KNDS Unveils MARS 3 MLRS With NSM Capability and 300-km Range

KNDS Deutschland presented the MARS 3 multiple launch rocket system, which is positioned as a replacement for the M270, at the Eurosatory international exhibition in Paris.

According to Militarnyi’s correspondent at Eurosatory, the system is based on an Iveco Trakker FSA 8×8 truck equipped with a universal launcher. The launcher is capable of firing both munitions designed for the Israeli PULS system and European missile variants, including anti-ship missiles.

The vehicle has a combat weight of 38 tons, and its 500-horsepower engine enables a top road speed of 90 km/h. Its operational range exceeds 750 kilometers. An important logistical advantage is the integrated onboard crane, which allows the system to reload autonomously in the field.

Customers can also independently select a vehicle platform for installation of the launch module.

The MARS 3 crew consists of two or three service members operating from a protected cabin. The manufacturer adapts the vehicle’s armor protection level to specific customer requirements.

The manufacturer emphasizes the system’s operating range of up to 300 kilometers, though it does not specify the ammunition type. Earlier KNDS press releases indicated compatibility with a wide range of weapons, including Israeli-made rockets with ranges of 30 to 80 kilometers, as well as longer-range systems such as the NSM anti-ship missile with a range of 250 kilometers, versions of the new JFSM long-range strike missile with a range of 499 kilometers, and AT2 munitions for remote minefield deployment at ranges of up to 150 kilometers.

The German Ministry of Defense currently plans to conclude a framework agreement to purchase approximately 500 MARS 3 rocket systems. Parliamentary consideration of the project is expected during the second half of 2026.

Half of the ordered systems are intended for the German Army, while the remaining systems will be available for purchase by allied countries under the same conditions and at prices similar to those offered to the Bundeswehr.

In July 2025, the MARS 3 rocket system was first tested in Norway with a live launch of the NSM anti-ship missile.
This opened opportunities for countries seeking a universal solution that combines coastal defense capabilities and a rocket system for striking land targets on a single platform.

The NSM missile is 4 meters long, weighs more than 400 kilograms, and is equipped with a 120-kilogram penetrating high-explosive warhead.