GRAU classification system
The Main Missile and Artillery Directorate (Glavnoye Raketno-Artilleryskoye Upravleniye, GRAU) operates as the principal organization for Soviet and Russian artillery, rocket systems, and ammunition development and procurement. GRAU index numbers provide standardized identification for all artillery systems, missiles, launch platforms, and munitions used by Russian armed forces.
Organizational background
Establishment: Founded 1862 as Artillery Committee, reorganized multiple times before current GRAU designation in 1960s.
Scope: All tube artillery, rocket artillery, tactical missiles, ammunition, fire control systems, and related equipment.
Index system: Standardized GRAU indices using format like "2S19" for self-propelled howitzer or "9K72" for missile system.
Responsibilities: Requirements definition, design supervision, trials oversight, procurement management, ammunition standardization.
GRAU index structure
System designation format
Numeric codes: Multi-digit codes indicating system type and characteristics.
Letter prefixes: Indicate broad system category:
- 2S: Self-propelled artillery
- 2A: Towed artillery/tank guns
- 9K: Missile complexes
- 9M: Missiles
- 9P: Missile launchers
Sequential numbering: Generally chronological within categories as programs develop.
Variant suffixes: Letters or additional numbers denoting modifications (2S19M1, 9M133-1).
Artillery systems
Self-propelled artillery (2S series)
2S1 Gvozdika: 122mm self-propelled howitzer on MT-LB chassis.
2S3 Akatsiya: 152mm self-propelled howitzer providing divisional fire support.
2S5 Giatsint-S: 152mm self-propelled gun for counter-battery and long-range fires.
2S7 Pion: 203mm heavy self-propelled gun for deep strike missions.
2S19 Msta-S: Modern 152mm self-propelled howitzer with advanced fire control.
2S35 Koalitsiya-SV: Next-generation 152mm automated SP howitzer with increased rate of fire.
Towed artillery (2A/D series)
2A36 Giatsint-B: 152mm towed gun for counter-battery missions.
2A65 Msta-B: 152mm towed howitzer, towed equivalent to 2S19.
2A18/D-30: 122mm howitzer widely exported and used across multiple conflicts.
2A45 Sprut-B: 125mm anti-tank gun for airborne forces.
D-20: 152mm gun-howitzer legacy system from 1950s still in service.
Tank/AFV armament (2A series)
2A46: 125mm smoothbore tank gun family for T-64, T-72, T-80, T-90.
2A70: 100mm gun/missile launcher for BMP-3 IFV.
2A72: 30mm autocannon for BMP-2, BMD-4, various IFVs.
2A42: 30mm dual-feed autocannon for Mi-28, Ka-50/52 helicopters.
Rocket artillery and missile systems
Multiple rocket launchers (9K series)
9K51 Grad: 122mm rocket artillery system, most widely deployed MLRS globally.
9K57 Uragan: 220mm heavy rocket system for brigade-level fires.
9K58 Smerch: 300mm long-range precision rocket system.
9K515 Tornado-G: Modernized Grad with increased range and precision.
9K515 Tornado-S: Advanced Smerch replacement with guided munitions capability.
Tactical ballistic missiles (9K series)
9K72 Elbrus (Scud): Tactical ballistic missile widely exported to Soviet allies.
9K79 Tochka: Short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) replacing Scud at tactical level.
9K720 Iskander: Modern precision SRBM/cruise missile system with advanced countermeasures.
Anti-tank guided missiles (9K/9M series)
9K111 Fagot: Wire-guided ATGM for infantry use.
9K113 Konkurs: Improved wire-guided system with increased penetration.
9K115 Metis: Portable fiber-optic guided ATGM.
9K133 Kornet: Laser beam-riding ATGM with tandem warhead defeating modern armor.
Air defense systems (9K series)
9K33 Osa: Mobile short-range SAM system.
9K37 Buk: Medium-range SAM system for division-level air defense.
9K96 Pantsir: Combined gun/missile short-range air defense system.
9K317 Buk-M3: Modern Buk variant with enhanced capabilities.
Ammunition classification
Artillery ammunition
OF series: High-explosive fragmentation rounds.
BR series: Armor-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot.
BK series: HEAT anti-tank rounds.
3BM series: APFSDS for tank guns (3BM42 Mango, 3BM60 Svinets).
3UBK series: Gun-launched ATGMs for tank armament.
Rocket warheads
9M series: Rocket projectiles for MLRS systems.
Cluster munitions: Sub-munition dispensing warheads for area targets.
Precision rounds: GPS/GLONASS guided projectiles (Krasnopol family).
Thermobaric: Fuel-air explosive warheads for bunker/cave targets.
Development process
Requirements generation: GRAU defining performance parameters based on operational needs and threat assessment.
Design bureaus: Multiple specialized institutes competing or collaborating on development (KBP Instrument Design Bureau, Tula Design Bureau, others).
Prototype trials: Extensive testing at Kapustin Yar, Pugachev, and other proving grounds.
State acceptance: Formal military trials and acceptance before series production authorization.
Series production: Assignment to specific factories for manufacturing, often with parallel production at multiple sites.
Continuous improvement: Ongoing modifications producing variants and upgraded systems throughout service life.
Modern developments
Precision munitions: Transition from unguided to GPS/GLONASS-guided artillery and rockets improving accuracy.
Range extension: Base-bleed, rocket-assisted projectiles extending engagement ranges.
Automation: Automated fire control, loading systems reducing crew requirements and increasing rate of fire.
Network integration: Linking systems to battlefield networks for rapid targeting and fire mission execution.
Export variants: Downgraded versions for international market maintaining technological advantages.
Related resources
Artillery Systems (/guide/army/ar/): Complete catalog of artillery platforms and fire support systems.
Rocket Systems (/guide/army/rk/): Tactical missile and rocket artillery documentation.
Ground Forces Equipment (/guide/army/): Main index for all ground forces systems.
Armored Directorate (/guide/army/index_gbtu.shtml): GBTU classification for armored vehicles.
GRAU classification reference maintained for equipment identification and historical documentation purposes.