Russian media have released images of a modified BM-21 Grad multiple launch rocket system (MLRS), showcasing an upgraded design aimed at countering modern battlefield threats.
The system, reportedly in service with the “Sever” military grouping, features a reinforced armored cabin and enhanced anti-drone protection.
The newly revealed modifications include additional armor shielding for the crew cabine, a protective mesh over the rocket launchers to guard against drone strikes, and an electronic warfare (EW) system. These changes highlight Russia’s efforts to adapt its aging Soviet-era military hardware to the evolving threats posed by Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), particularly first-person-view (FPV) attack drones.
The modifications come as Russian forces seek ways to mitigate losses on the battlefield.
According to Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, FPV drones have had a devastating impact on Russian equipment. In January alone, Ukrainian drone strikes accounted for 66% of Russian military losses, with an overall increase of 7% in targets hit compared to December. Nearly half of these attacks were carried out using FPV drones, with Ukraine’s 46th Airmobile, 3rd Assault, and 80th Air Assault Brigades leading the effort in drone warfare.
The emergence of battlefield-adapted Grad systems suggests that Russian forces are seeking to extend the survivability of older platforms while countering the increasing reliance on drone warfare.