The Belarusian Armed Forces have begun receiving the upgraded Polonez-M multiple launch rocket (MRL) system. The Polonez-M is being developed by the Minsk-based Precision Electromechanics Plant (ZTEM), in co-operation with China. Belarus’ State Committee for Military Industry (GKVP) has already confirmed that the modernised system has passed firing tests, including the launch of a missile at a distance of 298.5 km in October 2017 in the Gomel Region of eastern Belarus. The modernised V-300RK Polonez-M MRL was shown at the recent MILEX 2021 exhibition in Minsk with an eight-cell launcher and a full-size mock-up of the upgraded A300 tactical surface-to-surface missile.
The upgraded missile features low radar cross-section and high manoeuvrability, flight speed, and diving speed in terminal phase. The Polonez-M is mounted on a modernised MZKT-7930-3013 8×8 heavy chassis, which is equipped with a new gearbox and life support system, and has heavier payload capacity. The vehicle typically carries eight canistered A300 missiles, which have a range of between 120 km and 290 km with a circular error probable (CEP) not exceeding 30 m. It is also capable of firing the earlier A200 munition, the firing range of which lies between 50 km and 200 km. The Polonez-M can simultaneously engage up to eight targets in a 20 km x 20 km area.
The V-200 Polonez MLRS was unveiled at the MILEX 2017 exhibition held in Minsk from May 20-22. The A300 missile has already entered the development phase and will be finalised in 2021. The first combat missile launches were carried out in China. In October 2016, the Polonez MLRS was delivered to the 77th Separate Rocket Artillery Battalion of the 336th Rocket Artillery Brigade. In September 2017, the battalion was involved in the Russian-Belarusian Zapad 2017 strategic exercise. In October 2017, the unit carried out the aforementioned firing test of the upgraded Polonez. In 2018, it was exported to Azerbaijan.
