Russian MoD to Purchase More Brand New Multiple Rocket Launchers by 2020

The Russian Defense Ministry will purchase around 700 more multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) of three different types, produced by the Russian Motovilikha Plants manufacturer, by 2020, Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov said Friday.

PERM (Russia) (Sputnik) – Russia is currently implementing a large-scale rearmament program to modernize 70 percent of its military hardware by 2020.

“Motovilikha produces all three types [of the MLRSs] — Tornado-G, a new type, and Uragan and Smerch, which are new modifications of Tornado-S. The volume of purchases in the current state program of armaments is very large, about 700 more systems should be purchased,” Borisov said during a visit to the plant.

According to Borisov, Russian MLRS are second only to Kalashnikov assault rifles in terms of export opportunities.

“I think that in the newly proposed state program of armaments, these systems will be in demand, because of qualitative changes to the characteristics of the MLRSs, which are becoming high-precision weapons,” the deputy minister added.

Russia is currently implementing a large-scale rearmament program, announced in 2010, to modernize 70 percent of its military hardware. The total modernization program cost is estimated to reach about 20 trillion rubles (some $291 billion at the current exchange rates).

Motovilikha Plants JSC manufactures both metallurgical and military equipment. Besides MLRSs, the company produces field artillery guns, self-propelled artillery and mortars.