Ukraine needs all the weapons it can get. Of course, military aid from the West is crucial for the survival of the Ukrainian defenses, but some weapons they can make themselves. The Ukrainian defense industry has always been very strong, but ingenuity on the field is no less impressive. For example, a BMW MLRS has not been spotted in the eastern part of the country.
Old 3-series BMW working as a multiple launch rocket system. (Screenshot)
An advantage of unguided rockets is that they are easy to fire. They are dumb in a way that they don’t know where they are headed. Like a bullet from a pistol, these missiles fly straight (well, as straight as they can) and hit whatever is at the end of their journey. They are not seeking targets, they don’t have active flight controls and navigation. This makes them less precise but very easy to integrate.
Because computers are basically not involved, unguided rockets are easy to launch. A recent Ukrainian field invention proves that. Someone in Ukraine has mounted a rocket launcher on an old 3-series BMW.
This rocket launch mechanism was taken from a BM-21 Grad and was mounted on a BMW sedan, making it into an improvised multiple launch rocket system (MLRS for short). Normally these things are mounted on a truck chassis, but due to their modular design they can be adapted to other things too. Like an E46 BMW.
It was reported that this particular BMW MLRS is serving with the 114th territorial defense brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and is supporting troops east of Klishchiivka not too far from Bakhmut.
Bakhmut, Ukrainian forces from the 114th TDF brigade have deployed their BMW 3-series MLRS to the front, seen here shelling the Russian positions east of Klishchiivka with 122mm Grad rockets. pic.twitter.com/vuvsukooBR
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) December 22, 2023
Is it accurate? It doesn’t have to be. The Grad itself wasn’t made to be accurate – it simply covers a large area where enemy troops and equipment are known to be.
Previously the defenders of Ukraine have been making improvised MLRS by mounting various unguided rocket launchers on pickup trucks. Again, they need to be unguided and fairly simple, with no computer integration of other fancy electronics. These rocket launchers were frequently taken from aircraft – there are many types of self-contained rocket launchers in military aviation.
Of course, the disadvantage of such improvised weapons is that they have a rather short range and are quickly destroyed with drones or counter-battery fire. However, they are cheap, quick to make and highly mobile. And the defenders of Ukraine are using everything they can get their hands on.
Written by Povilas M.
Source: Focus.ua