Top 10 Multiple Rocket Launchers (MLRS) in the World in 2026

Rocket artillery has become one of the most decisive weapons of modern war. Since HIMARS arrived in Ukraine in 2022, armies everywhere have rushed to buy launchers that can fire GPS-guided rockets and missiles hundreds of kilometers. This ranking weighs range, precision, mobility, munitions choice and combat record.

1. M142 HIMARS (United States)

A wheeled launcher carrying either six GMLRS rockets with a range of up to 70-80 km, one ATACMS missile reaching about 300 km, or two PrSM missiles with even longer range. Its accuracy and “shoot and scoot” mobility transformed the war in Ukraine, and it is now in service or on order with more than a dozen countries.

2. M270A2 MLRS (United States/Europe)

The tracked “big brother” of HIMARS carries two pods, doubling its firepower, and is being upgraded across the US Army and allies such as the UK, which also supplied M270s to Ukraine.

3. K239 Chunmoo (South Korea)

A versatile launcher that can fire 130 mm, 239 mm and 400 mm guided rockets and missiles. Poland has ordered it in large numbers and is producing it locally, and it is gaining interest in the Middle East and Europe.

4. PULS (Israel)

Elbit’s Precise and Universal Launching System fires rockets and missiles of several calibers up to around 300 km. The Netherlands, Denmark and Spain have chosen it, and a European version, EuroPULS, is being promoted with German industry.

5. PHL-16 / PCH-191 (China)

China’s modular launcher fires 370 mm guided rockets and 750 mm missiles, with ranges up to around 500 km, putting much of Taiwan within reach from the mainland coast.

6. 9K515 Tornado-S (Russia)

A modernized version of the Smerch, firing 300 mm guided rockets with a range of up to 120 km or more. It is one of Russia’s most-used long-range artillery systems in Ukraine.

7. Pinaka (India)

An Indian-made system with guided rockets ranging up to 75-90 km, already exported to Armenia and offered to Europe, with longer-range versions in development.

8. Astros 2020 (Brazil)

Avibras’ system fires rockets and the AV-TM 300 cruise missile, combining saturation fire and precision strike in one platform.

9. Thundart (France)

The new French launcher from Safran and MBDA, replacing old LRU systems, with deliveries planned to accelerate under France’s new military budget.

10. TRG-300 Kaplan (Türkiye)

Roketsan’s guided rocket family, fired from launchers like the T-300 Kasırga, with precision guidance and ranges of up to 120 km.

The trend

Rocket artillery is merging with tactical missiles: a single launcher can now fire cheap rockets at 40 km and a ballistic missile at 500 km. With ranges growing, these systems are becoming strategic weapons, and a key reason why air defense and counter-battery radar are in such high demand.

Featured image: U.S. Army / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons