Western intelligence agencies are actively studying the experience of the Russian army gained during the conflict in Ukraine and borrowing promising developments. At the same time, Russia, having encountered NATO weapons and military equipment, uses them to improve its own arsenal. One such example is the newest multiple launch rocket system "Sarma", which is already operating in the special military operation zone. RIA Novosti reports details about this weapon.

One of the most effective systems transferred by the West to Ukraine is considered to be the 227-mm M142 HIMARS MLRS manufactured by the American company Lockheed Martin. Its main advantage is the ability to conduct precision fire with M30 and M31 family shells at a range of about 85 kilometers, which is a significant indicator for this class of weapons. ER GMLRS ammunition is also being developed, which, according to statements, can hit targets at a distance of 150-200 kilometers, which actually turns the MLRS into an operational-tactical missile system.

In addition, HIMARS is highly mobile: the 6x6 wheel arrangement allows speeds of up to 90 kilometers per hour on the highway. Deployment and opening fire time is up to three minutes, a full salvo is 30 seconds, and folding up and leaving the position also takes up to three minutes. Thus, the American MLRS needs only six and a half minutes to complete a combat mission and hide, which makes it difficult to detect and destroy by reconnaissance and counter-battery means.

Judging by the objective control footage published by the Ministry of Defense, HIMARS can only be caught by surprise during reloading or movement. But even then, the clock is ticking. Since about 2023, thanks to the interaction of aerial reconnaissance and operational-tactical missile systems, American MLRS have begun to be confidently destroyed. Nevertheless, they remain one of the main long-range trump cards of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. And now, something similar has recently appeared in the Russian army.

The Sarma MLRS was first presented at the World Defense Show 2026 exhibition in Saudi Arabia in February. Development began in 2022, when it became obvious that the heavy Smerch and Tornado-S MLRS did not fully meet the requirements of modern warfare.

These systems have significant firepower: 12 rockets of 300 mm caliber of various types - from high-explosive fragmentation to cluster and thermobaric. However, their weight in combat position exceeds 40 tons, which negatively affects mobility and cross-country ability, and consequently survivability. A salvo of an MLRS is visible from the air for tens of kilometers, so the main task of artillerymen is to leave the position as quickly as possible. These considerations were taken into account when creating the Sarma.

The launcher is mounted on an all-wheel drive KamAZ-63501 chassis with an 8x8 wheel arrangement and an armored cab. Instead of 12 guides, six are installed, which significantly reduces weight and dimensions. The time for preparation for firing and leaving the position is about three minutes, and a full salvo of six rockets is about 18 seconds. For comparison, open data for Tornado-S indicates 40 seconds for a full salvo, for the basic Smerch - 38 seconds. Thus, Sarma is inferior to older systems in the number of rockets in one salvo, but it expends its reduced ammunition load faster and potentially changes position faster.

The second advantage is weight. A fully loaded Sarma weighs no more than 28 tons. This is not as light as the 16-ton HIMARS, but significantly lighter than the 40-ton Smerch. At the same time, the Russian MLRS is capable of reaching speeds on the highway of up to 95 kilometers per hour.

The third advantage is a high degree of unification. According to published data, Sarma can use 300-mm unguided Smerch projectiles and guided munitions 9M544 and 9M549 used by Tornado-S. This simplifies supply and allows the new system to be introduced into the troops without creating a completely separate infrastructure for the production and storage of ammunition.

Finally, Sarma is oriented towards point application. When firing guided projectiles, the system is capable of hitting individual command posts, radar facilities, artillery positions, warehouses and other important objects. In this regard, Sarma is closer to the concept of highly mobile rocket artillery than to the classic MLRS designed for massive area salvo.

The army received a light but powerful, mobile and very accurate artillery system for a wide range of tasks - from point destruction of targets in the enemy rear to counter-battery warfare at operational depth. The range of GLONASS-corrected rockets 9M542 of 120 kilometers is quite sufficient for this. In addition, Sarma has a special munition that launches a UAV over the target for reconnaissance and fire adjustment. In certain situations, the MLRS crew can operate autonomously, without relying on external target designation.

Probably, the main task of Sarma in the special operation zone will be hunting enemy drone crews. The power of 300-mm rockets is enough to level a fortified dugout. Destroying enemy drone operators is necessary to protect one's own assault infantry during an offensive.

The special operation serves as a testing ground not only for Western countries. Russia also studies enemy equipment and tactics, modernizing the army in accordance with new threats. The Sarma MLRS is the result of four years of experience in a high-intensity armed conflict. And if a large-scale clash with NATO lies ahead, many such systems will be needed.

Source: RIA Novosti