Zelzal-2

Zelzal-2
Missile and TEL display in 2019
TypeArtillery rocket
Place of originIran
Service history
In service1998–present
Used bySee § Operators
Wars
Production history
VariantsSee § Variants
Specifications
Diameter610 mm (24 in)
Maximum firing range200 km (120 mi)
Warhead weight600 kg (1,300 lb)
PropellantSolid
Accuracy300 m (330 yd)
Launch
platform
Transporter erector launcher

Zelzal-2/Mushak-200 (Persian: زلزال-۲, meaning "Earthquake") is an Iranian unguided long-range artillery rocket. The Zelzal-2 is a 610 mm truck-launched rocket that has a payload of 600 kg and a range of about 200 km. Development of the Zelzal series began in 1990 and the Zelzal-2 was first shown in 1998. It is developed from the Zelzal-1 and was developed into the improved Zelzal-3 artillery rocket and the highly successful Fateh-110 guided missile family. It has been exported to Syria, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, and has seen combat use in the Syrian Civil War and Yemeni Civil War.

The rocket is thought to be based on the Soviet 9K52 Luna-M rocket.

Variants

Maysaloun missile

A Syrian version of the system, called Maysaloun missile, was named after the Battle of Maysalun. Basic technology of the Syrian version is based on the Iranian Zelzal-2 and was first revealed in 2012.

Basic variant of the missile has the power to have a maximum range of 130 or 210 km and 600 kg warhead weight. The missile has CEP of 300 m, and destruction radius of 600 m in the basic variant. It uses solid-propellant engine and therefore does not require more than 15 minutes to launch. This Syrian missile is a downgraded M-600 missile without the high accuracy targeting system used for less important targets. Improved variants of the missile are tactical short-range ballistic missiles and have a range of 400 km and 600 km.

Manufactured in Syria by the Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Center and Syrian Defense Industries.

Combat Use

Zelzal-2 rockets were fired against Syrian rebels in the Syrian Civil War; the amount used is believed to be small. A small number of Zelzal-2 rockets captured or purchased by Syrian rebel group Jaysh al-Islam were fired against Syrian regime targets on 31 August 2014 and 6 March 2017. They also fired one in September 2015. A Zelzal rocket (unidentified variant) retrofitted with a precision guidance system was reported fired by Lebanese Hezbollah against Tel Aviv on April 2 or April 3 2026.

Operators

Map with Zelzal-2 operators in blue

Current

Non-state actors

See also

References

  1. 1 2 John Pike (2011-07-24). "Mushak-200 / Zelzal-2". Globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 2013-09-03.
  2. ↑ "MissileThreat :: Zelzal-1/2/3". Archived from the original on 2009-11-26. Retrieved 2009-11-26. Zelzal-1/2/3 at missilethreat.com
  3. ↑ Iran Missile Milestones: 1985-2020 iranwatch.org
  4. ↑ "Weapons: Zelzal-2 Rockets in Lebanon". Strategypage.com. 2006-08-04. Retrieved 2013-09-03.
  5. 1 2 "Iran | Country Profiles". NTI. Retrieved 2013-09-03.
  6. ↑ "French-language news from Israel, the Middle East & the Jewish World". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2013-09-03.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  7. 1 2 3 4 "الترسانة الصاروخية السورية: من مفاجئات أي حرب مقبلة..."
  8. ↑ "Syria Missile Overview". Nuclear Threat Initiative. 7 August 2014. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  9. ↑ و في مناورات 2012 الصاروخية ظهرت صواريخ "ميسلون" و هناك تقارير تشير ان يصنع منها 3نسخالنسخة الاولى بمدى اكثر من 130 كم النسخةالثانية بمدى اكثر من 210 كمالنسخة الثالثة بمدى اكثر من 400 كم
  10. ↑ "Striking from the Dark, Jaish al-Islam fires Iranian Zelzal-2 rockets - Oryx". www.oryxspioenkop.com. Retrieved 2026-09-05.
  11. ↑ "Striking from the Dark, Jaish al-Islam fires Iranian Zelzal-2 rockets - Oryx". www.oryxspioenkop.com. Retrieved 2026-09-05.
  12. ↑ "Hide and Seek, the Story of Jaish al-Islam's 9K33 Osa SAMs - bellingcat". www.bellingcat.com. Retrieved 2026-09-05.
  13. ↑ "Iran Update, Special Report, April 3, 2026 | ISW". Archived from the original on 2026-04-04. Retrieved 2026-09-05.
  14. 1 2 "Defense & Security Intelligence & Analysis: IHS Jane's | IHS". Articles.janes.com. Retrieved 2013-09-03.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  15. ↑ "Farsnews". Archived from the original on 2018-07-22. Retrieved 2018-07-22.

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