Artillery

Scorpion 120 mm mortar system

Also known as
  • Scorpion mortar system
  • Scorpion Mobile Mortar System
  • Scorpion 81mm/120mm Mortar System
  • ALAKRAN S
  • Alakran-S
  • ALAKRAN L
  • ALAKRAN XL
  • Scorpion Light

The Scorpion 120 mm mortar system is the U.S.-marketed name for Milanion NTGS's Alakran vehicle-mounted mortar family, combining an 81 mm or 120 mm mortar, automated laying, digital fire control, and ground-transmitted recoil management. Ukrainian and defense-industry reporting documented Alakran/Scorpion use in 2023-2024, including Kharkiv-region combat and later 210th Assault Regiment training with Spain-supplied VAMTAC-mounted systems.

Scorpion 120 mm mortar system, vehicle-mounted 81 mm / 120 mm mobile mortar system, Artillery
Image source: Global Ordnance Scorpion AUSA

Role in Conflicts

2014 Russia-Ukraine War
Fire Support

Ukrainian and defense-industry reporting in October-November 2023 documented Ukrainian use of Scorpion/Alakran 120 mm self-propelled mortars, including Kharkiv-region combat reporting tied to Ivanivka and Kraken-unit footage.

Role details
Why It Matters In Ukraine

The Scorpion record is centered on mobility, automated laying, and crew survivability rather than on a unique mortar tube. ArmyInform described the current Russo-Ukrainian counter-battery and drone environment as a reason static mortar positions are exposed, while Ukrainian soldiers emphasized the Alakran/Scorpion's rapid setup, two-person crew, and fast displacement after firing.

Fire mission

Rapid indirect fire from a light vehicle platform, using automated laying and digital fire control to shorten time at the firing point.

Sources: Global Ordnance Scorpion AUSA; ArmyInform Alacran Scorpion Mobility.

System identity

Scorpion is the U.S.-marketed name for ALAKRAN, Milanion NTGS's vehicle-mounted mortar family outside the U.S. market.

Sources: Defense Advancement Scorpion Agreement; Milanion Group ALAKRAN.

Known limits

Open sources support Ukrainian battlefield use and system-level specifications, but not public totals delivered or unit cost.

Sources: Defence Blog Scorpion Ukraine; Defense Express Alakran 210th Assault Regiment.

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
Spain / United Kingdom
Type
vehicle-mounted 81 mm / 120 mm mobile mortar system
Service note
Early-2020s mobile shoot-and-scoot mortar system documented in Ukrainian service during the full-scale Russia-Ukraine war.
Designer
Milanion NTGS
Designed
Early 2020s public marketing period
Unit cost
Not publicly reported
Produced
Early 2020s-present
Number built
Not publicly reported

Specifications

Caliber
Interchangeable 81 mm or 120 mm mortar
Primary weapon
Vehicle-mounted 81 mm / 120 mm mortar with non-seating baseplate
Configurations
ALAKRAN S is an 81 mm lightweight configuration; ALAKRAN L and ALAKRAN XL are 120 mm configurations for medium or higher-payload vehicle classes
Base vehicle
Toyota Land Cruiser in Global Military Products' 2022 data; the Spanish Army reported a VAMTAC S3 test installation and says Alakran can be mounted on vehicles weighing 1.5 tonnes or more without structural reinforcement
Ammunition capacity
40 rounds of 120 mm ammunition or 72 rounds of 81 mm ammunition in Global Military Products' AUSA data
Maximum range
About 8,000 m with 120 mm ammunition and 6,500 m with 81 mm ammunition in Global Military Products' data
Rate of fire
12 rounds in the first minute, then 4 rounds per minute in Global Military Products' data
Fire control
Fully digital fire-control system with ballistic calculation, electro-mechanical aiming/re-aiming, GIS functions, zonal firing, and multiple-round simultaneous-impact support
Aiming and re-aiming
Global Military Products lists electro-mechanical aiming and re-aiming in 3-5 seconds; the Spanish Army test article lists an 8-second re-aim figure for its VAMTAC S3 demonstrator
Recoil management
Baseplate-led recoil management transmits firing loads into the ground rather than into the host vehicle
Mobility
Designed for rapid shoot-and-scoot operation; Global Military Products advertised eight rounds in two minutes from stop to go
Crew
Defense Express reported a two-person Ukrainian crew of commander and driver-assistant
Weight
Global Military Products lists about 1,200 kg for the Scorpion package and about 3,250 kg total on a Land Cruiser before barrel and ammunition
Configuration Logic

Milanion's current ALAKRAN language separates the family by host-vehicle class and fire-support role. ALAKRAN S is the 81 mm lightweight rapid-reaction member; ALAKRAN L and XL are 120 mm packages for medium, higher-payload, or protected platforms. The Scorpion name applies to the U.S.-marketed version of that same vehicle-mounted mortar family.

S

81 mm lightweight package for compact, agile vehicle platforms and rapid-reaction fire support.

L

120 mm medium-platform package balancing heavier mortar effect with tactical mobility.

XL

120 mm package for higher-payload or protected platforms and longer-endurance fire-support missions.

Sources: Milanion Group ALAKRAN; Defense Advancement Alakran Family.

Variants

Scorpion is the U.S.-marketed name for the ALAKRAN family, while Milanion's current public configuration language separates the family into S, L, and XL packages scaled by caliber, vehicle class, and fire-support role.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
ALAKRANInternational-market designation

Defense Advancement describes Scorpion as the U.S. name for ALAKRAN, while NTGS and Milanion use ALAKRAN for the broader vehicle-mounted mortar family.

Sources: NTGS ALAKRAN, Milanion Group ALAKRAN, Defense Advancement Scorpion Agreement, Defence Blog Scorpion Ukraine

ALAKRAN S81 mm lightweight rapid-reaction configuration

Milanion describes ALAKRAN S as the 81 mm member optimized for lightweight vehicle platforms, and Defense Advancement reported its IDEX 2023 debut on a Polaris RZR-class platform.

Sources: Milanion Group ALAKRAN, Defense Advancement Alakran Family

Scorpion LightU.S.-marketed light configuration

Defense Advancement linked Scorpion Light to the lightweight ALAKRAN S configuration and described it as a Polaris MRZR-mounted system for SOF and airborne operations.

Sources: Defense Advancement Scorpion Agreement

ALAKRAN L120 mm medium-platform configuration

Milanion presents ALAKRAN L as a 120 mm configuration for medium vehicle classes that balances range, effect, and tactical mobility.

Sources: Milanion Group ALAKRAN

ALAKRAN XL120 mm protected-platform configuration

Milanion presents ALAKRAN XL as a 120 mm configuration for higher-payload or protected platforms and extended fire-support missions.

Sources: Milanion Group ALAKRAN

Timeline

Scorpion 120 mm mortar system Key Events

  1. Spanish Army evaluation workshops

    Spain's Army reported that an Alakran technological demonstrator appeared at San Gregorio training-center workshops from 21-26 November 2018 during Force 35 experimentation.

    Sources: Spanish Army Alakran Testing

  2. Spanish Legion live-fire evaluation

    The Spanish Legion's 8th Group began live-fire testing of an NTGS Alakran adapted to a VAMTAC S3, evaluating deployment, withdrawal, and fire missions.

    Sources: Spanish Army Alakran Testing

  3. ALAKRAN S debuts at IDEX

    Milanion NTGS introduced the lighter ALAKRAN S configuration at IDEX 2023, with Defense Advancement describing an 81 mm rapid-fire-support system integrated with a Polaris RZR.

    Sources: Defense Advancement Alakran Family

  4. U.S. Scorpion agreement announced

    Defense Advancement reported Milanion NTGS's agreement with Global Ordnance for Global Military Products to lead U.S. sales and project management of Scorpion.

    Sources: Defense Advancement Scorpion Agreement

  5. Scorpion reported in Ukrainian combat use

    Defence Blog reported Ukrainian Scorpion mortar use during Kharkiv-region fighting against Russian forces, including Ivanivka and Kraken-unit context.

    Sources: Defence Blog Scorpion Ukraine

  6. 210th Assault Regiment Alakran coverage

    Defense Express reported Ukrainian 210th Assault Regiment material showing Alakran/Scorpion systems on URO VAMTAC vehicles in Ukrainian service.

    Sources: Defense Express Alakran 210th Assault Regiment

Media

Scorpion 120 mm mortar system Videos

Scorpion 120 mm mortar system Images

Scorpion 120 mm mortar system, vehicle-mounted 81 mm / 120 mm mobile mortar system, Artillery - view 1
Source: Global Ordnance Scorpion AUSA
Scorpion 120 mm mortar system, vehicle-mounted 81 mm / 120 mm mobile mortar system, Artillery - view 2
Source: Global Ordnance Scorpion AUSA
Related Weapon Systems
120 mm mortar launcher, Heavy mortar launcher, ArtilleryArtillery120 mm mortar launcherHeavy mortar launcherA 120 mm mortar launcher is a heavy indirect-fire weapon class used to fire high-angle mortar bombs from a tube, baseplate, and bipod, a towed mount, or a vehicle system. This generic entry is for source-backed cases where public evidence identifies the caliber and mortar role but not a precise national model, including Ukrainian 120-mm mortar fire near Chasiv Yar, probable 120 mm mortar shelling in Yemen, Gaddafi-era use around Misratah, and a Nigerien seizure from Boko Haram fighters.
2S40 Floks, 120 mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer/mortar, ArtilleryArtillery2S40 Floks120 mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer/mortarThe 2S40 Floks is a Russian 120 mm wheeled self-propelled gun-mortar developed by Burevestnik under the Nabrosok artillery program and mounted on an armored Ural-4320 6x6 chassis. Open reporting ties it to Russian battlefield use in Ukraine from October 2023, where Ukrainian drone units documented strikes against newly fielded systems while Rostec and defense references describe the platform's combined mortar, howitzer-style indirect-fire, and direct-fire roles.
9K115 Metis, Man-portable anti-tank guided missile system, Infantry WeaponsInfantry Weapons9K115 MetisMan-portable anti-tank guided missile systemThe 9K115 Metis is a Soviet/Russian man-portable, wire-guided anti-tank guided missile family developed for company-level infantry anti-armor fire. The original AT-7 Saxhorn used a lightweight launcher and 94 mm missile for short-range engagements, while the Metis-M and Metis-M1 upgrades moved to larger 130 mm missiles with tandem HEAT and thermobaric options. Its documented conflict use spans Russian and Ukrainian Metis-M fielding in Ukraine, Houthi use in Yemen, Syrian rebel use, and Hezbollah's anti-tank missile threat in the 2006 Lebanon War.
120 mm M1982 mortar, 120 mm towed heavy mortar, ArtilleryArtillery120 mm M1982 mortar120 mm towed heavy mortarThe 120 mm M1982 mortar is a Romanian smoothbore heavy mortar built as a late Cold War replacement for older Reșița and Soviet PM-43-pattern 120 mm mortars. It combines a conventional tube, bipod, triangular baseplate, and two-wheel transport carriage with Romanian service adaptations for truck towing, short-distance crew movement, and mountain-troop pack transport. Direct conflict evidence is narrow but usable: Romanian troops are documented firing the M1982 in Afghanistan in 2008.

Sources

Global Ordnance Scorpion AUSAPublisher: Global Ordnance | Note: Supports the Scorpion 81 mm / 120 mm designation, Global Military Products marketing context, Toyota Land Cruiser example, ammunition capacity, rate of fire, range, fire-control features, weight, and image provenance. | Accessed: 2026-07-13NTGS About UsPublisher: Milanion NTGS | Note: Supports NTGS company identity, UK headquarters, Spain and UAE engineering/manufacturing facilities, and mobile mortar systems focus. | Accessed: 2026-07-13NTGS ALAKRANPublisher: Milanion NTGS | Note: Supports ALAKRAN 81 mm / 120 mm mortar integration, smoothbore or rifled mortar compatibility, digital fire-control, aiming, recoil-management, cooling-system, vehicle-integration, and official image provenance. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Milanion Group ALAKRANPublisher: Milanion Group | Note: Supports ALAKRAN as Milanion's vehicle-mounted mobile mortar capability, S/L/XL configuration split, digital fire-control, baseplate-led recoil management, barrel cooling, and vehicle-independent integration. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Spanish Army Alakran TestingPublisher: Ejercito de Tierra | Note: Supports Spanish Army 2018-2019 Alakran evaluation milestones, NTGS attribution, VAMTAC S3 installation, 81 mm / 120 mm capability, recoil-management, fire-control, deployment, ammunition capacity, rate-of-fire, and image provenance. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Defense Advancement Scorpion AgreementPublisher: Defense Advancement | Note: Supports Milanion NTGS and Global Ordnance / Global Military Products roles, the Scorpion and Alakran naming relationship, 120 mm / 81 mm automated mortar identity, vehicle payload flexibility, and Scorpion Light context. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Defense Advancement Alakran FamilyPublisher: Defense Advancement | Note: Supports Milanion NTGS's IDEX 2023 introduction of ALAKRAN S, 81 mm rapid-fire-support role, Polaris RZR integration, eight-round shoot-and-scoot claim, and FCS features. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Defence Blog Scorpion UkrainePublisher: Defence Blog | Note: Direct 2014 Russia-Ukraine War source for Ukrainian Scorpion mortar use in the Kharkiv region, and supporting source for 120 mm mobile mortar description, range, rate of fire, deployment time, and Alakran relationship. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Defense Express Scorpion BattlefieldPublisher: Defense Express | Note: Direct 2014 Russia-Ukraine War source for Ukrainian Scorpion battlefield use, Kraken-unit context, crew description, rapid deployment and displacement claims, digital fire-control description, and Ukrainian-service image provenance. | Accessed: 2026-07-13ArmyInform Alacran Scorpion MobilityPublisher: ArmyInform | Note: Direct 2014 Russia-Ukraine War source for Ukrainian forces' practical use of Alacran/Scorpion 120 mm self-propelled mortars, and supporting source for crew size, deployment/displacement, mobility, counter-battery and drone-threat context, and Creative Commons text-license context. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Defense Express Alakran 210th Assault RegimentPublisher: Defense Express | Note: Direct 2014 Russia-Ukraine War source for Ukrainian 210th Assault Regiment material showing Alakran mobile mortar systems on URO VAMTAC vehicles, and supporting source for delivery timing, 81 mm / 120 mm versions, range, fire rate, aiming, deployment, and Ukraine-frontline mobility context. | Accessed: 2026-07-13