The BM-27 Uragan ('Hurricane') was a significant improvement over the USSR's previous multiple rocket launchers, all of which were derivatives of the venerable Grad. The BM-27 is based on the chassis of a ZIL-135LM 8 x 8 truck and features an unarmored (but NBC protected) crew compartment in the front with the powerplant in the rear. The rocket pod carries a total of 16 220-mm launch tubes, four on the top row and six on two lower rows, and there are two stabilizers in the rear to add stability when firing. Munitions include high-explosive, anti-personnel and anti-tank mines and minelets and, reportedly, chemical and thermobaric rockets as well, with standard rockets having a range of 10-35 km. An entire salvo can be fired in 20 seconds and can cover an area the size of just under half a kilometer. One of the drawbacks of the BM-27 is its long reload time of 20-30 minutes, which is over twice that of the US MLRS. Despite this, the BM-27 has seen widespread service with Soviet and Russian forces at regimental and brigade levels including the wars in Afghanistan, Chechnya, Syria, and Ukraine (where it has also been used by Ukrainian forces which inherited large numbers of former Soviet vehicles). It has also been exported extensively to Soviet client states, particularly in Africa and Asia.

The BM-27 Uragan began development in the early 1970s and was given the NATO designation M1977, this being the first year in which it was observed. It was also given the GRAU index 9P140. The BM-27M Uragan-1M is a newer variant that features modular rocket launcher pods, that can fire the 300-mm rockets of the BM-30 as well, and can fire guided munitions up to a range of 70 km. A further variant with twin 15-launcher pods is known as the 9A53 Uragan-U.