The Polish M120 Rak was “spotted” for the first time in the Ukrainian Armed Forces: an expert told what kind of beast it is
Date: 2023-12-12 Author: Кирило Загоруйко Categories: WAR, MILITARY ASSISTANCE
The Ukrainian Armed Forces showed for the first time Polish M120 Rak self-propelled mortars. They are in service with the 44th separate mechanized brigade.
A video of a Polish mortar was published on the brigade’s YouTube channel. However, exactly how many M120 Rak the Ukrainian military has is not known for certain. Back in April, information appeared about plans to reinforce the Ukrainian troops with three companies of these vehicles - we are talking about 24 units.
Military-political observer of the Information Resistance group Alexander Kovalenko said that the M120 Rak is equipped with a digital fire control system, a thermal imager and a laser rangefinder, which does not limit its actions at any time of the day.
"The M120 Rak is a very good 120-mm self-propelled mortar, and in 2016 I was only in favor of receiving it for the Ukrainian Armed Forces as an expansion of the fleet with a small number of 2S9 Nona-SVs. But that was 2016, for which the M120 Rak and would really be a useful fighting vehicle,” he wrote.
According to him, the mortar itself is an automatic weapon with a length of 25 calibers, operating on the principle of a long recoil barrel, with loading occurring in any position, a wedge bolt with vertical movement and a hydraulic return system. The tower drive is electric, but in an emergency, manual control is activated, says Kovalenko. The mortar can also fire remotely.
“Fonet communication control system with RRC-9311AP radio station, hybrid navigation system. The crew has day and night surveillance devices, the commander has a 360-degree surveillance system,” he added.
The expert also said that the M120 Rak uses both standard OF843B and OF843A mines with a maximum range of 6,900 meters, as well as more modern OF843A/B mines, with a firing range of up to 8 km. But the “taste” is the RAK-HE-1 with a firing range of more than 10 km.
“In general, it would seem, a dream, and not ITSELF. And this is true. But, I repeat, in 2016... In the conditions of dominance in the airspace of Lancet loitering ammunition, drones, dense artillery and counter-battery fire, 7 km is nothing now. Someone will say, what about RAK-HE-1? But no way, because RAK-HE-1 is prohibited for export from Poland, which is closely monitored by the PGZ consortium. Actually, I repeat, M120 Rak - "This is a very good SAMU, but in the realities of modern military operations it is a bigger target than an elusive hunter. And as for me, it is better to find its use somewhere in the border zone, but not near the line of combat," summed up Alexander Kovalenko.
