Artillery remains one of the deadliest weapons on Ukraine’s battlefield—and now it’s becoming far more accurate. Discover how Spanish-made precision guidance kits are transforming Ukraine’s Soviet-era BM-21 Grad rocket system into a precision strike platform capable of challenging modern MLRS systems. We break down the technology, its battlefield impact, and why this upgrade could dramatically enhance Ukraine’s firepower while reducing costs, marking a major evolution in the future of artillery warfare.
⏱️ CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Ukraine War Artillery vs Drone Battlefield Importance
01:12 - Eurosatory 2026 Weapons Expo Highlights HIMARS FLEX
03:20 - Ukraine Receives 11,000 Spanish BM-21 Guidance Kits
04:52 - BM-21 Grad Rocket Artillery Capabilities and Specs
10:14 - HIMARS vs BM-21 Grad Missile Cost Comparison
13:57 - Can Upgraded Ukraine BM-21 Grad Artillery Defeat Russia?
Support us directly as we bring you independent, up-to-date reporting on military news and global conflicts by clicking here: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMilitaryShow/join
#militarystrategy #militarydevelopments #militaryanalysis
#themilitaryshow
SOURCES: https://pastebin.com/JTsdVW7k
⏱️ CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Ukraine War Artillery vs Drone Battlefield Importance
01:12 - Eurosatory 2026 Weapons Expo Highlights HIMARS FLEX
03:20 - Ukraine Receives 11,000 Spanish BM-21 Guidance Kits
04:52 - BM-21 Grad Rocket Artillery Capabilities and Specs
10:14 - HIMARS vs BM-21 Grad Missile Cost Comparison
13:57 - Can Upgraded Ukraine BM-21 Grad Artillery Defeat Russia?
Support us directly as we bring you independent, up-to-date reporting on military news and global conflicts by clicking here: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMilitaryShow/join
#militarystrategy #militarydevelopments #militaryanalysis
#themilitaryshow
SOURCES: https://pastebin.com/JTsdVW7k
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00In the war in Ukraine, much of the attention in recent years has naturally focused on drones
00:05and other unmanned systems.
00:07In the air, at sea, and increasingly on the ground, these autonomous and semi-autonomous
00:12systems have fundamentally changed the way the war is waged, and represent its future.
00:17These unmanned weapon systems have inflicted unprecedented destruction on much heavier,
00:22more expensive systems like tanks and armored vehicles, and that's led to a growing number
00:27of voices suggesting that these traditional heavyweights of the battlefield are becoming
00:31obsolete.
00:32But if you ask the soldiers on the front line, they'll tell you at least one stalwart of 20th
00:37century warfare remains as important as ever – artillery.
00:42Artillery shells and rockets fired from multi-launch rocket systems, or MLRS, may not offer the
00:47end-to-end precision and maneuverability of FPV and heavier kamikaze drones, but they still
00:53cause huge damage to enemy forces on and just behind the front lines.
00:57And now, thanks to a Spanish innovation, Ukraine's basic MLRS system, the Grad BM-21, is being
01:05converted from firing dumb rounds into a launcher of precision-guided munitions.
01:09Here's how it works, and why it could make a massive difference on the battlefield.
01:13Spanish company EM&E has created precision guidance kits that increase the BM-21's rocket's
01:20accuracy from hundreds of yards down to just a few.
01:23The news of the introduction of these kits first emerged publicly at the Eurosatury 2026
01:29Defense Expo at Parc de Exposition de Villepinte in Paris, France.
01:34The 2026 edition was marked by a significant surge in Ukrainian participation, up from just
01:39five exhibitors in 2024 to over 80 companies two years later.
01:44Ukrainian firms showcase unmanned systems, electronic warfare solutions, and long-range strike capabilities.
01:51Firepoint, for example, presented its Freya anti-ballistic program, a new long-range weaponry,
01:58while Thermo Projects Ukraine demonstrated mobile climate control systems for military vehicles.
02:03But it wasn't just new capabilities and unmanned systems and other ultra-high-tech systems on display.
02:09MLRS innovations were also high on the agenda.
02:13Lockheed Martin unveiled the HIMARS FLEX, a modular evolution of its famous MLRS.
02:19The FLEX features a dual-pod launcher that doubles ammunition capacity from six rockets to 12.
02:25Crucially, this variant can fire air defense interceptors, including Patriot Pact-3 missiles,
02:30alongside standard GMLRS and ATAKAMs, adding a layered missile defense capability to the strike platform.
02:37European consortium KNDS revealed the long-range artillery system, or LORAS, demonstrator.
02:44It utilizes a new 155mm .58 caliber gun to achieve ranges of 50 to 62 miles with precision ammunition,
02:52bridging the gap between traditional howitzers and MLRS.
02:56New variants of the Global Mobile Artillery Rocket System, or GMARS, a collaboration between Rheinmetall and Lockheed Martin,
03:04were also unveiled, albeit somewhat overshadowed by the HIMARS FLEX announcement.
03:09All of these systems will likely find their way into the service of Ukraine's armed forces over time.
03:15But in the meantime, it was another MLRS innovation unveiled at the expo that's likely to make a much more
03:21immediate difference.
03:22In fact, it probably already is.
03:25According to EM&E, which is short for Scribano Mechanical and Engineering,
03:30over 11,000 of its guidance kits for BM-21 rockets have already been delivered to Ukraine since 2023,
03:37with tens of thousands more set to follow.
03:39Why is that potentially a game-changer?
03:42Well, in a nutshell, the kits increased the accuracy of the rockets dramatically.
03:47According to the company, it's producing two types of guidance kits for Ukraine.
03:51The first uses satellite, or GNSS, and inertial, or INS, navigation.
03:57These kits reduce the circular error probable of BM-21 munitions, from a baseline of 656 to 1,640 feet,
04:06down to around just 49 feet.
04:08That's a massive difference, but it gets even better.
04:11A laser-guided variant was reportedly also developed at Ukraine's request, and it achieves an accuracy of less than 10
04:18feet,
04:18even under active electronic warfare and jamming conditions.
04:22By the first quarter of 2026, 1,000 kits in this configuration had reportedly been delivered.
04:28The laser variant is somewhat longer than the GNSS-INS version, and features four independently controlled forward fins rather than
04:36two.
04:37But both variants are universal, meaning they're compatible with all the various rockets that can be fired from the Grad.
04:43They also appear to be compatible with Ukraine's adaptations and modernizations of the system, which we'll discuss a little later
04:50on.
04:51The standard rocket that Ukraine uses with its grads is the unguided M21OF-122mm rocket,
04:59a solid-fueled projectile designed for high-explosive fragmentation effects against area targets.
05:05The rocket weighs around 145.5 pounds in total, incorporating a 40.54-pound warhead charged with TNT-based explosive
05:14such as TGAF-5.
05:16Launched from the system's pods, it achieves a muzzle velocity of around 2,264 feet per second, enabling a maximum
05:24range of around 12.5 miles.
05:27It's a particularly nasty munition. The M21OF warhead's internal scoring generates approximately 3,950 fragments weighing half a gram or
05:37more upon detonation,
05:38which disperse over a lethal radius of roughly 92 to 131 feet.
05:44So, these rockets are ideal for saturation fire for aerial denial, and are particularly effective against exposed infantry concentrations and
05:53light vehicles lacking armor protection.
05:54The standard BM21 features a 40-tube launcher and can discharge its full load in as little as 20 seconds,
06:02achieving an effective firing rate of approximately 120 rockets per minute per vehicle.
06:08In standard battery configurations that often involve multiple coordinated launchers,
06:13hundreds or thousands of projectiles can be delivered in coordinated salvos,
06:18saturating target zones in areas exceeding 1,300 feet in diameter per launcher salvo.
06:24These barrages are a terrifying thing to face. They induce significant psychological disruption on top of the area denial,
06:31compelling enemy forces to seek cover and halt maneuvers for extended periods.
06:35The incoming rockets produce a characteristic screeching noise that heightens fear and disorientation,
06:41amplifying the non-lethal effects on troop morale and cohesion.
06:45Combined with a wide dispersal of high-explosive fragmentation warheads,
06:49this means a typical salvo can suppress enemy infantry or artillery batteries for 10-20 minutes by denying safe movement
06:56and forcing dispersal.
06:58This ability to provide immediate, high-density fire in attritional frontline conditions is why grads continue to form the backbone
07:06of rocket artillery for both the Ukrainian and Russian sides,
07:09despite the rise of drones and counter-battery radars.
07:12But there have been a couple of long-standing issues, which the new kits helped to resolve.
07:17The main drawback with the M21OF, also known as the 9M22U, is its limited accuracy.
07:24These unguided spin-stabilized projectiles follow a ballistic trajectory influenced by factors such as wind and launch angle,
07:32resulting in substantial dispersion that increases with distance.
07:35They are also somewhat limited in range, but that limitation has been reduced through the use of newer extended-range
07:42rockets,
07:43such as the 9M521 and the 9M522, which significantly increase the system's reach.
07:49These rockets feature improved aerodynamics and propellant, extending the effective range to anywhere from 18 to 28 miles.
07:58This allows grads to strike deeper behind enemy lines while staying out of immediate counter-battery range.
08:03Ukraine has also made extensive use of specialized rounds for the BM21.
08:09For example, the 9M519 is a radio-electronic jamming rocket designed to disrupt enemy communications.
08:16The 9M42 and 9M43 are illumination and target-marking rockets used to light up the battlefield at night
08:23or designate targets for other artillery units.
08:26The BM21 family also includes the thermobaric 122mm rockets, which create massive overpressure waves
08:34that are extremely effective against personnel in trenches and fortified structures.
08:39The EM&E kits are reportedly compatible with all of the 122mm munition types Ukraine uses with its grads.
08:47That means all of these rockets just got a lot more accurate.
08:50The kits are also compatible with single-launch tubes and possess another characteristic that may prove decisive in the long
08:57run.
08:57They're completely ITAR-free.
09:00ITAR, the abbreviation of the International Traffic and Arms Regulations,
09:04is a set of U.S. government regulations that govern the export, import and temporary transfer
09:09of U.S. defense-related articles, services and technical data.
09:13Its primary goal is to safeguard U.S. national security and advance foreign policy
09:19by preventing sensitive military technology from reaching adversaries.
09:23ITAR-regulated items often come with strict end-user agreements
09:27that limit where and how the weapon can be used.
09:30They can also be subject to license delays and even potential embargoes.
09:34The key benefit of an ITAR-free system is that it doesn't need U.S. State Department approval
09:39to use, modify or transfer the equipment.
09:42The U.S. can't veto their deployment or re-export of ITAR-free systems to third parties,
09:48for example sending them to Ukraine.
09:50So production and maintenance can continue even if U.S. political priorities shift.
09:55Ukraine has already been caught by these shifting U.S. priorities on several occasions during the war.
10:00The fact that the EM and E-kits are ITAR-free means they won't be subject to U.S. political
10:05whims
10:06or the changing inventory needs of the U.S. military.
10:09They turn an aging, imprecise saturation weapon into a precision-guided rocket, just like a HIMARS,
10:15and that gives it a new lease on life.
10:18Until now, Ukraine's grads and other modified Soviet-era MLRS systems
10:22have played a different role than its U.S.-made HIMARS and M270 MLRS systems.
10:28On the one hand, the BM-21 Grad has primarily served as Ukraine's high-volume, short-range artillery workhorse.
10:35On the other hand, its Western-supplied HIMARS and M270 MLRS have been used more in precision and deep-strike
10:42roles.
10:43That's because while the Grad offers superior saturation firepower for frontline trenches,
10:48it's lacked the range, accuracy and survivability of its NATO counterparts.
10:53Until now.
10:54Compared to the BM-21 Salvo of 40 unguided 122mm rockets,
11:00the M142 HIMARS and M270 MLRS fire 6 or 12-guided 227mm GMLRS rockets, respectively.
11:09The Western systems utilize GPS INS guidance to achieve circular error probabilities within 16 to 33 feet.
11:16This high degree of accuracy allows them to destroy specific high-value targets like command posts and ammo depots
11:24with a single rocket rather than a blanket barrage.
11:27The M142 HIMARS and M270 MLRS also have a significant advantage over standard Grad missiles in terms of range.
11:34As compared to the Grad missiles range of 12.4 to 28 miles, standard HIMARS M270 systems firing
11:42GMLRS rockets reach 50 to 56 miles.
11:46When equipped with ATAKUM's 610mm caliber tactical missiles,
11:51they can strike targets up to 186 miles away.
11:54This allows Ukrainian forces to hit Russian logistics and command nodes far behind the frontline,
11:59a capability the Grad fundamentally lacks.
12:02The new Spanish guidance kits don't extend the range of the BM21's rockets per se,
12:07but they do make them several orders of magnitude more accurate.
12:10That means high-precision strikes on frontline positions that were previously only possible with drones,
12:16which typically carry smaller warheads and are thus less effective against fortified positions.
12:21That's particularly significant for Ukraine for two main reasons.
12:24The first is that, unlike GLMRS or ATAKUM's rockets,
12:28Ukraine isn't reliant on the U.S. or other partners for Grad rocket supplies.
12:33It inherited huge stockpiles when it gained independence from the Soviet Union
12:37and continues to manufacture them domestically.
12:39The Shepetivka repair plant in the town of Shepetivka in Kymelnitsky oblast in western Ukraine,
12:46part of the state defense corporation Nukroboronprom,
12:49has long been the central hub for producing 122mm rockets.
12:53However, with much of Ukraine's defense manufacturing
12:56now conducted in classified locations,
12:59it's unclear whether the plant remains the primary manufacturer.
13:03The site was reportedly hit on multiple occasions
13:05by Russian missile strikes in 2023 and 2025.
13:10In addition, thanks to the widespread deployment of the Grad over the years,
13:15there's plenty of ammunition still floating around out there
13:17if and when Ukraine needs to purchase more.
13:20Around 100,000 Grad BM21 systems are believed to have been produced in total,
13:25finding their way into service with at least 72 militaries around the world
13:29and almost every major war since the 1960s.
13:32Ukraine is even known to have procured BM21 missiles from the U.S. back in 2022.
13:37Now, tired of seeing the same old stories with the same old angles on every YouTube channel?
13:43Well, subscribe to The Military Show for a fresh perspective.
13:47We dig beneath the headlines to bring you the most important military news and why it matters.
13:52So subscribe and enable notifications so you're always the first to know.
13:56Now, like so many other Soviet-era systems that it inherited,
14:00Ukraine hasn't just sat still, using up the supplies of aging Soviet BM21s that it inherited.
14:05When Russia invaded in February 2022, Ukraine possessed approximately 260 BM21 Grad systems,
14:13with some sources estimating an inventory as high as 600 units.
14:17By 2024, the number of systems remaining in Ukrainian service had decreased to roughly 100,
14:24with at least 54 variants visually confirmed to have been lost in combat by December 2024.
14:29But very few of those remaining are the original Soviet systems,
14:33because Ukraine has been actively upgrading and modernizing them
14:36to create weapons suitable for the battlefields of today.
14:40Much of its modernization efforts have focused on mounting the launchers
14:44onto more modern truck chassis.
14:46The launcher itself works reliably and hasn't needed too much attention by the looks of it.
14:50It consists of a reusable pod with 40 launch tubes arranged in a 4x10 rectangular array,
14:56which is hydraulically elevated from 0 to 55 degrees for firing,
15:00and rotated forward over the cab for transit to minimize the silhouette
15:04and facilitate simple transport.
15:07Two hydraulic jacks at the rear are extended to brace the vehicle against recoil forces,
15:12adding stability during launch, particularly when off-road.
15:15The pods are reloaded manually or with auxiliary equipment from a separate ammunition carrier truck,
15:20a process which typically takes 5 to 10 minutes for a trained crew.
15:24This design emphasizes quick setup and teardown,
15:28a feature integral to the system's role in masked high-volume fire support.
15:32But the chassis onto which the launchers were originally mounted is now well beyond its sell-by date.
15:38To be sure, as the system's enduring popularity suggests,
15:41the original Ural 375D 6x6 truck chassis is rugged and fit for purpose.
15:47Its all-wheel drive and high-ground clearance are exactly what's required
15:51to navigate the rough roads and off-road conditions of rural eastern Ukraine.
15:55However, the Ural 375D's 180hp engine means its speed is limited to around 46.6 mph on highways,
16:05increasing its exposure to aerial threats.
16:07That's a particular problem in the age of drones, because the forward cab for the driver and crew is unarmoured,
16:13emphasizing the Grad's prioritization of simplicity in rapid deployment over protected operations.
16:19But for Ukraine, there's an even bigger issue with the Ural 375D.
16:24The chassis and spare parts are made in Russia.
16:26Relying on supplies from its enemy is obviously completely unfeasible.
16:30So, ever since the early 2000s, Ukraine has been actively mounting its Grad launches onto upgraded truck chassis.
16:37In particular, the Ukrainian-made Kras 260 and its modern successors, like the Kras 6322.
16:44The advantages of using the Ukrainian chassis extend well beyond the procurement of parts.
16:49It's much more powerful, for one thing.
16:51The Kras 260 is powered by the Yam's 238L 14.9L V8 diesel engine, which produces 300hp,
17:00as compared to the 180hp offered by the Ural 375D's Zill 375 7-litre V8 petrol engine.
17:08The diesel engine also provides significantly better fuel economy, doubling the truck's operational range to around 620 miles.
17:15The more powerful Kras engine maintains a superior power-to-weight ratio, improving acceleration and hill-climbing ability when fully
17:23loaded with rockets.
17:24But the Kras 260 also doubles the capacity to a 9-ton payload, allowing the addition of heavier modern equipment,
17:31such as armored cabs, automated reloading systems, and extra ammunition storage.
17:36The Kras chassis is specifically designed to integrate more easily with modern digital fire control systems, GPS navigation, and automated
17:45stabilization units,
17:46which reduce setup time by up to four times and improve accuracy.
17:51That's why since the early 2000s, Ukraine has been actively developing new variants of the Grad based on the Kras
17:57chassis.
17:58These include the BM-21K, which features a modified double-cab Kras 260 chassis with an improved fire control system.
18:06The Bastion 1 and Bastion 2 are also modernizations based on the Kras 260 chassis, with the latter featuring storage
18:13space for an additional 40 missiles.
18:15There's also the Verba, a modernization based on a modified double-cab Kras 6322 chassis with a digital fire control
18:23system.
18:24Ukraine has even developed a Mini-Grad that uses pipes from the original BM-21 Grad mounted on pickup trucks.
18:31These Mini-Grads fire three missiles in a row, as opposed to ten, albeit with greater accuracy.
18:37According to Ukrainian military analyst Oleksandr Musyienko, there are three advantages in using Mini-Grads.
18:43Their extra mobility enables them to move fast.
18:46Units that have them can fire on a target without waiting to summon artillery from elsewhere.
18:51And they offer extra firepower for lightly armed infantry units.
18:54But the Ukrainian Grad innovations certainly don't stop there.
18:58In May 2026, the 50th Artillery Brigade showcased modernized BM-21 variants with brand new anti-drone protection.
19:07The most noticeable feature of the upgraded Grad systems is the extensive additional armor.
19:12The launch tube assembly has been fitted with a grill made of solid grating extending in the direction of fire,
19:18a common feature of this type of weapon system.
19:21There's also a complex mesh structure in front of the vehicle's cab that closely resembles similar designs seen on Ukrainian
19:27tanks and armored vehicles.
19:29The structure can be folded up or down as needed, allowing simplified access to the engine for maintenance or repairs.
19:35When folded up, it almost certainly provides better visibility of the road ahead.
19:40Dome-shaped electronic warfare equipment has also been mounted on the top of the cab, a necessity on today's drone
19:46-saturated battlefields.
19:48The doors have also been fitted with reinforced grills designed to improve crew survivability against kamikaze drones.
19:54So, all of Ukraine's Grad variants have become significantly more survivable.
20:00And now, thanks to the introduction of EM&E's guidance kit, their rockets are in the same ballpark of accuracy
20:06as the HIMARS and M270.
20:08That gives Ukraine a new edge on the battlefield.
20:11Its Grad variants are no longer just useful for saturating an area with terror.
20:15They can now deliver 40 pinpoint strikes in a matter of seconds, and at a fraction of the cost of
20:21firing HIMARS rockets.
20:23GMLRS rockets cost approximately $150,000 to $200,000 each and rely on Western supply chains, making them a scarce
20:31resource reserved for high-priority targets.
20:34Atacom's missiles cost between $1 million and $1.7 million per unit, depending on the variant.
20:40By comparison, a standard unguided BM-21 rocket costs in the region of $1,000 to $10,000, depending on
20:47the manufacturer, age and type of missile.
20:50True, to ensure hitting a specific target directly, you'd probably only need to fire a single GMLRS or a TACOMS
20:56missile,
20:57whereas a full salvo of 40 unguided BM-21 rockets would likely be required to achieve the same effect.
21:03That reduces the cost difference significantly.
21:06But with the introduction of the EM&E kits, the cost for a guided precision rocket just fell through the
21:11floor for Ukraine.
21:12And that's likely to be just the first major benefit from what looks like an exciting new partnership for the
21:18Ukrainian military.
21:19Because the collaboration with EM&E doesn't stop at guidance kits.
21:23In May 2025, Ukro Boromprom signed a memorandum with EM&E to jointly develop weapons and localize Spanish module production
21:31within Ukraine.
21:32Separately, Ukrainian UAV manufacturer Skyton signed a cooperation agreement with the company in March 2026.
21:40What these agreements mean in practice isn't entirely clear yet.
21:43But a quick look at the other systems being developed by EM&E surely makes unpleasant viewing for the Russian
21:48leadership.
21:49The company's flagship product is the Guardian 30 Remote Turret, and it's reportedly already in action in Ukraine.
21:56This is a remotely controlled weapons station armed with a 30mm automatic cannon, typically the MK-44 Bushmaster II, and
22:04a coaxial 7.62mm machine gun.
22:07It's designed for integration onto armored vehicles like Ukraine's BTR-34 or crash chassis to provide enhanced crew protection.
22:16EM&E also makes the Guardian 2.0 RWS, a lighter remote weapon station capable of mounting medium 7.62
22:23or 12.7mm machine guns for 40mm automatic grenade launchers.
22:29It features advanced day-night cameras and laser rangefinders for precision engagement.
22:33The company also produces specialized electronic warfare and kinetic systems designed to detect and neutralize drones.
22:41These include drone detection radars and jamming systems that can be integrated with their turrets,
22:47or deployed as standalone static mobile units to protect forward operating bases.
22:52EM&E also provides advanced virtual training simulators for armored vehicle crews and artillery operators,
22:58enabling cost-effective training without live ammunition consumption.
23:02We'll of course keep you updated as Ukraine and EM&E introduce even newer systems,
23:07so make sure you're subscribed to the channel to hear about it first.
23:11In the meantime, check out this video about how Ukraine is constructing a robot army.
23:16Thanks for watching.
Comments