122 mm 9M43 Grad rocket

Also known as

9M43
122 mm 9M43
9M43 Grad rocket

The 122 mm 9M43 is a Russian Grad-family smoke rocket developed and produced by Splav for the BM-21 multiple launch rocket system. Deagel describes it as a 122 mm unguided rocket projectile with a 20.2 kg smoke-screen-laying warhead, five smoke submunitions, and a 20.2 km maximum range.

122 mm 9M43 Grad rocket, Smoke rocket, Munitions

Image source: Soviet 122 mm Artillery Rocket Image

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin: Russia
Built by: Splav
Type: Smoke rocket
Service note: Cold War-era rocket in continued service
Designed: 1963
Produced: 1963-present

122 mm rocket artillery smoke unguided

Specifications

Caliber: 122 mm
Role: Smoke-screen-laying rocket
Warhead: 20.2 kg
Submunitions: 5 smoke screen canisters
Range: 20,200 m
Length: 3.0 m
Weight: 66 kg
Temperature: -50 to +50 C

Launch Platforms

CAT-UXO and Deagel describe the 9M43 as a Grad-family smoke rocket for the BM-21 launcher.

Launcher

Launcher type

Launch evidence

BM-21 Grad, 122 mm multiple rocket launcher, Artillery

122 mm multiple rocket launcher

CAT-UXO identifies the Russian 9M43 as a 122 mm Grad rocket with five smoke canisters, and Deagel says it was developed and produced for the Grad multiple launch rocket system.

Sources: CAT-UXO 122mm 9m43 Grad rocket, Deagel 9M43

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: 1963-present

Media

122 mm 9M43 Grad rocket Images

122 mm 9M43 Grad rocket, Smoke rocket, Munitions - view 1 — Source: Soviet 122 mm Rocket Tail Fins Image

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Sources

Deagel 9M43Publisher: Deagel | Note: Supports the 9M43 as a 122 mm unguided rocket projectile fitted with a smoke-screen-laying warhead, including its five smoke submunitions, 20.2 kg warhead, 20,200 m range, 3.0 m length, 66 kg mass, 1963 IOC, Splav contractor, and Grad launcher relationship. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 CAT-UXO 122mm 9m43 Grad rocketPublisher: CAT-UXO | Note: Supports identification of the Russian 122 mm 9M43 as a carrier containing five smoke canisters and a Grad-family rocket designation. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 Soviet 122 mm Artillery Rocket ImagePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for a public-domain 122 mm rocket photograph used as contextual gallery media. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 Soviet 122 mm Rocket Tail Fins ImagePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for a public-domain photograph showing the tail fins of a Soviet 122 mm artillery rocket. | Accessed: 2026-06-27