SAA deploys Russia made BM-30 Smerch to shell salafists

BM-30 Smerch mobile artillery. Entered service in 1989 in the last days of the Cold War. 300 mm diameter. Range up to 90 km. Can be armed with cluster warheads. Deadly. It first seen action outside Russia in 2014 in the Ukraine war when Ukraine army used it against rebels in southeastern Ukraine.

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What possible target could they have found that justifies the deployment of a heavy multiple rocket launcher system?!

a reply to: Painterz

Possibly bunkers. Personnel and pickups in open fields are easy targets for cluster munitions.

originally posted by: Painterz
What possible target could they have found that justifies the deployment of a heavy multiple rocket launcher system?!

Ammunition dumps and large concentrations of light vehicles & manpower primarily.

You don't want to be on the receiving end of the Smerch at any rate.

Guess this finally confirms the Smerch in the Syrian Arsenal. It was rumoured and suspected for a long time.

a reply to: Ohanka

Like the post above mine...ammo dumps, but also convoys of vehicles get wiped in short order with these guys.

IIRC, the Syrian Army used this system earlier in Syria. I saw a video of launching and the terminal end.
The target was a town.
I believe it was used in the siege of Homs by Syrian forces in 2014.