The RAK-SA-12, also marketed as the RAK-12 cal. 128mm and VLR 128 M91A3 RAK 12, is a Croatian light 12-tube multiple launch rocket system for unguided 128 mm rockets. Its low carriage weight, rapid salvo, and Ukrainian border-guard and brigade use during the 2014 Russia-Ukraine War make it a compact short-range fire-support launcher rather than a Grad-class long-range system.
Ukrainian reporting and defense media document Croatian RAK-SA-12 launchers with the State Border Guard Service from 2023, later including Kharkiv-sector border-guard use and HMMWV-mounted use attributed to border-guard and Azov Brigade units.
Role detailsThe Croatian RAK-12/RAK-SA-12 is a light 12-tube launcher built around rapid area fire, not precision guided attack. Agencija Alan describes it as firing self-propelled unguided rockets in adjustable sequential launches, while the manufacturer brochure frames the system around low weight, short deployment time, and compatibility with M91-series 128 mm rockets.
A full 12-rocket burst takes about 9.6 seconds, or crews can fire single rockets at about one per second.
The launcher is light enough for towing and has also appeared in Ukraine mounted on HMMWV-style vehicles for faster displacement.
Published specifications list a 25 m remote-controller cable, allowing the crew to fire away from the launcher.
Open references place the RAK-12/RAK-SA-12 in a wider Croatian and former-Yugoslav 128 mm rocket-artillery line. Army Guide records the VLR 128 M91A3 RAK 12 as a 12-round trailer-mounted system using the same unguided rocket family as the 24-round LOV RAK 24/128, and notes that RH ALAN acted as a marketing organization rather than the sole maker of all key parts.
Public sources use both RAK-SA-12 and RAK-12/VLR 128 M91A3 RAK 12 language for the Croatian 12-tube 128 mm launcher; M Adler D product data also lists a 107 mm option.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
| 128 mm towed RAK-SA-12 / RAK-12 | Primary 12-tube Croatian launcher | Agencija Alan lists the RAK-12 cal. 128mm with 12 tubes, 8,540 m maximum range with M91A1/A2 rockets, and a 975 kg loaded firing-position mass. Sources: Agencija Alan RAK-12 128mm |
| 107 mm RAK-SA-12 option | Manufacturer-listed caliber option | M Adler D product data lists the same RAK-SA-12 product family with both 128 mm and 107 mm calibers. Sources: M Adler D Product Data |
| Ukrainian HMMWV-mounted adaptation | Field vehicle mount | Army Recognition described Ukrainian use of a U.S.-supplied HMMWV pickup modified to carry the Croatian RAK-SA-12 for shoot-and-scoot fire missions. Sources: Army Recognition HMMWV RAK-SA-12 |
Defense reporting describes the RAK-SA-12 as a Croatian early-1990s light 12-tube launcher derived from the Yugoslav M-63 Plamen family, while Army Guide records the VLR 128 M91A3 RAK 12 designation in the Croatian 128 mm launcher family.
Sources: Army Recognition HMMWV RAK-SA-12, Army Guide VLR 128 M91A3 RAK 12
Defense Blog identified M Adler D as the Croatian company developing and producing the light RAK-SA-12 multiple launch rocket system.
Sources: Defense Blog RAK-SA-12 Overview
Defense Express reported RAK-SA-12 launchers among new Ukrainian State Border Guard Service weapons shown during a Border Guard Day event with President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Sources: Defense Express RAK-SA-12 Rare Footage
Defense Express described State Border Guard Service video showing RAK-SA-12 use in the Kharkiv direction and noted the system's 25 m remote-control cable and rapid firing modes.
Sources: Defense Express RAK-SA-12 Rare Footage
Army Recognition reported Ukrainian RAK-SA-12 launchers mounted on U.S.-supplied HMMWV pickups and attributed frontline use to border-guard and Azov Brigade units.
Sources: Army Recognition HMMWV RAK-SA-12
Defense Express reported RAK-SA-12 use by Ukraine's 3rd Border Guard Detachment fire-support unit in the Kupiansk sector.
Sources: Defense Express RAK-SA-12 Kupiansk Use
