Ukraine received Czech Striga MLRS
8 November, 2023 Czech BM-21MT Striga MRL. Photo credits: Excalibur Army The Ukrainian military received Czech Striga 122mm multiple-launch rocket systems.
The military posted a video of the new system. The BM-21MT Striga has been deployed to the 61st Mechanized Brigade. Its artillerymen demonstrated the use of the artillery system against the invaders at the front line.
It is not yet known whether the Czech rocket launcher was transferred as part of military aid or was purchased by Ukraine. The Striga is a further development of the Soviet-era 122-mm BM-21 Grad rocket launcher, which has received a number of updates to the guidance system and a new lightweight two-axle chassis. In addition to this system, the artillery units of the 61st Brigade are also armed with the heavier Czech RM-70 Vampire, mounted on a four-axle chassis and equipped with an automatic loading system and additional portable ammunition.
Striga MLRS
BM-21MT Striga is a multiple-launch rocket system manufactured by the Czech defense company Excalibur Army. These missile systems were first spotted in Ukraine in April last year.
They were not later captured, which may indicate their small number in the ranks of the Defense Forces of Ukraine.
A Ukrainian soldier and a Czech BM-21MT Striga MLRS, April 22, 2018
The artillery asset of the MLRS is represented by a launcher with 40 tubes. It is equipped with computing, inertial navigation, and communication systems, which has significantly improved its accuracy, automated processes, and reduced the time of deployment in position compared to the original Grad. The Czech Striga MLRS is capable of using all Soviet-era 122mm rockets, including the latest Iranian and Serbian modifications, with a range of up to 40 km.
In addition, the system is capable of using Israeli Accular-122 guided artillery rockets, which can hit targets at a distance of up to 35 km with a circular error probability of up to 10 meters.
Accular-122 rocket launcher.
Photo credits: Israel Military Industries
The 17-ton Striga is based on a two-axle chassis of the Czech Tatra Force 815-7 army truck.
It is equipped with a 362 horsepower Tatra T3C-928-8T diesel engine, which provides a top speed of 90 km/h.