is also a Chinese development. It is not known how localized it is in Belarus. Neither China nor Belarus comment on this issue. Most likely, the updated "Polonaise" received an additional opportunity to use these ammunition.
According to him, now there will be two types of ammunition in the arsenal of MLRS — rockets and operational-tactical missiles, which allow solving a wide range of combat tasks at a range of up to 300 km.
Minsk tractor
Serial combat vehicles of the Polonaise-M complex are installed on the chassis of the MZKT-7930 Astrologer — these are powerful wheeled tractors with the formula 8x8 and a load capacity from 17.8 to 25 tons. It is well known to Russian servicemen. The Iskander operational-tactical missile system, the Bal, Bastion coastal missile systems and a number of other weapons systems are located on its base.
The first version of the Polonaise received 301 mm A200 missiles with a range of up to 200 km. The A200 has a length of 7264 mm and a stabilizer span of 615 mm. The mass of the ammunition is 750 kg. The warhead of the ammunition is detachable. The guidance system is combined — inertial with satellite correction (GPS).
The battery of the MLRS "Polonez-M" includes a mobile control module, two transport-charging machines and two launchers — they are made on the basis of the MAZ truck.
The equipment installed in the combat control vehicle provides communication with combat, transport-loading and command vehicles at a distance of up to 10 km in motion and up to 30 km in the parking lot. The combat crew of the Polonaise consists of four people and can work continuously for up to 48 hours.
A salvo of eight missiles at eight different targets is fired by MLRS in 50 seconds, and the system preparation time for a salvo does not exceed eight minutes.
MLRS is designed to destroy command posts, ammunition arsenals, field airfields, clusters of equipment and concentration of manpower.
The first — not upgraded — version of the MLRS "Polonaise" was not produced in a large series. It is known that the Belarusian ground forces received several launchers from the industry.
Earlier, the Chief of the General Staff — First Deputy Minister of Defense of Belarus Viktor Gulevich said that this type of MLRS was successfully mastered by the personnel of a separate rocket artillery division.
Can you dance on your
Whether Belarus will be able to transfer new "Polonaises" to the Russian army depends on the licensing agreements between China and Belarus on the use and sales of these systems, Yuri Lyamin believes.
"Polonaise-M"
Image Source: Photo: ztem.by
"The Chinese are quite loyal to the fact that their weapons get into the zones of various armed conflicts through third countries," he said. — Such systems would be useful to us. The Tornado-S MLRS can hit targets up to 120 km. There is an Iskander with missiles with a range of up to 500 km, but for many purposes they are redundant. They are designed to overcome missile defense and are very expensive. You can only change such ammunition for a really important purpose.
At the same time, Andrei Frolov is sure that the Russian army does not need the Polonaise-M system.
"We have the Iskander tactical missile system, as well as the Tornado—S MLRS," he said.
According to him, their capabilities are quite enough to solve the combat tasks facing the Russian army.
Bogdan Stepovoy
Roman Kretsul
