M-63 Plamen

M-94 Plamen S
M-94 Plamen S
	M-94 Plamen S
Type	Multiple rocket launcher
Place of origin	Yugoslavia
Service history
In service	1963–present
Wars	Yugoslav Wars; Syrian civil war; Second Nagorno-Karabakh War; Russian invasion of Ukraine
Production history
Designer	Military Technical Institute
Manufacturer	14. oktobar; Krušik
Variants	M-94 Plamen-S
Specifications
Mass	2,134 kg (4,705 lb)
Length	3.68 m (12 ft 1 in)
Width	2.21 m (7 ft 3 in)
Height	1.26 m (4 ft 2 in)
Crew	6
Shell	Length: 0.8 m (2 ft 7 in); Weight: 23 kg (51 lb)
Caliber	128 mm (5.0 in)
Carriage	Split trail
Elevation	0° to 48°
Traverse	30°
Muzzle velocity	420 m/s (1,400 ft/s)
Maximum firing range	12.6 km (7.8 mi)

M-63 Plamen (from Serbian: пламен, lit. 'flame') is a 128mm multiple rocket launcher developed in 1963 in Yugoslavia for use in the Yugoslav People's Army.

Development

Serbian Prof. Obrad Vučurović, mechanical engineer at the Military Technical Institute was project manager and chief engineer of development of the M-63 Plamen and all other Yugoslavia MLRS until breakdown of country when he continued to develop for Serbia M96 Orkan 2. His knowledge and previous development has influenced new MLRS systems developed in Serbia in last couple of years including new 150 km long range MLRS which is in project phase of development. His work is widely acknowledged and many of his unique developed features could be found on MLRS around world.^[2]

MRL M-63 Plamen main purpose is support of front-line units, with strong and sudden attacks on enemy forces. It can be also used against enemy structures such as encampments, airfields, industrial facilities, command centers, communication centers, storehouses, etc.

The M-63 Plamen consists of 32 Ø128mm tubes, which can fire original Plamen-A and Plamen B rockets with a range of 8,600m. The effect of each rocket on the target is equivalent to the effect of a 105mm artillery shell. All 32 rockets can be fired in either 6.4, 12.5 or 19.2 seconds. The launcher is mounted on a single axle trailer which can be towed by vehicles with an 800mm high tow hitch. The towing vehicle carries reserve rockets, so the battle complement is 64 missiles.

The M-63 Plamen was widely used during the Yugoslav Wars. It has also been sighted in the Syrian Civil War, used by rebel fighters under the Free Syrian Army. It's believed that Croatian weapons, including RAK-12 launchers were supplied by Saudi Arabia.^[3] During the Russian invasion of Ukraine, RAK-12s were delivered to the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine in 2023, and also saw use with the Azov Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine in December 2024.^[4]

Variants

M-63 Plamen – Original towed 32-tube 128 mm multiple rocket launcher. Uses Plamen-A and Plamen-B rockets (with a range of 8,600 m).^[5]
M-94 Plamen-S – Launcher mounted on a TAM 6x6 truck chassis for greater tactical mobility and allowing it to shoot-and-scoot, increasing survivability. In addition to 32 rockets in the ready-to-launch position, the Plamen-S also carries a rack with 16 rockets. The system features two hydraulic stabilizers to provide a more stable firing platform and can be readied to fire its rockets in 30 seconds. The Plamen-S can fire standard ammunition or extended-range rockets with a range of 13,000 m (14,000 yd).^[6]
RAK-12 – Croatian built version with twelve 128 mm tubes, enabling weapon to be towed by lighter vehicles like Jeeps.^[7] The launcher fires two types of rockets: M91 (range 8,500 m) and M93 (range 13,000 m).^[8] The Croatian Army operates eight RAK-12 MRLs with some 60 held in reserve.
LOV RAK-24 – Self-propelled multiple rocket launcher with twenty-four 128 mm pipes. The MRL is mounted on Croatian-made light armored personnel carrier LOV.^[9]