Germany will provide Ukraine with new military equipment from KMW. And it will be able to significantly strengthen the Ukrainian artillery.
As part of the special project “Weapons of Victory”, Channel 24, together with the courageous brand Kozatska Rada, talks about weapons, which replenishes the arsenal of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In particular, about the artillery systems that Ukraine will receive from Germany.
But you can not only watch the news, but also bring the victory closer with donations. Kozatska Rada offers to join the charity initiative “Donate for the victory!”.
To take part in the project, you need to choose your favorite drink of the Kozatska Rada brand and register the excise stamp code on the site. After that, you will automatically join the charity event, and 10 hryvnias from the purchase will be transferred to the “Come back alive” fund.
In the meantime, all Ukrainians support the Armed Forces of Ukraine, we are talking about helping the West. In particular, a third long-range “brother” will appear in service with the Armed Forces of Ukraine. We are talking about the German MLRS Mars II, which is actually an analogue of the M270 MLRS, but a more modern, more technologically advanced and much faster multiple launch rocket system.
History of Creation
MLRS Mars II appeared thanks to the German company KMW. This is a fairly well-known concern engaged in the manufacture of military equipment with an emphasis on armored vehicles. However, some of its units create and modernize the MLRS. In particular, Mars II, which came into service with the Bundeswehr in 1990.
The task of the engineers was to create a MLRS that could destroy not only the enemy's manpower, but also destroy heavy armored vehicles and fortified positions. The first developments showed that Mars II is ideally suited for this. In addition, this technique received a small additional option – remote mining of the area, which expanded the range of capabilities and the performance of various tasks of this weapon.
Mars II – a modern multiple launch rocket system/Photo by the German Ministry of Defense
This MLRS was created on the basis of the M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle. Due to the fact that Mars II is on a tracked chassis, it easily overcomes most obstacles. And in general, such a base gives it the patency of the tank.
Consequently, a long tracked base and a powerful engine allow Mars II to easily move even meter walls, overcome ditches 2.5 meters wide, and also cross a meter ford. This makes the German MLRS a universal weapon on the battlefield.
Tactical and technical characteristics and shells
Dimensions of this “beast” not at all small. Mars II is more than 2.5 meters high, almost 3 meters wide, and its length reaches almost 7 meters. The whole installation weighs 26.5 tons.
And although the dimensions of the MLRS are considerable, a 500 horsepower engine can accelerate it to 64 kilometers per hour. Not bad at all for a tracked base. Mars II has a range of 480 kilometers.
But the most important thing is the weapons. Mars II is equipped with a salvo of 12 rockets that can fly out to a distance of 80 kilometers. In order to manage and maintain this MLRS, only three people are needed: a commander, a driver and a gunner. Almost all calculations and calculations are made by the computer of this launcher, so the Mars II is very convenient to maintain.
In addition, the digital fire control system allows not only to calculate the ballistic trajectory, determine the coordinates of the target and position MLRS in space, but also allows the operator to use a variety of ammunition. It all depends on the task and the specifics of the battle.
Mars II has many advantages over other MLRS/Photo by the German Ministry of Defense
< h3 dir="ltr">Mars II can accurately fire:
- fragmentation cumulative warheads. These munitions are homing for surgical accuracy over long distances and at the same time minimizes the danger to foreign objects. After all, Mars II is a precision weapon.
- The second type of projectile is cluster.They are used in cases where you need to remotely replace the terrain. As mines – anti-tank AT2. However, using such shells, the range is almost halved. Cluster parts can conduct aimed fire at a distance of up to 40 kilometers.
In total, Mars II supports 7 different types and types of projectiles, ranging from training missiles with a range of up to 9 kilometers to ballistic missiles that can hit enemy targets at a distance of up to 300 kilometers. However, there is no talk of providing Ukraine with such long-range systems. For APU, the best option is a distance of up to 80 kilometers.
All the advantages of Mars II on the battlefield: watch the video
Speed of use and capabilities
Mars II is a very technological weapon. It even looks like the American M270 MLRS, because it is also on a tracked base, has a salvo of 12 missiles, is well armored and supports a variety of ammunition. However, the German MLRS is more advanced and faster to use.
So, in 1 minute this MLRS gives out its full salvo of 12 missiles. All these missiles are placed in 2 launch containers – 6 shells each. After firing, the system requires 5 minutes to recharge. And this is fast enough, considering that in order to completely replace the containers, you need to dump empty boxes and load new ones, already loaded. By the way, all the mechanisms necessary for this process are installed on the turntable itself. So no additional hardware is required.
The time to bring to combat readiness is only 2 minutes. During this time, automated systems will determine the position of the MLRS in space, calculate ballistic indicators, the trajectory of the projectiles, weather conditions, and the installation will be ready to fire.
Digital capabilities are very powerful here. In particular, the fire control system was developed by Airbus Defense and Space. It was called EFCS – this is a new, European software created specifically for such powerful and modern weapons.
Mars II is a very technological weapon/Photo by the German Ministry of Defense
The cost of one such MLRS starts from 2.5 million dollars. It all depends on the configuration and missiles. This is a good investment, because, in addition to high-precision strikes over long distances, this system can remotely mine the area. And the creation of minefields is always a significant obstacle for the enemy, slowing down offensive actions.
The United States and Britain have already provided Ukraine with long-range multiple launch rocket systems. They managed to make a lot of problems for the invaders at the front. And the German MLRS will be an ideal addition to such a deadly and long-range weapon.
Ukrainians are indestructible and drive the invaders from their land step by step! While the whole world admires us, Kozatska Rada accompanies the victory. After all, Kozatska Rada is a brand with a Ukrainian character: unrestrained, like a weapon, courageous, like all our people.
