Army of Venezuela will receive 12 Russian BM-30 Smerch MLRS Multiple Launch Rocket System.

By mid 2012, the Venezuelan army will receive the 300 mm BM-30 9K58 "Smerch" mobile multiple rocket launcher systems purchased from Russia, according to a post on website Venetubo.

The first version of the BM-30 Smerch Russian-made MLRS Multiple Launch Rocket System 300mm caliber.

The whole system comprise a BM9A52-2 launching vehicle, a TZM 9T234-2 transloader, a 1K123 "Vivary" command post/fire control system, and a PM-2-70 MTO-V maintenance vehicle. The BM-30 Smerch is a Russian-made MLRS Multiple Launch Rocket System which was created in the early 1980s. Minimum range is 20,000 m and maximum range 70,000 m. The BM-30 has undergone a number modernization with successively the 9A52-2, 9A52-2T, Tornado 9A52-4 and the new Tornado-G which will entered into service with the Russian army. The amount of "Smerch" systems purchased by Venezuela is unknown. Nevertheless, sources put the number at 12, and added that the new rocket launchers would be used to create a new Multiple Rocket Launcher Artillery Group of the 43rd Artillery Brigade of the Fourth Armored Division, located in Guárico state (central west Venezuela). In 2009, Venezuela bought RPG-7 rocket launchers from Russia. The HeliRussia 2012 show closed last Saturday in Russia. The new fighter helicopter Mi-28NE "Night Hunter" was introduced during the show, together with other 49 Russian warfare equipments. According to the Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation, Venezuela was among the 56 countries that attended the exhibition, reported news agency Novosti.

By armyrecognition