Ecuador Modernizes Its Artillery Capabilities with BM-21 Grad Rocket Launcher Mounted on Modern 6x6 Kamaz PTC 43118 Combat Vehicle.

According to an article dated June 27, 2024, published by the Spanish newspaper Indodefensa, the Ecuadorian army recently conducted firing exercises with the 122.4 mm Kamaz BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launch system. These maneuvers, carried out at the San Antonio de Villamil firing range, were conducted by the Calderón 80 Multiple Launcher Artillery Group. The main objective of these exercises was to test the maximum range of the system and to train its operators to effectively target enemy combat echelons while avoiding counter-battery fire.
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BM-21 Grad Rocket Launcher Mounted on Modern 6x6 Kamaz PTC 43118 Combat Vehicle (Picture source: Ecuador MoD)

Introduced in 2018, the Kamaz BM-21 Grad system replaces the older Ural 375-D 4x4 truck with the more robust and modern 6x6 Kamaz PTC 43118 combat vehicle. This vehicle is equipped with a 6.7-liter Cummins TD E6 226kW engine, which offers better performance and reliability in the field. This vehicle choice is part of an ongoing effort to enhance the operational capabilities of the Ecuadorian army.

As a reminder, the 6x6 Kamaz PTC 43118 truck is a robust tactical vehicle platform, designed to meet the rigorous demands of military operations and challenging terrain. Featuring a 6x6 chassis, this truck provides excellent all-terrain capability, allowing safe and effective travel over diverse terrains, from deserts to wooded areas and mountainous environments. The 6.7-liter, 226 kW Cummins TD E6 engine provides the necessary power to transport heavy loads, including artillery systems like the BM-21 Grad rocket launcher, while maintaining good fuel economy and reliable performance. This combination of power, mobility, and load capacity makes the Kamaz PTC 43118 an ideal choice for armed forces that require a vehicle capable of rapidly deploying heavy weapons and handling logistics in demanding conditions.

The BM-21 Grad is a truck-mounted multiple rocket launcher known for its robustness and rapid-fire capability. Equipped with 40 launch tubes of 122 mm, arranged in four layers of ten, the system can launch a salvo of rockets covering a wide area, making it ideal for suppressing targets such as anti-tank missile positions, artillery, and enemy strong points. The launcher is mounted on a mobile and elevatable platform, allowing firing angles from 0 to +55 degrees in elevation, with a rotation of 60 degrees to the right and 120 degrees to the left, thus offering great targeting flexibility. The launch system is powered by a small generator integrated into the truck, and can be activated from the cabin or remotely via a 64-meter cable. After launching, reloading the BM-21 takes about 10 minutes with an experienced crew and the appropriate equipment, enabling a sustained firing rate in combat situations.

The success of this transition was greatly facilitated by the advice from Vradimaremeel, an expert in artillery system integration. Additionally, the collaboration with Advancecorp SA, the representative of Kamaz in Ecuador, helped secure the loan of the vehicles necessary to successfully carry out this modernization project.

These exercises demonstrate Ecuador's commitment to maintaining a robust defense and modernizing its military equipment in the face of contemporary challenges. The Kamaz BM-21 Grad system, with its enhanced long-range targeting capabilities and increased mobility, is a significant addition to the army's arsenal, thus strengthening its defensive posture and ability to respond effectively in case of conflict.