First Polish M120 Rak mortar destroyed in Ukraine amid heavy fighting

In Ukraine, the Russians managed to destroy the first instance of the Polish self-propelled mortar M120 Rak, mounted on the chassis of the KTO Rosomak transporter. Here are its technical specifications.

The first recording of the destroyed Polish self-propelled mortar M120 Rak has appeared online, which – judging by the damage – was hit by a large-calibre artillery projectile or by a "kamikaze" drone, triggering the detonation of the onboard ammunition.

Ukraine received 24 self-propelled M120 RAK mortars as part of a decision made in April 2023. The first photos of these vehicles on the front appeared in December 2023 and, similar to the Krab howitzers, they were likely deployed in the most difficult sectors of the front.

The M120 RAK is a self-propelled mortar developed by the Huta Stalowa Wola (HSW) facility. It boasts a cutting-edge design based on the wheeled chassis of the KTO Rosomak transporter, although HSW has also created a version on a tracked chassis, known as the M120G Rak.

A standout feature of the Polish mortar is the modular nature of its turret. This means the turret with the mortar is a separate module, which can be fitted onto different platforms, not just vehicles. This versatility allows for its use as a permanent defensive structure or installation on the decks of ships, a concept similar to the one adopted by the Norwegians in their NEMO system.

The core of the M120 Rak system is a 120mm calibre mortar with a barrel length of 25 calibres, outfitted with a comprehensive set of necessary devices and communication systems. A pivotal characteristic of the M120 Rak self-propelled mortars is their integration with the TOPAZ battlefield management system, enabling real-time reception of target data, for example from FlyEye type drones, and facilitating almost instant response (with merely a few seconds of delay).

The Rak mortar achieves a firing rate of up to eight shots per minute through its loading mechanism, enabling it to exhaust its onboard supply of 46 rounds within minutes. Additionally, the system is engineered to function amidst artillery radars, where lingering in a combat position for even slightly too long could be lethal.

The M120 Rak can commence firing at targets within a mere 30 seconds of halting, and is able to reposition within 15 seconds after executing the last shot. Its range varies with the ammunition used and spans approximately from 4.3 to 7.5 miles. Polish mortars are regarded as the finest of their kind in the Ukrainian army, and the loss of each unit significantly impacts.