Russia continues to support Libya with new delivery of BM-30 Smerch 300mm rocket launchers.

According to a picture shared by the X account of Mohamed Tailamun on May 26, 2025, the Libyan National Army (LNA) publicly unveiled Russian-supplied BM-30 Smerch 300mm multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) during a military parade in Benghazi. Marking the 11th anniversary of Operation Al-Karama, a campaign launched in 2014 by the LNA against Islamist factions in eastern Libya, this parade included several armored vehicles, air defense systems, and artillery units not previously seen in public, many of which are of Russian origin.
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The BM-30 Smerch is used to neutralize large-area targets such as troop concentrations, artillery batteries, air defense installations, supply depots, and command posts. (Picture source: X/Mohamed Tailamun)

Among the artillery platforms revealed during the event was the BM-30 Smerch, a 300mm multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) developed by the Soviet Union in the 1980s. The Smerch system is mounted on a MAZ-543M 8x8 truck chassis and is capable of launching twelve rockets within 38 seconds. Each rocket has a maximum range of 90 kilometers, depending on the warhead type, and is designed to deliver various munitions, including high-explosive fragmentation, thermobaric, anti-tank submunitions, and anti-personnel cluster warheads. The system is typically operated with a battery-level fire control infrastructure, which includes a command vehicle and resupply trucks. It is equipped with automated targeting and satellite navigation systems, allowing for improved accuracy and reduced response time between detection and launch. This combination of mobility, range, and payload flexibility positions the Smerch as one of the most powerful conventional artillery systems currently in service.

The BM-30 Smerch is used to neutralize large-area targets such as troop concentrations, artillery batteries, air defense installations, supply depots, and command posts. Its long-range firepower allows it to engage targets deep in enemy-controlled territory while remaining outside the effective range of many counter-battery systems. The system’s ability to rapidly saturate a wide area with heavy munitions provides a significant advantage during offensive and defensive operations, enabling force commanders to disrupt or degrade enemy formations before direct contact occurs. Its flexibility in munition selection allows tailored effects based on mission objectives, making it a versatile tool for shaping the tactical environment and suppressing adversary capabilities across a broad operational depth. The integration of modern navigation and targeting aids further enhances the Smerch's utility for long-range indirect fire missions under conditions of limited visibility or limited reconnaissance support.

As of May 2025, Russia has significantly expanded its military presence in Libya, primarily through support for Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar's Libyan National Army (LNA). Following the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, Russia has redeployed military assets, including advanced air defense systems like the S-300 and S-400, and various other equipment, from Syria to Libya. The LNA's air capabilities have also been enhanced through the acquisition of MiG-29 and Su-24 combat aircraft, which are operated by Russian mercenaries. These transfers have been facilitated through upgraded airbases such as al-Khadim, al-Jufra, and Brak al-Shatti, which now serve as logistical hubs for Russian operations across Africa. The deployment of the Africa Corps, a Russian Ministry of Defense-controlled force that succeeded the Wagner Group, has further solidified Russia's presence, with personnel numbers reportedly exceeding 2,000. Additionally, Russia is reportedly negotiating for naval access in Tobruk to establish a Mediterranean foothold near NATO territories. While the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity opposes this growing Russian influence, Haftar's alliance with Moscow continues to strengthen, positioning Libya as a central node in Russia's broader strategy to project power across Africa and the Mediterranean.

The BM-30 Smerch offers the Libyan National Army (LNA) a multiple launch rocket system capable of expanding the LNA’s artillery strike capability beyond the range of its existing 122mm Grad systems. This system enables LNA units to engage adversaries before entering the effective range of conventional counterfire capabilities, thereby enhancing stand-off strike capacity. The appearance of the Smerch in eastern and central Libya suggests that LNA formations are preparing for engagements that may require such indirect fire support. The system’s integration into the force structure indicates a broader strategic shift that allows LNA commanders to plan operations involving long-range strikes without direct confrontation, potentially targeting infrastructure or supply lines. This also introduces considerations for opposing forces, who must now account for increased depth in LNA firepower and adapt their deployments accordingly.