OTR-21 Tochka

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	Weapon: OTR-21 Tochka Type: Rocket Artillery Country of Origin: USSR Year Adopted: 1976 Overall Length (mm): 6400.0 Overall Length (in): 251.97 Weight (kg): 2000.00 Weight (pounds): 4409.25

The OTR-21 Tochka, also known by its NATO designation SS-21 "Scarab," is a Soviet-era tactical ballistic missile system developed in the 1960s and officially introduced into service in 1976. Designed to provide mobile and responsive support for battlefield commanders, the system features a solid-fuel, single-stage missile capable of carrying conventional, nuclear, or chemical warheads. The missile has a maximum range of approximately 120 km (75 miles) in its earliest variant, with later upgrades like the Tochka-U extending its range to about 185 km (115 miles).

The Tochka was mounted on a 9P129 wheeled transporter-erector-launcher (TEL), providing rapid mobility and ease of deployment in varied terrains. Over 2,000 missiles and 300+ launchers were produced, with systems being exported to multiple Soviet-aligned states and allies. Despite being replaced in modern Russian service by more advanced systems like the Iskander, the Tochka remains operational in several countries, where it has undergone local upgrades or modifications.

The OTR-21 gained notoriety for its continued use in post-Cold War conflicts, including the Gulf War, Syrian Civil War, and more recently in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, where both Russia and Ukraine have employed Tochka systems. Its capacity to deliver precision strikes at tactical ranges and its ability to be deployed with relative speed has maintained its relevance, despite its Cold War origins. The system has been both praised for its battlefield effectiveness and criticized due to the civilian casualties resulting from its use in populated areas.