Artillery

Sakr-40 multiple rocket launcher

The Sakr-40 is an Egyptian 122 mm multiple rocket launcher in the Sakr family, using a 40-round launcher compatible with Sakr and Grad-pattern rockets. In the Yemen Civil War, Oryx identifies 122 mm Sakr-40 launchers among Houthi-held systems inherited from pre-war Yemeni Army stocks, placing it in the conflict's unguided area-rocket artillery inventory.

Conflict side
Houthi-aligned forces
Built by
SAKR Factory for Developed Industries
Built in
Egypt
Sakr-40 multiple rocket launcher, 122 mm self-propelled multiple rocket launcher, Artillery

Profile

Type
122 mm self-propelled multiple rocket launcher
Conflict side
Houthi-aligned forces
Origin
Egypt; Yemeni examples inherited from pre-war Yemeni Army stocks
Service note
Cold War-derived Egyptian 122 mm system documented in Yemeni stocks during the current civil war
rocket artillerywheeledsaturation fires

Service History

In service
In Yemeni stocks before and during the Yemen Civil War
Used by
Houthi-aligned forces, Pre-war Yemeni Army, Egyptian Army
Wars
Yemen Civil War

Production History

Designer
SAKR Factory for Developed Industries
Designed
Developed after Egyptian BM-21 license production began in 1978
Built by
SAKR Factory for Developed Industries
Built in
Egypt
Unit cost
Forecast International listed a fully loaded truck-mounted Sakr-40 at about $331,000 in 2002 dollars
Produced
Serial production on an as-needed basis reported in 2002
Number built
Forecast International reported 402 Sakr 21-, 30-, and 40-round mobile launchers produced by January 1, 2002
Variants
Sakr 21 / RL-21, Sakr 30 / RC-30, Sakr 40

Specifications

Caliber
122.4 mm rockets
Launcher
40 launch tubes in the Sakr-40 configuration
Compatible rockets
Sakr 10, Sakr 18, Sakr 30, and Russian-pattern Grad rockets
Maximum range
Up to 36 km with Sakr 30 rockets; about 20 km with Sakr 18 rockets
Launch vehicle
Truck-mounted on ZIL-131, Ural-4320, Mercedes-Benz 1222A/36, or similar vehicles; related launchers were also mounted on ATS-59G tracked carriers
Crew
Three to five depending on platform
Aiming
Electrohydraulic training and elevation mechanism with manual backup

Conflict Usage

Yemen Civil War
Side: Houthi-aligned forcesRole: Inherited area rocket artillerystrike

Houthi-aligned forces fielded 122 mm Sakr-40 multiple rocket launchers from pre-war Yemeni Army stocks, giving them a Grad-compatible area-fire system for unguided rocket salvos.

Sakr-40 multiple rocket launcher Images

Related Weapon Systems

BM-27 Uragan, 220 mm self-propelled multiple launch rocket system, ArtilleryArtilleryBM-27 Uragan220 mm self-propelled multiple launch rocket systemThe BM-27 Uragan is a Soviet 220 mm wheeled multiple launch rocket system built around a 16-tube launcher on the ZIL-135LM chassis. Its heavier rockets give it greater payload and range than BM-21 Grad-class systems, with warhead options including high-explosive fragmentation, cluster, and mine-scattering rounds. In the Russia-Ukraine War it remains a legacy heavy rocket artillery system used for area fires, minelaying, and counter-battery targets by forces that inherited or captured Uragan-family stocks.

Sources