- Category
- Latest news
Croatia’s Lightweight Haron Rocket System Spotted in Ukraine—Here’s What We Know
- Authors
![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
Ukrainian forces have begun operating the rare Croatian-made M93A3 Haron multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS), marking the first confirmed appearance of the platform in Ukraine’s arsenal.
According to Defense Express on August 6, the presence of the Haron system was initially identified by open-source analyst Andrew Perpetua through Russian video footage showing a strike on the launcher. The system was later featured in a video released by the Ukrainian unit Vodohrai, confirming its deployment.
The M93A3 Haron, developed by Croatian defense firm Đuro Đaković Special Vehicles in 2000, is a lightweight, towed MLRS system that fires 70mm unguided rockets. It is equipped with two launch pods containing 20 tubes each, capable of firing either single rounds or full salvos.
we now have an idea for the MRL I couldn't id. It is a M93A3 Heron pic.twitter.com/5tudKgGJc6
— Andrew Perpetua (@AndrewPerpetua) August 4, 2025
The launcher uses HE70 TF M95 high-explosive fragmentation rockets with a 1.95 kg warhead and contact fuze, reaching targets up to 9 kilometers away. A remote control unit allows firing from a distance of up to 25 meters.
With a fully loaded weight of approximately 1,250 kg and dimensions of 3.15 meters in length and 1.4 meters in height, the Haron is designed for mobility and concealment. Its small size offers advantages for rapid deployment and masking—an important factor in Ukraine’s current positional warfare environment.
However, reports suggest its trailer is limited to towing speeds of 15 km/h, making truck transport the primary method of movement over long distances.
The system’s compact firepower is effective primarily against unarmored targets and concentrations of infantry. A full salvo covers an area of roughly 200 by 300 meters. Its limited range and light payload reflect its original design as a low-cost, mobile artillery solution.
Croatia’s 70mm M93A3 Heron rocket launcher and M95 HE-FRAG rockets now in use by Ukrainian forces. pic.twitter.com/og7wrAitZF
— Ivan Khomenko (@KhomenkoIv60065) August 6, 2025
It remains unclear how the systems were transferred to Ukraine, but given the Croatian army’s reported stock of 20 units, the launchers were likely drawn from existing military reserves. Ammunition for the Haron may now be sourced directly from Croatian defense industry suppliers.
The M93A3 is not the first Croatian MLRS in Ukrainian service. The 128mm RAK-SA-12 system has been in use by Ukrainian border guard units for several years. Both systems provide a more standardized alternative to improvised rocket platforms based on pickup trucks and air-launched munitions.
Earlier, Ukraine’s 28th Mechanized Brigade unveiled a custom-built robotic air defense unit that uses an Igla MANPADS mounted on an unmanned ground vehicle—an improvised system credited with shooting down a Russian helicopter.
