Sapsan (missile System)

Hrіm-2, Grom or OTRK Sapsan (), also known as Operational-Tactical Missile System Hrim (), is a Ukrainian short-range ballistic missile system being developed by KB Pivdenne and PA Pivdenmash, designed to combine the features of a tactical missile system and a multiple rocket launcher. The original Sapsan version of the missile, for Ukraine's own use, was to have a range of 500 kilometers. The later Hrim-2 version, developed for export, has a range limited to 280 kilometers, in order to fall within the 300-kilometre limit set by the Missile Technology Control Regime, which seeks to limit the proliferation of missiles and missile technology.

History

Background

In 2006 the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine recognised the need for a missile system that would be better than Ukraine's aging Soviet Tochka-U, which had a maximum range of 120 km and could only be overhauled and upgraded by Russian companies. KB Pivdenne was given the task of developing a new missile designated the "Sapsan". The Ministry of Defence and Pivdenne agreed on operational requirements in September 2007. Funding for the project was halted in 2009–2010, following the 2008 financial crisis, then resumed in November 2011, albeit at a low amount, before being terminated in 2013.

In 2011 arms dealers started offering foreign customers a new missile system called "Hrim", and after two years, Pivdenne was contracted by an undisclosed country to develop the Hrim-2. In 2014, after the Russo-Ukrainian War had begun, Pivdenne proposed restarting the Sapsan project, using its experience developing the Hrim-2, with a view to having Sapsan ready for evaluation by 2018. The government agreed.

Hrim

Work on Hrim-2 was announced at the Arms and Security exhibition in Kyiv in 2014. In 2016 it was reported that Saudi Arabia had provided US$40 million for the research and development. A photograph of the chassis of a Hrim-2 transporter erector launcher appeared in May 2017; each vehicle could carry and launch two missiles. In April 2019 it was announced that two Hrim-2 prototypes had been produced, one for testing by Saudi Arabia and the other to be tested by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Saudi Arabia was expected to test their test article one later in 2019, with the system planned to enter service in 2022.
In October 2020, it was announced that US$300 million would be needed to complete the testing of Ukraine's prototype. In February 2021 the government decided to sign a contract to fund the production of a test battery consisting of two transporter erector launchers, two loading machines, and two control units (one for the battery commander and the other for the division commander). The contract had not yet been signed by April of 2021, but the Ministry of Defense hoped to do so in 2–3 months.

In June 2023, the then Ukraine Minister of Defense Oleksii Reznikov stated that the funds needed for completing the program had been approved and allocated.

In August 2024, Ukraine claimed to have successfully tested its first domestically-produced ballistic missile. While the specific missile-type was not disclosed, some commentators have speculated that the missile being referred to is the Hrim-2. On 22 October 2024, Yehor Cherniev, the head of Ukraine's NATO delegation, said that there would soon be "concrete results" from the use of Ukrainian-made ballistic missiles, probably referring to the Hrim-2.

On 9 November 2024, President Zelenskyy, during his daily address, talked about Ukrainian domestic production of weapons, specifically having produced “its first 100 missiles” without detailing what kind of missile. It is believed he was referring to Hrim-2 based on his comments of “striking deeper and deeper into Russia”, although he may also have been referring to other missiles such as the Long Neptune.

Operational history

Russo-Ukrainian War

Several large explosions occurred at Saky airbase at Novofedorivka in Russian-occupied Crimea, 220 km from the frontline, on 9 August 2022. The cause was unclear, but several media outlets discussed the possibility it was Hrim-2.

On May 6, 2023, Russian officials claimed that their air defenses shot down two Hrim-2 missiles over Crimea, without them causing casualties or damage. The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, noted that the officials did not specify the Hrim-2's target and that Russian sources amplified footage of alleged Hrim-2 remnants in a field.

In June 2025, Ukraine claimed to have conducted its first combat test of the Hrim-2, at a range of 300 km. According to the Ukrainian government, the missile has entered serial production. The stated range is , reaching speeds of and carrying a 480kg warhead, exceeding the capabilities of the ATACMS ballistic missile and placing it close to those of the 9K720 Iskander. It was also disclosed that the Hrim-2 does not have an official name.

Gallery

Hrim-2 - Sapsan missile complex, Kyiv, 2018 25.jpg
Hrim-2 - Sapsan missile complex, Kyiv, 2018 01.jpg
Hrim-2 - Sapsan missile complex, Kyiv, 2018 30.jpg
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Grim tactical missile 1.jpg

References

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Ballistic missiles of Ukraine
Surface-to-surface missiles
Theatre ballistic missiles