TOS-1

TOS-1 Buratino (, Heavy Flamethrower System) is a Soviet 220 mm 30-barrel (original system, Object 634 or TOS-1M) or 24-barrel (Object 634B or TOS-1A Solntsepyok) multiple rocket launcher capable of using thermobaric warheads, mounted on a T-72 / T-90 tank chassis. TOS-1 was designed to attack enemy fortified positions and lightly armored vehicles and transports, particularly in open terrain. The system’s first combat tests took place in 1988 and 1989 in the Panjshir Valley during the Soviet–Afghan War. The TOS-1 was shown for the first time in public in 1999 in Omsk.

TOS-1 is not assigned to the artillery units of the Russian Armed Forces but is found in Russian NBC Protection Troops.

Development

The idea of a heavy short-range MLRS to launch rockets equipped with incendiary and thermobaric warheads arose in the late 1970s. The combat system consisting of the combat vehicle, rockets, and loading vehicle was developed in early 1980s at KBTM in Omsk and was named TOS-1, remaining a secret development for a long time.

The TOS-1 Buratino is intended to engage military personnel, equipment, and buildings, including fortified constructions. The nickname " Buratino" originates with the name of the hero of a Russian retelling of the Pinocchio tale (by Alexey Tolstoy), given the perception of the big "nose" of the launcher (in the original Italian text of Pinocchio, the protagonist is a " burattino", the Italian word for "puppet"). The combat vehicle acts within the combat order of infantry and tanks. The large mass of the launcher, combined with the short range of rockets launches (), forced an increase in the level of armor and use the chassis of the T-72 main battle tank. The TZM reloading vehicle was built on the chassis of a KrAZ-255B cross-country truck and equipped with a crane for loading/unloading of the launcher. Production of KrAZ-255B has officially stopped in 1994. Therefore, TZM-T for later Soltsepyok was created based on the chassis of a T-72 variation T-72A.

In 2003, the improved TOS-1A Solntsepyok ("Scorching sunlight") system entered service with the range extended to and a better ballistic computer.

In March 2020, Russia introduced a new rocket for the TOS-1A with a range of , achieved in part by weight and size reductions of a new fuel air explosive mixture in the warhead, while also increasing its power. Minimum range is extended from , so the shorter-range M0.1.01.04M rocket will be retained for close combat environments. In 2018, Russian NBC Protection Troops received 30 TOS-1A Solntsepyok (Sunburn) 220 mm multiple rocket launchers.

In October 2017 Saudi Arabian Military Industries signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Rosoboronexport for the local production of the TOS-1A.

Combat history

TOS-1s were first used in combat in Afghanistan's Panjshir valley by the Soviet Union during the Soviet–Afghan War. Later, they were used during the Second Chechen War.

TOS-1As were first used in combat in Iraq by the Iraqi Army in the recapture of Jurf Al Sakhar on 24 October 2014, from ISIL forces. The Iraqi Army launched at least three TOS-1 rockets on 18 June 2017 during the first day of an offensive to recapture the Old City of Mosul, Iraq, from the Islamic State, targeting school buildings held by Islamic State forces and known to be devoid of civilians.

The OSCE reported in September 2015 that the TOS-1 was sighted in a rebel training area in eastern Ukraine.

The TOS-1 was used in Syria on 10 October 2015, by Syrian Army forces against rebel forces in Hama.
In 2016, it was used against rebel forces in the Latakia mountains, with at least one being destroyed by a rebel Kornet ATGM near Northern Aleppo. It was used again by the Syrian Arab Army in April 2017 in the area of Palmyra, and later in the same month to destroy an ISIS camp. In November 2018, the system was deployed by the SAA against ISIS in Al-Safa region.

Azerbaijan used the TOS-1A against the Nagorno-Karabakh Defense Army on 4 April 2016 and 28 September 2020.

It took part in the large-scale Russian-Belarusian exercise Zapad in September 2021.

TOS-1A units were being deployed during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Several sightings of the system were reported during the invasion. A verified image of a TOS-1A claimed to have been captured by the Ukrainian Army has been widely shared across social media. On 9 March 2022, the UK Ministry of Defense said on Twitter that the Russian Ministry of Defense had confirmed the use of the weapon system in the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainian forces went on to capture several units which were left abandoned by the Russians, and have used a captured unit against the Russians.

The TOS-1A was reportedly used by Russian forces during the Battle of Pisky in 2022. One was destroyed by Ukrainian forces in February 2023 during the Battle of Vuhledar. On 9 June 2023, another TOS-1A was claimed to be destroyed in Zaporizhzhia region during the 2023 Ukrainian counteroffensive. However no video evidence exist for this claim. Another TOS-1A was reportedly destroyed on the left bank of the Dnipro River in November using a drone dropping bombs.

TOS-1A was also reportedly used during the Battle of Chasiv Yar in 2024. In August 2024, Ukrainian forces reported a TOS-1A had been destroyed in the Zaporizhzhia region.

As of March 2025, at least 31 TOS-1A have been lost in Ukraine with 22 destroyed and 3 captured, according to Oryxblog, OSINT.

System description

The TOS-1A Solntsepyok (, Blazing Sun) system consists of the following items:
* The "combat vehicle" BM-1 () (Object 634B) based on a modified T-72A chassis and fitted with a rotating launch system for 24 unguided thermobaric rockets. All rockets can be launched within 6 to 12 seconds. The launch vehicle is equipped with a fire control system with a ballistic computer, aiming sight and 1D14 laser range finder. The other standard equipment consists of a TKN-3A sight for the commander, a GPK-59 navigation system, an R-163-50U radio station, an R-174 intercom and a 902G smoke grenade launcher with four barrels. The 3-man crew is armed with one AKS-74, one RPKS-74, three RPG-26s, and 10 F-1 hand grenades. The BM-1 is fitted with the same equipment as the T-72 tank (NBC protection, fire-fighting, observation etc.). Modernized systems with active protection, new engine and launchers and other improvements were delivered in early 2018. A new topographic orientation system is being reportedly installed as of October 2023.
* Two TZM-T () (Object 563) re-supply vehicles, fitted with a 10 kN crane. Each vehicle carries 2x12 spare rockets and 400 litres of fuel for the BM-1 and has a combat weigh of . The TZM-T has a crew of three, armed with two AKS-74s, one RPKS-74, five RPG-26s, and 10 F-1 hand grenades.
* The MO.1.01.04 () are long and weigh . The original rocket for the TOS-1A had a range of only .
* The MO.1.01.04M rocket is long and weighs . This version extends the range to . The system was modernized in 2016.
* The M0.1.01.04M2 rocket was upgraded in March 2020 to a heavier thermobaric warhead and better 10 km range, to operate outside the range of modern ATGMs.

Operators

Current operators

* : Estimated 18 in service as of 2024. At least 4 TOS-1A received from Russia in 2016.
*
* : 17 in service as of 2024. 36 reported to be received from Russia from 2013-2017.
* : 6+ in service as of 2024. 10 received from Russia in 2014.
* : 3 received from Russia in 2011 and in service as of 2024.
* : ~45 TOS-1A and a number of TOS-2 before the war in Ukraine. New batches of TOS-1A were delivered in September and November 2022 and again in November 2024. At least 31 lost in combat. They have reportedly received additional protection.
* : 10 in service as of 2024. A license to produce TOS-1A was granted to Saudi Arabia in 2017.

Status unknown

* – 8+. Unknown whether these vehicles belonged to Russian or Syrian army. Not included in armament commissioned.
* . Unknown if vehicles were bought and commissioned or just shown on an exhibition. Not included in armament commissioned.
* – at least 3 TOS-1As and four TZM-Ts captured during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. One was reportedly used in combat against Russian forces in early April 2022.

Former operators

* – Passed on to Russia.

Gallery

File:Tactical exercises of Radiological, Chemical and Biological Protection Troops units at Shikhani training ground (410-22).jpg
File:Tactical exercises of Radiological, Chemical and Biological Protection Troops units at Shikhani training ground (410-23).jpg
File:Tactical exercises of Radiological, Chemical and Biological Protection Troops units at Shikhani training ground (410-24).jpg
File:Tactical exercises of Radiological, Chemical and Biological Protection Troops units at Shikhani training ground (410-25).jpg
File:Tactical exercises of Radiological, Chemical and Biological Protection Troops units at Shikhani training ground (410-26).jpg
File:Tactical exercises of Radiological, Chemical and Biological Protection Troops units at Shikhani training ground (410-27).jpg
File:ShikhanyNBCExercise2018-05.jpg
File:NBCProtectionExercise2019-21.jpg

File:TOS-1A before firing.jpg
File:Tactical exercises of Radiological, Chemical and Biological Protection Troops units at Shikhani training ground (410-19).jpg
File:Tactical exercises of Radiological, Chemical and Biological Protection Troops units at Shikhani training ground (410-20).jpg
File:Tactical exercises of Radiological, Chemical and Biological Protection Troops units at Shikhani training ground (410-21).jpg

See also

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References

External links

Video of the TOS-1 in action




Detailed article on Rbase


V. Kuzmin's photo blog about the 2010 Victory Parade in Moscow


Russia's TOS-1: Moscow's Most Powerful Weapon of War (That Isn't Nuclear) - National Interest

{{Soviet and Russian artillery after WW2
Self-propelled artillery of the Soviet Union
Multiple rocket launchers
Omsktransmash products
Military vehicles introduced in the 1980s
Multiple rocket launchers of the Soviet Union
Tracked self-propelled rocket launchers