YEREVAN — May 27, 2026 : Armenia has unveiled a newly developed digitalized and automated 8-tube 122mm light Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) mounted on an Indian-made Tata LPTA 713 4x4 military truck chassis, with the platform observed during military rehearsals in central Yerevan ahead of the Republic Day event scheduled for May 28. The appearance of the system reflects Armenia’s continued military modernization efforts and expanding defense cooperation with India.
The new artillery platform was spotted on the streets of Yerevan as Armenian military units rehearsed for the Republic Day event, which will take place at Republic Square to commemorate the founding of the First Republic of Armenia. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has described the event as a public presentation of military capabilities acquired in recent years, including imported and domestically produced systems introduced as part of wider defense reforms. The display is also expected to include newly introduced field and ceremonial military uniforms.
The newly observed system features an 8-tube launcher chambered in the 122mm caliber, a widely used rocket artillery standard traditionally associated with the Soviet-origin BM-21 Grad family of systems. Unlike conventional 40-tube Grad launchers designed for saturation bombardment, Armenia’s lighter configuration prioritizes mobility, lower weight, and a reduced logistical burden. The compact design is intended to provide a more flexible rocket artillery capability capable of rapid deployment and relocation in difficult terrain.
The system is reported to incorporate digitalized and automated fire control technologies aimed at improving operational efficiency. Modern automated fire control systems enable launch crews to calculate firing coordinates, receive target information through secure digital networks, and align launch tubes without extended manual preparation. Such capabilities can significantly reduce deployment and firing times, supporting “shoot-and-scoot” tactics in which artillery units reposition quickly after launch to reduce vulnerability to counter-battery fire.
A key feature of the system is its integration onto the Tata LPTA 713 4x4 military truck chassis manufactured by Tata Motors. The Tata LPTA 713 is a light tactical military vehicle widely used by the Indian Army in the 2.5-ton class and designed for transport and operational support roles across rugged terrain. The platform is powered by a six-cylinder inline water-cooled Cummins diesel engine and features live axles, differential locks, hydraulically assisted clutch systems, independent pneumatic-hydraulic braking circuits, and a gradeability of approximately 31 degrees. Its high ground clearance and off-road mobility make it suitable for operations in mountainous environments such as the South Caucasus.
The Armenian variant provides a stable platform capable of carrying light rocket artillery while maintaining tactical mobility across uneven terrain. The combination of a compact launcher system and a highly mobile chassis suggests an emphasis on rapid deployment, operational flexibility, and reduced logistical requirements compared to heavier rocket artillery systems.
The appearance of the Tata-mounted MLRS follows Armenia’s broader effort to diversify military procurement and deepen defense ties with India. In recent years, Yerevan has acquired a range of Indian military systems, including the Pinaka multiple launch rocket system, ATAGS artillery systems, anti-tank munitions, Swathi weapon-locating radars, and the Akash-1S air defense system. The mounting of a domestically developed or modified Armenian rocket launcher on an Indian-made chassis indicates growing technical integration between the defense sectors of the two countries.
The Armenian Ministry of Defense has stated that Republic Day activities will include the display of military equipment acquired during recent reforms, while Armenian Air Force units have also conducted training flights over central Yerevan as preparations continue. Authorities have additionally restricted unauthorized filming and photography of military equipment movements until after the May 28 event.
No official technical specifications, including firing range, ammunition compatibility, automation details, or targeting systems, have yet been released by Armenian authorities. The new 8-tube 122mm light MLRS has not been formally introduced by the Ministry of Defense and is expected to receive wider public attention during the Republic Day event at Republic Square.
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