240 mm MRL
North Korean multiple rocket launcher, used by Russia
North Korean truck-mounted 240mm multiple rocket launcher with 22 tubes (the older M-1985 has 12). It fires unguided, spin-stabilised rockets out to ≈ 40–60 km, a full salvo in about 45 seconds. According to Ukrainian Defence Intelligence (HUR), North Korea delivered some 120 launchers to Russia from late November 2024; Russian use in Kursk region has been confirmed on video since April 2025, with improvised anti-drone cages. North Korea is developing a guided rocket for the system: on 22 Sep 2026 it tested, according to KCNA, a version with autonomous precision guidance and a 100 km range (115 km with a glide phase) — whether it will also go to Russia is unknown. Not a VKS weapon, but within that range a direct threat to air-defence sites, radars, airfields and logistics close behind the front.
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- Launcher
- Current version on Howo 6x6 (older versions on other trucks)
- L × W × H
- 10.45 × 2.54 × 3.34 m
- Weight
- 14 t (combat)
- Missile (weight)
- 240 mm rocket, 407 kg
- Dimension source
- US Army TRADOC Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)
General
- Type
- Multiple rocket launcher (MRL), 240 mm
- Origin
- North Korea (DPRK); M-1985 (12 tubes), M-1991 (22 tubes)
- Chassis
- Wheeled truck (6×6); a Chinese chassis in footage from Russia
- Delivered to Russia
- ≈ 120 launchers from late Nov 2024 (HUR/Budanov, Jan 2025 — not independently confirmed); use in Kursk on video since Apr 2025
Performance
- Max range (unguided)
- ≈ 22–32 NM (40–60 km), depending on rocket
- Salvo
- 22 rockets in ≈ 45 s; reload ≈ 10 min
- Guided rocket (test 22 Sep 2026, KCNA)
- Autonomous precision guidance; ≈ 54 NM (100 km) ballistic, ≈ 62 NM (115 km) with combined glide phase — state claim, not independently confirmed
Threat
- Effect
- Area fire with unguided rockets; with the guided rocket, precision fire to > 50 NM behind the front line
- Countermeasure
- Counter-battery fire (GMLRS/HIMARS: first confirmed kill in Kursk, Apr 2025), drones, dispersal and shoot-and-scoot
- Threat level
- High — the guided version would raise the threat to AD sites and airfields
News archive 1
Analysed reports from the RU Mil Tracker about this system, newest first. Archive since 2026-07-17.
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В КНДР испытали новый управляемый снаряд 240-мм РСЗО
Citing North Korea's state news agency KCNA, the Russian milblogger channel WarGonzo reports that the DPRK has tested a guided rocket for an upgraded 240mm multiple rocket launcher. The channel says the rocket has a self-guided precision system. It gives the range as 100 km on a ballistic trajectory and up to 115 km on a combined glide trajectory. WarGonzo…