Russia Introduces Upgraded Sarma 300mm Launcher on KamAZ-63501 Vehicle

Russia : At a defense exposition in Perm, Motovilikhinskiye Zavody showcased the latest evolution of Russia's 300mm multiple-launch rocket system (MLRS), the Sarma. Mounted on the KamAZ-63501 8×8 truck chassis, this new variant signifies a significant advancement in Russian artillery capabilities.

Design and Mobility

The Sarma MLRS is built on the KamAZ-63501 chassis, a robust 8×8 wheeled platform known for its high cross-country mobility and rapid deployment capabilities. This wheeled design offers advantages over traditional tracked systems, such as the Smerch, by enhancing strategic mobility and reducing logistical constraints. The vehicle's armored cab provides increased protection for the crew, ensuring operational safety in diverse combat environments.

Firepower and Precision

Equipped with a six-tube 300mm launcher, the Sarma is compatible with a range of munitions, including legacy 9M55 series rounds with ranges up to 70 kilometers, and advanced guided rockets like the 9M542, 9M544, and 9M549, which can reach targets up to 120–130 kilometers away. These guided munitions employ inertial navigation with satellite correction, rotating stabilization, deployable control surfaces, and programmable autopilots to achieve high accuracy. The system can deliver a full salvo in under 19 seconds, demonstrating its rapid strike capability.

Evolution from the Kama Project

The Sarma MLRS is a direct continuation of the earlier Kama project, which aimed to produce a lighter, more road-mobile 300mm launcher using KamAZ truck chassis instead of heavy tracked carriers. While Kama prototypes were shown at events like MAKS 2007, they remained experimental. The Sarma integrates lessons from subsequent modernization programs, including the Tornado-S upgrades of the Smerch family and the Vozrozhdeniye bi-caliber program, emphasizing modular launch packaging, guided munitions, and truck mobility.

Operational Doctrine and Strategic Impact

The Sarma MLRS is designed for rapid deployment and redeployment, allowing for quick strikes and minimizing exposure to counter-battery fire. Its architecture supports modular wheeled launchers, resupply and reloader elements, and organic reconnaissance and targeting assets, facilitating a flexible and responsive artillery doctrine. This approach enhances the Russian military's ability to deliver precision firepower across a theater while maintaining high mobility and survivability.

The unveiling of the Sarma MLRS marks a significant step forward in Russian artillery modernization. By combining the mobility of wheeled platforms with the precision of guided munitions, the Sarma enhances the Russian military's capability to deliver rapid and accurate fire support in various combat scenarios. As part of a broader strategy to modernize and diversify artillery systems, the Sarma represents a key component in Russia's evolving military doctrine.