Vilkha

A Ukrainian family of 300 mm guided surface-to-surface rockets that converts the Soviet BM-30 Smerch concept into a precision-strike system with ranges from 70 km to beyond 100 km.

Overview

Vilkha, meaning "Alder" and also transliterated as Olkha, is a Ukrainian guided-rocket family and associated artillery system developed by the State Kyiv Design Bureau Luch. It retains the 300 mm format and 12-round launcher architecture of the Soviet BM-30 Smerch while replacing the original unguided rocket with Ukrainian propulsion, navigation and flight-control components. The baseline R624 has a reported range of 70 km, while Vilkha-M and later developments extend the family beyond 100 km.

The system occupies the boundary between multiple-launch rocket artillery and short-range ballistic strike. Existing Smerch launchers can fire Vilkha rockets with relatively little modification, allowing Ukraine to add precision capability without procuring an entirely separate launcher fleet. Vilkha entered Ukrainian service in 2018 and has been employed during the Russo-Ukrainian War, although production totals, stockpile levels and the scale of operational use remain undisclosed.

🔒 The full Vilkha file is for BattlePolicy Pro members. Below the line: development history, design and capabilities, variants, the combat record, advantages and limitations, comparable systems, outlook, the full specifications table, our sourcing, and the analyst assessment — procurement, suppliers and the BattlePolicy verdict. Unlock the full file with BattlePolicy Pro →