According to information published by the “Tactical Report” website on June 2, 2022, Egypt is close to procuring Brazilian-made AV-TM 300 surface-to-surface cruise missiles along with their launcher platform, the Avibras Astros II MK6 system, Army Recognition reported.

The Avibras is a self-propelled MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System) produced in Brazil by the Avibras company. The system is based on 6x6 truck chassis AV-VBA manufactured by the Brazilian company Tectran Engenharia, which is a subsidiary of Avibras.

The AV-TM 300 is a surface-to-surface tactical missile that was developed to be launched by the Astrol launcher system. The missile has a maximum firing range of 300 km.

The AV-TM 300 missile is equipped with a central computer that combines a Ring laser gyroscope, connected to an active GPS navigation device that uninterruptedly supplies positioning information for course correction. The warhead of the missile is fitted with an explosive or cluster munitions warhead with 64 anti-personnel or anti-tank targets sub-munitions. The warhead has a weight of 200 kg.

The Astros II MK6 is an artillery rocket launcher system that entered into service with the Brazilian army in 1983. The Mk6 version can use two types of truck chassis including the 6x6 T815-790R39 and 4x4 T815-7A0R59 manufactured by the Czech company TATRA.

The first version of the Astros MLRS was designed to fire rockets but the Mk6 version is able to fire the surface-to-surface cruise missile AV-TM 300. The launcher vehicle is fitted with a containerized weapon station consisting of eight, four, or one launcher tube, depending on the type of rocket or missile used.

A battery of Astros II MK6 includes up to six launcher vehicles, six ammunition supply vehicles, one fire control unit, one command post, and two mobile workshop vehicles. (Tactical Report; Army Recognition; Photo © Brazil MoD: Launcher Vehicle of Astros II Mk6 Rocket Launcher System from the Brazilian Marine Corps)