BM-21 Grad vs TOS-1A: how to tell them apart

Two rocket artillery that are easy to mix up at a glance. Here is what tells them apart.

BM-21 Grad

Rocket artillery, Soviet Union. In service since 1963

What gives it away

Six-wheeled Ural truck with a bank of 40 thin launch tubes on the back.

Used by

Russia, Ukraine and over 50 other countries

TOS-1A

Rocket artillery, Russia. In service since 2003

What gives it away

Tank chassis carrying a large box-shaped rocket launcher in place of a turret.

Used by

Russia, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan

BM-21 Grad · TOS-1A · All guides