For countries looking to enhance their combat capabilities, a Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) is a must-have artillery weapon. MLRSs are powerful: they can launch multiple rockets in quick succession and are also highly mobile, which makes them easy to move around — and difficult for enemies to attack. Recently, NATO contracted ISTEC Services Limited to upgrade Britain’s MLRS systems. ISTEC will add smoke discharger systems to the M270 MLRS fleet. Smoke discharger systems conceal the MLRS from combatants and make it difficult to surveil.
The U.S. Army actually introduced the M270 MLRS in the early 1980s, marking a significant evolution in artillery warfare. However, this was preceded by the Soviet Union’s development of the BM-21 Grad in the 1960s. This system set the standard for MLRS technology within the Russian military and has been widely exported and used in various conflicts around the world. Here, 24/7 Wall St. is taking a closer look at the European MLRS arsenals. To identify the European countries with the most MLRS units, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed 2024 Military Strength Ranking from Global Firepower, an annually updated defense-related statistics website with information on 145 countries. Countries were ranked on the total number of MLRS in their arsenal. We included supplemental information regarding the total military vehicles, artillery and tanks, as well as each country’s overall military strength score. Nations that do not have any MLRS in their arsenal were excluded. Note that we did not include Russia in this list. (Interested in what other nations have MLRS power? See which Asian country is leading the charge.)
Why Are We Covering This?
Understanding the military dynamics in Europe is important considering the continent’s deeply rooted geopolitical challenges going forward. Historically, Europe has been marked by wars, shifting alliances, and territorial disputes, and yet it still remains a key player on the global stage. At the same time, alliances like the EU or NATO are some of the most powerful in terms of their influence on the world. Whether it is a question of NATO’s expansion or Russia’s campaign in Eastern Europe, these military forces tilt the region’s balance of power. Understanding who owns the most MLRS weaponry shows how certain countries might be approaching future conflicts.
These European countries have the largest MLRS armies:
18. Estonia
- Total Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 6
- Total tanks: 0
- Total artillery: 24
- Total military vehicles: 1,409
- Military strength score and world rank:1.7237 – #87 out of 145
17. France
- Total Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 9
- Total tanks: 222
- Total artillery: 96
- Total military vehicles: 85,023
- Military strength score and world rank:0.1878 – #11 out of 145
16. Montenegro
- Total Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 12
- Total tanks: 0
- Total artillery: 12
- Total military vehicles: 662
- Military strength score and world rank:2.9109 – #129 out of 145
15. Italy
- Total Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 21
- Total tanks: 200
- Total artillery: 172
- Total military vehicles: 61,892
- Military strength score and world rank:0.1863 – #10 out of 145
14. Bulgaria
- Total Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 24
- Total tanks: 215
- Total artillery: 273
- Total military vehicles: 7,420
- Military strength score and world rank:1.0132 – #62 out of 145
13. North Macedonia
- Total Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 24
- Total tanks: 23
- Total artillery: 191
- Total military vehicles: 2,156
- Military strength score and world rank:2.1717 – #110 out of 145
12. Slovakia
- Total Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 25
- Total tanks: 36
- Total artillery: 44
- Total military vehicles: 2,048
- Military strength score and world rank:1.1891 – #69 out of 145
11. Germany
- Total Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 33
- Total tanks: 295
- Total artillery: 134
- Total military vehicles: 79,317
- Military strength score and world rank:0.2847 – #19 out of 145
10. United Kingdom
- Total Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 41
- Total tanks: 213
- Total artillery: 197
- Total military vehicles: 27,203
- Military strength score and world rank:0.1443 – #6 out of 145
9. Finland
- Total Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 76
- Total tanks: 200
- Total artillery: 792
- Total military vehicles: 11,716
- Military strength score and world rank:0.7967 – #50 out of 145
8. Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Total Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 79
- Total tanks: 91
- Total artillery: 590
- Total military vehicles: 450
- Military strength score and world rank:2.3996 – #116 out of 145
7. Serbia
- Total Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 82
- Total tanks: 262
- Total artillery: 162
- Total military vehicles: 3,954
- Military strength score and world rank:0.9038 – #56 out of 145
6. Croatia
- Total Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 105
- Total tanks: 75
- Total artillery: 181
- Total military vehicles: 3,076
- Military strength score and world rank:1.1333 – #66 out of 145
5. Greece
- Total Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 152
- Total tanks: 1,365
- Total artillery: 1,318
- Total military vehicles: 57,030
- Military strength score and world rank:0.4349 – #32 out of 145
4. Belarus
- Total Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 206
- Total tanks: 517
- Total artillery: 539
- Total military vehicles: 6,700
- Military strength score and world rank:1.0901 – #64 out of 145
3. Poland
- Total Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 211
- Total tanks: 612
- Total artillery: 525
- Total military vehicles: 13,956
- Military strength score and world rank:0.2917 – #21 out of 145
2. Romania
- Total Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 225
- Total tanks: 345
- Total artillery: 720
- Total military vehicles: 9,990
- Military strength score and world rank:0.7712 – #47 out of 145
1. Ukraine
- Total Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 491
- Total tanks: 1,777
- Total artillery: 2,217
- Total military vehicles: 22,110
- Military strength score and world rank:0.2598 – #18 out of 145
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