The Thailand-Cambodia border conflict in 2025 has escalated sharply. One of the pieces of military equipment gaining attention as Cambodia's "main weapon" tactically is the BM-21 Grad, a Soviet-made multiple rocket launcher with a long history.
Reasons why Cambodia chose the BM-21, its cost, and obstacles that prevent Thailand from fully eliminating this weapon in some situations.
Cambodia chose the BM-21 as its spearhead not for precision, but for its "wide-area destructive effectiveness" and "mobility."
Area Saturation Firing: The BM-21 can launch 40 rockets of 122 mm caliber within just 20 seconds to 1 minute. These rockets fall over the target area in a scattered (saturation) pattern, making defense difficult and causing widespread damage to military bases or communities.
"Shoot and Scoot" Tactic: The launcher is mounted on a 6-wheel drive truck, enabling rapid movement to firing positions and quick withdrawal immediately after firing, before Thai radar systems can detect rocket trajectories and respond with counter-fire.
Psychological Impact: The intense noise and volume of falling rockets heavily affect the morale of soldiers and civilians in rear areas more than conventional artillery.
The price of BM-21 rockets (122 mm) varies depending on the source (genuine Russian or Chinese/Eastern European versions) and the economic conditions at the time. Estimated prices are as follows:
Average price per rocket: approximately 1,200 to 3,800 US dollars (around 40,000 to 130,000 baht).
Full salvo (40 rockets): costs about 1.6 to 5.2 million baht per firing.
Although it may seem expensive, compared to guided missiles costing tens of millions of baht each, the BM-21 is considered a "cheap weapon" that delivers substantial pressure on target areas.
Although the Thai military has superior technology, including counter-battery radar and F-16 fighter jets, three key reasons hinder their complete elimination:
Use of "human shields" and ancient sites: Reports and evidence indicate Cambodia places rocket launchers near temples or ancient Khmer ruins (such as the Ta Kwai or Ta Muen Thom temples) and populated areas as protective shields. If Thailand retaliates heavily and damages these sites, Cambodia uses this diplomatically to condemn Thailand internationally.
Terrain: The dense forested and mountainous border area facilitates concealment and easy movement of rocket launcher trucks, making aerial surveillance difficult under certain weather conditions.
Rules of Engagement (ROE): The Thai military carefully avoids impacting Cambodian civilians. Counterattacks are limited to confirmed coordinates only, unlike Cambodia’s use of BM-21 to fire randomly over wide areas.