Ukraine deploys its new Grim-2 mobile ballistic missile to fight Russian troops

According to a video released by the Russian Ministry of Defense on March 30, 2023, the Ukrainian armed forces will have deployed its new locally-made Grim-2 short-range ballistic missile system. In the video released by the Russian Ministry of Defense, the spokesperson for the Russian Ministry stated that the air defense allegedly intercepted one operational-tactical missile, "Grim-2".
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The Grim-2 mobile ballistic missile system was presented for the first time to the public during a military parade in August 2018. (Picture source Wikimedia)

The Grim-2, also known as Hrim, Grom, or OTRK Sapsan (Ukrainian: ОТРК "Сапсан", meaning 'peregrine falcon'), is a short-range ballistic missile system developed by Ukraine's Pivdenne Design Office and A.M. Makarov Southern Machine-Building Plant.

The Grim-2 design was developed in 2013, and in brochures released at the international arms exhibition in Ukraine, the operational-tactical missile system was called "Hrim". Testing of the experimental model of the "Hrim" system was initially planned for the winter of 2015, but due to bureaucratic obstacles related to the restructuring of the State Space Agency of Ukraine, the tests were postponed to autumn 2016.

The launcher vehicle for the Grim-2 ballistic missile was unveiled to the public for the first time during a military parade held in August 2018. In April 2019, it was reported that a prototype operational-tactical complex from the "Southern" Design Bureau was ready for testing in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The Grim-2 can be considered the Ukrainian counterpart to the Russian Iskander, a mobile short-range ballistic missile. The plan was for the Hrim-2 to replace the Tochka-U short-range ballistic missiles in Ukrainian service, which have a range of 120 km and currently serve as the primary ballistic missile for the Ukrainian Army.

The Grim-2 operational-tactical missile system is being developed to target individual and group stationary targets at distances ranging from 50 to 280 km. The single-stage ballistic missiles warhead is designed with a mass of 480 kg. The payload can be configured as a unitary or cluster. The unitary configuration uses a fragmentation-high-explosive or penetrating fragmentation-high-explosive payload. The cluster payload is equipped with fragmentation-high-explosive sub-munitions. The missile's estimated impact area with a fragmentation-high-explosive payload is over 10,000 m², while a cluster charge covers 2-3 hectares. The missile, together with its 7.2-meter launch container, weighs 3.5 tons. The missile's onboard control system is inertial and comes with various navigation and guidance systems, such as radar-based and optoelectronic systems.

Multiple sources suggest that the 280 km range is a formal limitation for the export version of the missile. However, for its own army's requirements, the system's firing range could be increased to 450-500 km.

The TEL (Transporter Erector Launcher) vehicle is based on a Ukrainian-made 10x10 truck chassis, powered by a 600 hp Deutz turbo diesel engine. The truck carries two missiles in individual containers located at the rear of the truck. In the firing position, the missiles are erected vertically at the rear of the truck chassis.

The Grim-2 TEL Transporter Erector Launcher truck carries two ballistic missiles. (Picture source Wikimedia)