Top 10 African countries with the most rocket projectors in 2025

A number of rocket launchers hardly ever command consideration in discussions about Africa’s navy capabilities. Conversations are likely to centre round drones, AK-47s, and armoured automobiles. But, these high-volume artillery programs have quietly change into a potent asset in a number of African armed forces.

MRLs are designed to fireside a barrage of unguided rockets in fast succession, making them efficient at saturating enemy positions, demolishing fortifications, and suppressing hostile forces.

In comparison with precision-guided munitions, they’re considerably extra inexpensive, an essential benefit for militaries managing restricted defence budgets.

Throughout the continent, many countries are grappling with irregular warfare, insurgencies, militias, and extremist teams entrenched in distant or rugged terrain. In such environments, cell rocket launchers just like the Soviet-designed BM-21 Grad or numerous domestically modified variants provide a versatile, hard-hitting resolution.

Their mobility permits fast deployment, whereas their firepower can ship devastating blows briefly bursts.

Some African international locations have even moved towards home manufacturing. South Africa, with its well-developed defence sector, manufactures the Bateleur a number of rocket launcher, an up to date system impressed by older Soviet fashions.

In the meantime, partnerships with nations like Russia, China, and Turkey have facilitated the acquisition of rocket artillery programs throughout the continent, deepening navy cooperation and shaping trendy doctrine.

Nonetheless, this rising reliance on MRLs comes with challenges. Their lack of precision has raised purple flags when utilized in densely populated areas.

Human rights organizations, together with the United Nations and Amnesty Worldwide, have documented civilian casualties ensuing from indiscriminate rocket fireplace in battle zones.

Egypt has the biggest variety of multiple-launch rocket programs (MLRS) in Africa, with a complete of 528 items, making it the eighth largest operator of such programs globally.