ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Army has successfully conducted field tests of a newly received Ghazab multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) unit, equipped with 122mm rockets, marking a significant step in strengthening its conventional artillery firepower.
The tests, carried out by an artillery unit under controlled field conditions, demonstrated the system’s operational readiness, accuracy, and integration with existing platforms. Military sources indicate that the exercise focused on verifying launch procedures, rocket trajectory stability, and overall performance metrics following recent procurement.
The Ghazab MLRS, also designated as KRL-122 in official records, represents an indigenous adaptation of the widely deployed BM-21 Grad system originally developed by the Soviet Union. Pakistan has progressively localised production and upgrades through institutions such as Kahuta Research Laboratories and Pakistan Ordnance Factories.
This variant mounts on truck chassis, initially Isuzu models and later Reo M35 platforms, providing high mobility across diverse terrains. The system features 40 launch tubes capable of firing salvos in rapid succession, delivering saturation fire over a broad area.
Central to the Ghazab’s effectiveness is its compatibility with the Yarmuk rocket series, indigenously manufactured by Pakistan Ordnance Factories. These fin-stabilised 122mm rockets offer a maximum range exceeding 40 kilometres, surpassing standard Grad munitions in reach and lethality.
The Yarmuk projectile incorporates a warhead weight of approximately 18-19 kilograms, with options for high-explosive fragmentation effects optimised for area targets. Enhanced propellant configurations contribute to improved ballistic performance and reduced dispersion.
The Ghazab system’s combat credentials extend beyond Pakistan’s borders. Azerbaijani forces deployed the KRL-122 variant during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in 2023, utilising it against fortified positions with reported success in suppressing enemy defences.
In that theatre, the system demonstrated reliability under operational stress, launching both original 122mm rockets and Pakistani Yarmuk munitions to achieve decisive fire support. Observers noted its contribution to rapid barrages that overwhelmed opposing artillery and troop concentrations.
The BM-21 Grad family, upon which Ghazab is based, has seen extensive use in multiple global conflicts, including the ongoing war in Ukraine. There, Grad systems have been employed by both sides for counter-battery fire and area denial, proving resilient despite intense electronic warfare environments.
Reports from Ukrainian battlefields highlight the Grad’s high volume of fire—capable of unleashing 40 rockets in under 20 seconds—creating devastating effects on soft targets and infrastructure. Its simplicity, low cost, and ease of maintenance have sustained widespread operational utility.
Similar patterns emerged in other theatres, where 122mm MLRS platforms provided critical massed firepower in asymmetric and conventional engagements alike. The system’s salvo capability compensates for individual rocket inaccuracy through sheer quantity, a doctrine refined over decades.
For the Pakistan Army, incorporating additional Ghazab units aligns with broader modernisation efforts aimed at bolstering conventional deterrence. Artillery modernisation remains a priority amid regional security dynamics, emphasising indigenous development to reduce external dependencies.
The recent tests underscore successful integration of locally produced ammunition with the platform. This approach enhances logistical sustainability, allowing sustained operations without reliance on imported components for core munitions.
Defence analysts view the Ghazab as a cost-effective force multiplier within the army’s artillery divisions. Its mobility enables rapid deployment along contested borders, while the extended range of Yarmuk rockets expands engagement envelopes against time-sensitive targets.
The exercise also served to train personnel on updated procedures, ensuring seamless transition for newly inducted systems. Crews practised reload operations, targeting data input, and post-launch manoeuvres to evade counter-fire.
Pakistan’s artillery inventory already includes complementary systems such as Chinese-origin PHL-81 variants and advanced guided MLRS like the Fatah series. The Ghazab fills a niche for unguided high-volume fire support, complementing precision strikes from longer-range assets.
Official statements have not disclosed the quantity of newly received units, but the focused field testing suggests phased induction to build operational experience. This follows established patterns in Pakistan’s defence procurement, prioritising trials before full deployment.
The Ghazab’s proven track record in diverse environments reinforces confidence in its reliability. From mountainous regions in Nagorno-Karabakh to open plains in other conflicts, the platform has adapted effectively, underscoring its versatility.
As regional threats evolve, systems like the Ghazab contribute to layered defence strategies. They provide responsive fire support, enabling ground forces to maintain initiative in fluid operational scenarios.
The successful completion of these trials highlights the Pakistan Army’s commitment to continuous capability enhancement. By leveraging battle-tested designs with local innovations, the military advances self-reliance in critical weaponry domains.
Future exercises are expected to incorporate live-fire validations under varied conditions, further refining tactics and procedures associated with the Ghazab MLRS.