Russo-Ukrainian War: The MP-120 120mm Mortar

Source: USA Today

     Crew of a MP-120 120mm mortar in action somewhere in Ukraine, August 2025. The MP-120 is designed and built by Ukrainian Armor, LLC, a company headquartered in Kyiv, Ukraine. The MP-120, being constructed within Ukraine, allows supply of a heavy mortar to the Ukrainian Army without dependence on external military aid to replace combat losses or bolster units with additional mortars. Another benefit of the MP-120 is the replacement of older Soviet-era 120mm mortars which remain in use such as the 2B11, the 2S12 “Sani” (“Sleigh”), and any remaining 120-PM-38 that have lingered on in service. The MP-120 is also replacing another Ukrainian produced mortar, the M120-15 “Molot” (“Hammer”). The latter, produced by Ukroboronprom Mayak Plant PJSC, entered service in 2016 but has proven unreliable with tube failures having killed and injured over five dozen soldiers by 2021. The MP-120 was accepted for service on January 25, 2022, a little under a month before the Russian invasion.

     The MP-120 has a combat weight of 36 pounds and it takes a trained crew between 2 to 3 minutes to ready the mortar for action. In the background of the photograph, the two-wheeled transport carriage can be seen. This is used to tow the mortar behind a vehicle as well as permit the crew to push the mortar along the ground to the firing position. Once the baseplate is firmly emplaced in the ground, the mortar's barrel bottom is connected to the plate via a ball-and-socket style joint. This permits a full 360 degrees of traverse without having to reposition the entire mortar. The bipod permits elevation and a limited amount of left or right traverse for more fine barrel positioning. The MP-120's barrel utilizes steel construction which prioritizes robustness. This was well illustrated during the MP-120's trials prior to acceptance in which 5,500 rounds were fired through one example. This amount usually resulted in the need for a complete barrel replacement with existing service mortars but the MP-120 showed only .2mm of barrel wear. As a consequence, the MP-120 can effectively fire over 10,000 rounds before the barrel needs replacement.

     Sighting is done using a MUM-706 UMS (Unified Mortar Sight) which has a 2.5x magnification, a 9 degree field of view, 2 inch parallax, 360 degree range of horizontal sighting, between 35 to 90 degree angle of elevation, and plus or minus 30 degrees of angle of inclination in the vertical plane. A benefit of using a UMS is that the sight can be used on other calibers of mortars which include 60mm, 81mm, and 82mm mortars.

     The MP-120 is able to use any 120mm mortar bomb which is designed to be fired through the 2B11 and 2S12. It is also compatible with bombs made for the venerable 120-PM-38 mortar and for the 120-PM-43. Range can vary depending on the bomb. One of the more potent munitions is the 3OF53 HE-FRAG (High-Explosive Fragmentation) bomb. Weighing 35 pounds of which 7.6 pounds is explosive, the 3OF53 can be fired out to a maximum range of 3.5 miles. When it bursts, it creates a lethal fragmentation radius against infantry of 2,690 yards. The MP-120 can fire bombs capable of using surcharges which are supplementary propellant bags (that are horseshoe shaped) which can be added to the bomb's tail. These can extend the range with the MP-120 able to fire such bombs to a maximum range of 4.4 miles. A trained crew can fire up to 15 rounds per minute. The MP-120 also has a safety feature to prevent double loading. This consists of a mechanical interlock that prevents another bomb from being put loaded until the bomb already in the barrel is fired. Also, the MP-120 has a BAD (Blast Attenuation Device) on the muzzle which reduces the blast effects that occur during firing.

Russo-Ukrainian War: The M240 240mm Heavy Mortar

Source: Reddit

     A soldier of the 3rd. Assault Brigade poses next to one of the unit's handful of colossal M240 240mm heavy mortars. The M240 mortars in use by Ukraine had been in storage until an unknown number were withdrawn, refurbished, and put back into service. Today, the M240 is the largest mortar in operational service in the world. Sometimes classified as a siege mortar, the M240 is designed to bombard fortified positions and the initial design commenced in 1944, being a scaled up version of the PM-43 160mm heavy mortar. Prototypes of the M240 were tested into 1950 and once accepted for service, production started in 1951 with units receiving the M240 commencing in 1953. In total, 329 examples of the M240 were built when production ended in 1958.

     With a combat weight of 4.6 tons and a barrel length alone of 17.6 feet, the M240 requires a maximum crew of 11 to operate effectively. A tow vehicle (usually a MT-LB tracked prime mover or a Ural 373 series 6x6 truck) moves the M240 about as well as carries the crew. Between one to two additional vehicles normally accompany the mortar with one containing ammunition while the other carries equipment and apparatus to assist in emplacing the M240 into a chosen firing position. The maximum tow speed is 25 miles per hour.

     The barrel is of the smooth-bore type and uses a breech-block. The 2-wheel carriage permits a total traverse of 18 degrees and the barrel can be elevated to a minimum of 45 degrees to a maximum of 65 degrees. Both traverse and elevation is manually controlled using gears situated on the left side of the barrel. Sighting is done using older MP-46 or MP-46M panoramic sights or by using a K-1 collimator sight. The carriage is equipped with a recoil assembly, used to reduce firing vibration and be the bridge between the barrel and the mount.

     Loading the M240 is no simple process. As the mortar is a breech loader and cannot be loaded while the barrel is elevated, the barrel is brought down to a horizontal position. The standard 3OF-864 HE (High-Explosive) bomb has a total weight of 290 pounds of which 75 pounds accounts for the explosive in the bomb's warhead. The bomb is brought to the M240 using a 2-wheeled trolley and once near the breech, long-handled tongs are used to pick up the bomb with two men on either side of the projectile providing the lift. A fifth man stands behind the bomb, making sure the bomb's fins are steady and not damaged. Once the bomb is pushed into the barrel, the breech is closed and the M240's barrel returned to battery. A well trained crew can manage a rate of fire of 1 round per minute.

     The M240 is capable of lobbing the 3OF-864 bomb out to a maximum range of 6 miles. A RAP (Rocket Assisted Projectile) version of the 3OF-864 (designated the 3F2 Gagara), fitted with 3M15 rocket motors, can extend that range out to 12 miles. However, even with the RAP bomb, the M240 is within counterbattery range of guns such as the 122mm D-30 howitzer, BM-21 Grad MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System), and drones such as the ZALA Lancet loitering munition as well as other FPV drones. Bringing the M240 into action takes up to 25 minutes from the halt and with apparatus to assist with the set up. The M240 can only fire from firm ground and if the ground is too hard, explosive charges are used to blow a pit into the ground for the base plate to settle into. While preparing to fire may go unnoticed, after the first bomb is fired, detection may only be a matter of time. It takes up to 15 minutes to return the M240 to traveling condition and this makes “shoot and scoot” tactics of very limited value. This issue is the main reason the Soviet Union developed the 2S4 Tyulpan (“Tulip”) which is a tracked, self-propelled mounting of the 240mm 2B8 mortar (a modified M240) that entered service starting in 1975.

     Other than the common 3OF-864 ammunition, it is believed the Ukrainians also have some stockpiles of the 3F2 Gagara bombs and a more limited availability of the 1K113 Smelchak (“Daredevil”) semi-active, laser-guided mortar bomb. The latter is composed of a 3F5 240mm HE projectile, a optoelectronic correction head, four adjustable fins, and six solid-fuel rocket motors. In order to effectively utilize the 3F5 bomb, it requires soldiers on the ground equipped with either a 1D15 or 1D20 laser rangefinder/designator. The 1D15 has a maximum range of 3 miles while the 1D20 has a 4 mile maximum range. The 1K113 itself has a maximum range of 5.7 miles.

     Doctrine in using the 1K113 as designed involves aiming the M240 towards the designated target and firing a standard round. The observation team, already in place (and usually no more than 5 miles from the target), reports the impact and calls back adjustments to the firing unit. After the gunner makes the corrections, the 1K113 is then loaded and fired. The soldier manning the 1D15 or 1D20 unit aims the designator at the target where it receives a radio signal from the M240 firing position regarding the bomb's trajectory. As the bomb nears the target, the designator switches to targeting mode, “painting” the target with laser pulses which the bomb's correction head picks up via reflection. Around .5 of a mile from impact, the rocket motors are utilized to make any corrections to the flight path to ensure successful impact. The usual deviation from the aim point is no more than 1.8 meters.

     As of July 28, 2025, the Russians have lost a total of sixty-one 2S4 Tyulpan (10% of the total production run) while the Ukrainians have not lost any of their M240 towed mortars.

Russo-Ukrainian War: The 60mm Mortar PG

Source: Military Informant (milinfolive) on Telegram

     It is not a secret that the regime of North Korea has been supplying the Russian Federation with arms (as well as troops) to make up for the huge losses of equipment in the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War...equipment which the Russian military complex is unable to replace as fast as it is lost. One of the arms being provided is displayed here: the 60mm mortar PG (ᄑᄀ in the image). As a whole, 60mm mortars have fallen out of favor with most militaries due to their short range but they do have the benefit of being lightweight and able to provide close range, indirect fire.

     The North Korean PG is, more or less, a copy of the Chinese Type 31 60mm mortar. The Type 31 is the Chinese copy of the U.S. Army's M2 60mm mortar which appeared in 1940, being the American produced version of the French Brandt Mle 1935 60mm mortar. So, one could say the PG is a copy of a copy (Type 31) of a copy (M2) of a copy (Mle 1935). Nevertheless, the soundness of the Mle 1935 is evidenced by three countries electing to adopt the mortar.

     There is not a lot of specific information on the PG. Given it is a North Korean built version of the Type 31, it is reasonable to utilize the specifications for the Type 31 as the PG is likely similar in statistics and performance. The Type 31 has a total weight (to include the base plate, bipod, and sight) of 44 pounds and normally requires a crew of two.

     Ranging is done using a fairly basic non-telescopic, collimator sight which provides for elevation and deflection adjustments via cross and longitudinal levels. The white line down the center of the mortar tube can also be used for aiming. Maximum range is probably around 1 mile using a basic HE (High-Explosive) bomb. The minimum range is approximately 200 meters. Loading is accomplished by dropping the bomb down the muzzle and when it hits the bottom of the barrel, a pin striker ignites the bomb's propellant charge which then sends the bomb down range towards the target. A skilled crew is reported to be able to run between 15 to 20 rounds per minute through the Type 31.

     In the inset photograph, beneath the obliterated serial number, the wording is instructions that say to set the mortar on flat (or level) ground and align the mortar tube at 45 degrees. It could be that this is the optimal angle to achieve the most range but the PG is likely able to be elevated much higher (up to 85 degrees) and as low as 40 degrees. This is done by adjusting the legs of the bipod.

Russo-Ukrainian War: URO VAMTAC ST5 Alakrán Mortar Carrier

Source: 210th. Assault Brigade

     In late 2022, Spain provided Ukraine with twenty VAMTAC (Vehículo de Alta Movilidad Táctico; High Mobility Tactical Vehicle) vehicles. Built by the Spanish firm UROVESA (URO Vehiculos Especiales S.A.), the VAMTAC is a multi-purpose armored vehicle along the same lines as the U.S. military's HMMWV. Like the HMMWV, the VAMTAC has many variants, to include an armored ambulance, anti-tank vehicle, anti-aircraft vehicle, and other roles. In November 2024, articles appeared showing men of the Ukrainian 2nd. Artillery Battery, 210th. Assault Regiment “Berlingo” training with VAMTAC ST5 vehicles fitted with the Alakrán mortar system using a 120mm mortar built by the French company Thales. This is one of those photographs.

     The basis of the mortar carrier is a VAMTAC ST5, the current production version of the vehicle. The ST5 can be fitted with a number of Steyr Motors engines. The most powerful is a 245 horsepower 6.7 litre, 6-cylinder, turbocharged diesel engine. This is mated to an automatic transmission with a 7-speed gearbox (6 forward, 1 reverse). A total of 29 gallons of diesel fuel is carried and provides for a maximum cruise range of 370 miles. Top road speed is 84 miles per hour. The cab is protected by at least STANAG 4569 Level 1 or Level 2 armor which is proof against 5.56x45mm/7.62x51mm ball ammunition (Level 1) or 7.62x39mm API (Armor-Piercing Incendiary) ammunition (Level 2). A separate model, the VAMTAC ST5 BN3 supports STANAG 4569 Level 3 armor which can defeat 7.62x51mm AP (Armor-Piercing) and 7.62x54R API ammunition.

     The Alakrán (Scorpion) system was developed and is produced by the Spanish company Milanion NTGS. It can be fitted to many suitable vehicles and the system has seen use already by Ukraine, fitted to Bogdan Bars-6 armored vehicles. As can be seen here, the remainder of the VAMTAC ST5 is made up of the  Alakrán system. The mortar, when in travel order, lays between the ammunition cabinets. Just behind the cab is the controls for deploying the mortar, storage cabinet, and a spare tire. When being deployed, the mortar is raised upward in its cradle by a electro-pneumatic arm. On the bottom of the cradle is a base plate which is used to spread out the mortar's recoil forces when a projectile is fired. The mortar cradle permits a total of 60 degrees of traverse and between 45 to 85 degrees of elevation. A feature of the Alakrán is a barrel cooling system and this permits the mortar to fire a sustained 16 projectiles per minute. The Alakrán incorporates a fire control system (FCS) that utilizes a geographic information system (GIS) that permits the mortar to conduct zonal shooting (the FCS automatically makes slight adjustments to the barrel to permit wide area strikes) as well as simultaneous impact (the FCS adjusts the mortar to permit multiple rounds to hit the target at the same time). The Alakrán system, from the halt, can be ready to fire in half a minute. A trained crew can halt, deploy the mortar, fire two rounds, then be on the move to a new firing location in under a minute. If there is a fault with the deployment system, the mortar can be set up manually. Likewise, if the FCS goes down, the mortar can be manually aimed. The mortar has a maximum range of 8 miles. Spanish produced mortar bombs provided to the Ukrainians are HE (High-Explosive) though inert training munitions are also likely included.

     It is not known how large the purchase order for the VAMTAC mortar carriers was but at least six are known to be in service as of November 2024.