PARIS, FRANCE — June 19, 2026 : Spanish defense company Escribano Mechanical & Engineering (EM&E) has begun mass production of its new Alkon 122 Laser – A2L guidance kit, a semi-active laser guidance module designed to convert standard 122-mm rockets into precision-guided munitions. The system was officially presented during the Eurosatory 2026 defense exhibition in Paris.
The Alkon 122 Laser – A2L was developed at the request of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to improve the accuracy of legacy multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS) operating in environments heavily affected by electronic warfare (EW). The new kit is intended to enhance the combat effectiveness of existing Soviet-era rocket inventories while reducing dependence on entirely new missile systems.
Developed to Counter Electronic Warfare
Since 2023, EM&E has supplied Ukraine with more than 10,000 units of its earlier Alkon 122–A22 correction kit. That system uses a hybrid combination of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and Inertial Navigation System (INS) guidance to improve the accuracy of standard 9M22U and similar 122-mm rockets.
According to the company, the A22 version can achieve a circular error probable (CEP) of approximately 15 meters under normal operating conditions. However, the growing use of Russian electronic warfare systems capable of jamming satellite navigation signals has reduced the effectiveness of GNSS-dependent guidance systems in some operational areas.
To address this challenge, EM&E developed the Alkon 122 Laser – A2L, which incorporates a semi-active laser seeker during the terminal phase of flight. The company states that the laser-guided version can achieve a CEP of less than 3 meters, even when GNSS signals are being disrupted.
Technical Features
The modernization kit is designed to convert existing unguided rockets into precision-guided munitions without requiring modifications to launch platforms or significant changes to existing ammunition stocks.
Key specifications of the Alkon 122 Laser – A2L include:
- Additional Weight: 5.5 kilograms added to the front section of the rocket.
- Length Increase: Less than 375 millimeters.
- Flight Control System: Four independently controlled nose canards that deploy immediately after launch.
- Laser Seeker: Operates at a wavelength of 1064 nanometers.
- Guidance Method: Uses GNSS/INS navigation during the cruise phase before transitioning to semi-active laser homing during the terminal attack phase.
The four-canard configuration represents an upgrade over the previous satellite-guided version, which used two control surfaces. This design provides greater maneuverability and improved accuracy during the final approach to the target.
Compatibility and Range
The Alkon 122 Laser – A2L is compatible with standard 122-mm launch tubes, including the widely used BM-21 Grad multiple-launch rocket system and its modern derivatives. The kit can also be used with portable single-barrel launchers capable of firing 122-mm rockets.
Depending on the type of rocket being upgraded, the system offers an effective range of 20 to 40 kilometers while maintaining compatibility with existing launch infrastructure. This allows operators to improve strike precision without replacing current launcher fleets.
The guidance kit can be integrated with standard 20-kilometer rockets as well as extended-range 40-kilometer variants, enabling armed forces to modernize large stockpiles of existing ammunition at relatively low cost.
Deliveries to Ukraine Underway
EM&E confirmed that deliveries of the laser-guided modernization kits began during the first quarter of 2026. The company stated that at least 1,000 Alkon 122 Laser – A2L units have already been supplied to Ukraine.
The deliveries form part of broader defense cooperation between Spain’s defense industry and Ukraine. By upgrading existing Soviet-designed rockets already available in Ukrainian inventories, the system provides a cost-effective method of improving precision-strike capabilities without relying entirely on newly manufactured guided munitions.
Defense analysts note that such upgrade kits can significantly increase operational effectiveness while reducing ammunition expenditure, as fewer rockets may be required to engage a target successfully.
Broader Product Portfolio on Display
In addition to the Alkon guidance family, EM&E is showcasing several other defense technologies at Eurosatory 2026. Among them is the company’s new ODIN 6x6 Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS) platform, designed to counter drone threats, along with its latest generation of remote weapon stations and electro-optical systems.
Headquartered in Alcalá de Henares, Spain, EM&E specializes in guidance technologies, remote weapon stations, mortar systems, and defense electronics. The company’s Alkon series is designed to convert unguided rockets, artillery projectiles, and mortar rounds into precision-guided munitions, providing improved accuracy while utilizing existing ammunition stocks.
The launch of the Alkon 122 Laser – A2L reflects ongoing efforts to modernize legacy weapon systems for current battlefield requirements, particularly in environments where electronic warfare poses a challenge to satellite-based navigation systems.
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