Polonez (multiple rocket launcher)

{{Short description|Belarusian rocket artillery system}}

{{Infobox weapon

| name = Polonez

| image = Парад по случаю Дня независимости Белоруссии при участии авиации ЗВО (15).jpg

| caption = Polonez

| origin = Belarus

| type = Multiple rocket launcher

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| is_bladed =

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| is_artillery = yes

| is_vehicle = yes

| is_UK =

| service = 2016 – present

| wars = 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}

| designer =

| design_date = 2014

| manufacturer =

| production_date = 2014 – present

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| caliber = {{convert|300|mm|in|abbr=on}}

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| max_range = Polonez: 200 km (120 mi)

Polonez-M: 290 km (186.4 mi)

| feed =

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| guidance = Global navigation satellite system (GNSS) / inertial navigation system (INS)

}}

The Polonez{{Cite web |url=http://www.army-technology.com/projects/polonez-multiple-launch-rocket-system-mlrs-belarus/ |title=Polonez Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), Belarus - Army Technology |access-date=4 November 2017 |archive-date=7 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107010437/http://www.army-technology.com/projects/polonez-multiple-launch-rocket-system-mlrs-belarus/ |url-status=live }} is a Belarusian 300 mm rocket artillery system of a launcher unit comprising eight rockets packaged in two four-rocket pods mounted on a MZKT-7930 vehicle.{{cite journal| author=International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS)| author-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies| title=The Military Balance 2016| journal=The Military Balance| volume=116| pages=181–183| publisher=Routledge| date=9 February 2016| language=en| doi= 10.1080/04597222.2016.1127558| doi-access=free}} In 2018, it was exported to Azerbaijan.{{cite web |title=A new batch of "Polonez" weapons has arrived in Azerbaijan - VIDEO |url=https://mod.gov.az/en/news/a-new-batch-of-polonez-weapons-has-arrived-in-azerbaijan-video-24346.html |website=mod.gov.az |access-date=13 June 2021 |language=en |archive-date=24 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201224203937/https://mod.gov.az/en/news/a-new-batch-of-polonez-weapons-has-arrived-in-azerbaijan-video-24346.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Azerbaijan Shows off Polonez, LORA Missiles From Belarus, Israel |url=https://jamestown.org/program/azerbaijan-shows-off-polonez-lora-missiles-from-belarus-israel/ |website=Jamestown |access-date=13 June 2021 |archive-date=24 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201224204037/https://jamestown.org/program/azerbaijan-shows-off-polonez-lora-missiles-from-belarus-israel/ |url-status=live }} The system was designed by the Belarusian Plant of Precision Electromechanics in cooperation with a foreign country, probably China. The first combat missile launches were carried out in China.{{Cite web |url=https://belarusinfocus.info/society-and-politics/developing-missile-technology-belarus-strategic-priority |title=Developing missile technology is Belarus' strategic priority

|access-date=4 July 2019 |archive-date=4 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190704022020/https://belarusinfocus.info/society-and-politics/developing-missile-technology-belarus-strategic-priority |url-status=live }} The 77th Separate Rocket Artillery Battalion of the 336th Rocket Artillery Brigade of the Belarusian Ground Forces is equipped with it.{{Cite web|title=MILEX 2019: Polonez-M MLRS enters service in Belarusian army {{!}} MILEX 2019 News Online Show Daily Minsk Belarus {{!}} Defence security military exhibition 2019 daily news category|url=https://www.armyrecognition.com/milex_2019_news_online_show_daily_minsk_belarus/milex_2019_polonez-m_mlrs_enters_service_in_belarussian_army.html|access-date=2021-07-14|website=www.armyrecognition.com}} An upgraded version called Polonez-M passed all trials and has been accepted into service by the Belarusian Ground Forces as of May 2019. Polonez-M has an increased range of 290 km (186.4 mi), a higher share of domestic components and can fire the improved A-300 missile.{{Cite web |url=https://armyrecognition.com/milex_2019_news_online_show_daily_minsk_belarus/milex_2019_polonez-m_mlrs_enters_service_in_belarussian_army.html |title=MILEX 2019: Polonez-M MLRS enters service in Belarusian army |access-date=23 May 2019 |archive-date=13 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613171218/https://armyrecognition.com/milex_2019_news_online_show_daily_minsk_belarus/milex_2019_polonez-m_mlrs_enters_service_in_belarussian_army.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.janes.com/article/89114/belarus-unveils-upgraded-polonez-m-mrl-system |title=Belarus unveils upgraded Polonez-M MRL system

|access-date=11 June 2019 |archive-date=9 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190609160836/https://www.janes.com/article/89114/belarus-unveils-upgraded-polonez-m-mrl-system |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|title=Multiple launch rocket systems "Polonez"/missile system "Polonez-M" – Precision Electromechanics Plant|url=https://ztem.by/en/catalog/mlrs/|access-date=2021-07-14|language=en-GB}} The first delivery was conducted in November 2023.{{cite web | title=ЦАМТО / / В Вооруженные силы Республики Беларусь поступил новейший комплекс РСЗО «Полонез-М» | website=ЦАМТО / Центр анализа мировой торговли оружием | date=2023-11-16 | url=https://armstrade.org/includes/periodics/news/2023/1116/110576426/detail.shtml | language=ru | ref={{sfnref | ЦАМТО / Центр анализа мировой торговли оружием | 2023}} | access-date=2023-11-18}}