Ukrainian military started using Romanian APR-40 MRL

10 May, 2023 Romanian APR-40 MRL in Ukraine. Frame from the video The Ukrainian gunners received Romanian APR-40 multiple rocket launchers.

A video featuring MRLs was released on social media. There have been no previous reports of the transfer of these weapons to the Ukrainian military. The published footage recorded four APR-40 MRL.

The exact amount of equipment used by the Ukrainian gunners is unknown.

?The first video of the ??Romanian 122-mm MLRS APR-40 system in service with the Armed Forces of ??Ukraine. Previously, the transfer of this system to the Armed Forces of Ukraine was not reported, nor is the number that was transferred unknown. pic.twitter.com/t1IynwdcZr -- ??Ukrainian Front (@front_ukrainian) May 9, 2023

APR-40 MRL is a licensed Romanian copy of BM-21 Grad MRL.

They were developed by Aerostar S.A. The launcher is installed on the chassis of the DAC 665T truck with a wheel arrangement of 6x6. The DAC 665T MRL can fire with both single shots and volley fire.

The full volley time is 30 seconds. The control can be executed both from the cockpit and remotely. The maximum firing range is 20.5 km.

Photo from open sources

APR-40 was adopted in 1978. Romania also has an upgraded version of this MRL - the Larom MLRS. This version of the APR-40 was developed by Aerostar S.A. in collaboration with the Israeli IMI.

Photo from open sources

The Larom launcher can be mounted on various DAC chassis. Two launch containers are used on one vehicle that can launch missiles of two calibers - standard 122mm Grad rockets and 160mm IMI LAR Mk.4 rockets. LAR Mk.4 rockets have twice the range of 45 km.

Romanian media emphasize that, as of now, there is no information about negotiations on the transfer of Larom systems.

In addition, they emphasize that such assistance would also require Israeli consent.

It is also worth noting that Romania's military aid to Ukraine is not public.