The BM-21 "Grad" is a self-propelled 122 mm multiple rocket launcher designed in the Soviet Union. The system and the M-21OF rocket were first developed in the early 1960s, and saw their first combat use in March 1969 during the Sino-Soviet border conflict. BM stands for boyevaya mashina, and the nickname grad means "hail". The complete system with the BM-21 launch vehicle and the M-21OF rocket is designated as the M-21 field-rocket system. The complete system is more commonly known as a Grad multiple rocket launcher system.
A Russian BM-21-1 on display in Saint Petersburg in May 2009
A BM-21-1 launch vehicle during a military parade in Yekaterinburg, May 2009.
A BM-21 launch vehicle.
The 9P138 launch vehicle of the Grad-1 multiple rocket launcher system.
Sino-Soviet border conflict
The Sino-Soviet border conflict was a seven-month undeclared military conflict between the Soviet Union and China in 1969, following the Sino-Soviet split. The most serious border clash, which brought the world's two largest communist states to the brink of war, occurred near Damansky (Zhenbao) Island on the Ussuri (Wusuli) River in Manchuria. Clashes also took place in Xinjiang.
Disputed areas in the Argun and Amur rivers. Damansky/Zhenbao is to the south-east, north of the lake.
Zhenbao (Damansky) Island
A Soviet ship using a water cannon against a Chinese fisherman on the Ussuri River, 6 May 1969
The Soviet T-62 tank that was captured by the Chinese during the 1969 clash is now on display at the Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution.
