Ukraine knocks out 36 Russian thermobaric rocket launchers; replacements now arrive wrapped in steel
Ukrainian forces have destroyed or knocked out 36 of Russia's TOS-1A thermobaric rocket launcher systems, with 27 burning completely, while Moscow now fields replacement units built on T-72 hulls encased in an added welded steel shell.
Ukraine's armed forces report destroying or disabling 36 of Russia's TOS-1A thermobaric rocket launcher systems on the battlefield. These heavy systems are known for producing a powerful blast combined with fire across a wide area. Of the 36 losses, 27 burned out completely.
In response to the losses, Russia has begun fielding a modified version of the TOS-1A. The new launchers are still built on the chassis of a T-72 tank hull, but they now come wrapped in an additional welded steel shell. The added armor appears intended to better protect the vehicle and its crew from the kind of strikes that destroyed so many of the earlier models.
What the TOS-1A does
The TOS-1A is a heavy rocket system Russia's military uses against fortified positions, producing a thermobaric explosion that destroys personnel and infrastructure over a broad radius. Losing this many units is considered a significant blow to Russia's artillery capability, since TOS-1A systems are relatively expensive and available only in limited numbers.
The fact that replacement units are now shipped with reinforced armor suggests Russia's defense industry is trying to adapt the equipment to current battlefield conditions in order to cut future losses. Whether the added protection actually reduces the loss rate remains unclear for now.
