9M21 rocket

The 9M21 is the Soviet unguided, spin-stabilized artillery rocket created for the 9K52 Luna-M/FROG-7 system. Open-source references place its first launch in 1961 and mass production and service entry in 1964, with series production at the Barrikada plant and a launcher relationship centered on the wheeled single-rail 9K52 platform.

9M21 rocket, Unguided artillery rocket, Munitions

Image source: FROG-7 Rocket.jpg

Profile

Origin: Soviet Union
Built by: Barrikada plant
Type: Unguided artillery rocket
Service note: Cold War era

NATO rocket artillery strike unguided

Specifications

Guidance: Unguided, spin-stabilized flight
Propulsion: Single-stage solid-fuel rocket motor
Range: About 70 km
Warhead: About 550 kg; HE, nuclear, or chemical variants
Launch method: Single-rail wheeled TEL with crane-assisted reloads
Accuracy: CEP roughly 400-700 m

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: First launched in 1961; entered mass production and service in 1964.

Launch Platforms

The 9M21 was created for the wheeled Luna-M complex and fired from its single-rail launcher.

Launcher

Launcher type

Launch evidence

9K52 Luna-M artillery rocket system

Single-rail launcher

Missilery.info says the upgraded Luna-M complex was created for the 9M21 missile, and Weaponsystems.net identifies the Luna-M launch vehicle as carrying a single 9M21 rocket on its launch rail.

Sources: 9M21 rocket, Tactical missile system 9K52 Luna-M

9M21 rocket Images

9M21 rocket, Unguided artillery rocket, Munitions - view 1 — Source: FROG-7 Rocket.jpg

9M21 rocket, Unguided artillery rocket, Munitions - view 2 — Source: 9T29 Transporter with 9M21 rocket

9M21 rocket, Unguided artillery rocket, Munitions - view 3 — Source: Luna m frog 7 hameenlinna 2.jpg

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Sources

9M21 rocketPublisher: WeaponSystems.net | Note: Supports the 9M21 rocket's unguided, spin-stabilized design, solid propellant motor, range envelope, and relationship to the 9K52 Luna-M single-rail launcher. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Tactical missile system 9K52 Luna-MPublisher: Missilery.info | Note: Supports the 9M21 missile's creation for the Luna-M complex, first launch in 1961, mass production and service in 1964, and Barrikada plant series production context. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 FROG-7 Rocket.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the public-domain U.S. Army photo of an Iraqi FROG-7 / 9M21 rocket being loaded. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 9T29 Transporter with 9M21 rocketPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the public-domain museum photo of a 9T29 transporter with a 9M21 rocket. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Luna m frog 7 hameenlinna 2.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the public-domain museum display photo of the FROG-7B / Luna-M missile system. | Accessed: 2026-06-23