History, Development, and Use
of the BM-25 Multiple Rocket Launcher

 

This section will cover the history, development, and use of the BM-25 multiple rocket launcher. In this section you will find where the vehicle has been used, when it was designed, its limitations and abilities, and how the weapon functions.

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Brief Operational History

The BM-25 multiple rocket launcher was one of many rocket launcher systems fielded by the Soviets during the early days of the Cold War.  It was essentially a KrAZ-214 (6x6) truck chassis with a large frame for the six 250mm rockets.  The rockets were fueled with a storable liquid fuel propellant.

When it entered service it was the largest caliber multi-rocket launcher to be deployed in the post-war period by the Warsaw Pact.  Its service life was rather short.  It never saw action in combat in Soviet service. The only place the weapon system saw action was during the Yemeni civil war where they were used by the forces of South Yemen.

The BM-25 was eventually withdrawn from service when the BM-22 'Uragan' entered service.  It had much greater ammunition capacity (16 verses 6) and slightly greater range.  The solid fuelled rockets of the BM-22 'Uragan' were easier to maintain and reload in the field.  When it was pulled from service during the late 1970's the Warsaw Pact continued to hold them in reserve for many years.

  

Tactical Use and Limitations

The BM-25 was to be used as a heavy rocket bombardment vehicle organic to Army level rocket brigades.  When in transit the vehicle usually has a tarpaulin pulled over the rocket launching frame to protect the rockets from the elements.  When the BM-25 moves into its firing position the crew will lower two stabilizers from the rear of the vehicle.  Armored shutters are then lowered over the front windscreen to protect the crew from the exhaust of the rockets.

The primary limitation of the system was that the large 250mm rockets were fueled with a storable liquid propellant.  Liquid fueled rockets are much more difficult to maintain under field conditions when compared to their solid fueled counterparts.  Its small ammunition capacity (six rockets) were also another major tactical limitation.

 

Deployment Chronology

The BM-25 was introduced during a period of rapid transition from traditional artillery to rocket artillery where it served as a long range bombardment rocket.  It was eventually replaced by a more capable system in the late 1970's.  In this section you can see what vehicles the BM-25 replaced and what vehicles eventually replaced it.  You can find out more about each weapon system (if we have them on our site) by clicking on the links below.

The BM-25 replaced... BM-25 250mm
Multiple Rocket Launcher		 The BM-25 was replaced by...
Nothing, it was a new long range artillery rocket system. BM-22 'Uragan'

 

Sources Cited

Here are some of the most informative sources that we have used in compiling this information for you.  We hope you can find them as useful as we have.