OVERVIEW: The Fajr‑3 is an unguided, 240 mm surface‑to‑surface artillery rocket developed by Iran. It delivers high‑explosive fragmentation warheads for area saturation.

DETAILS: The Fajr‑3 was reverse‑engineered from North Korea’s M‑1985 MLRS and entered Iranian service around 1996. It is spin‑stabilized, measures 5.2 m in length, weighs approximately 407 kg, and carries a ~90 kg warhead containing ~45 kg of explosive. Launch range reaches up to 43 km, and it is deployed in 12‑tube box launchers mounted on Mercedes 2631 or Isuzu 6×6 chassis. The launcher fires in 4–8 seconds with a full salvo and is crew‑operated from a vehicle‑mounted control console.

It is equipped with spin and fin stabilizers; fuzing is impact‑based, and propulsion uses double‑base solid propellant. Reload is performed manually via crane‑equipped support vehicles, and the system is operated by a crew of five. Rockets may be fired singly or in full salvo depending on tactical requirements.

NOTE:
IOC: 1996
Operators: Iran; non‑state operators include Hezbollah and Hamas
Platforms: Mercedes‑2631 or Isuzu‑6×6 12‑tube launcher vehicles
Conflict used in: 2006 Lebanon War (by Hezbollah); Syrian Civil War (by Iran and allies)

SOURCE: Shahid Bagheri Industrial Group export data; U.S. Army Training Circular; Jane’s Land Warfare Platforms; RAND Corporation “Hard Fighting: Israel in Lebanon and Gaza”; NTI Iran missile overview