Improvisation on the battlefield transformed an automotive icon of the 90s into a vehicle capable of firing artillery salvos
Images released by Ukraine’s 114th Territorial Defense Brigade revealed one of the most unusual improvisations of the conflict in Eastern Europe: a BMW 7 Series — a luxury sedan from the 1990s — transformed into a mobile rocket launch platform. The vehicle, known for its comfort and armor in civilian versions, now acts on the front line as a light and fast artillery unit.
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In the video circulating on social networks, the E38 generation model appears with a modified rear. The bumper and trunk lid were removed to accommodate a compact multiple launch rocket system (MLRS). The adaptation allows the unit to fire projectiles and move quickly to avoid enemy counterattack, an essential tactic in modern drone and precision artillery warfare.
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The use of civilian vehicles adapted for combat, known militarily as “technicals”, is common in asymmetric war zones. Historically, rugged pickup trucks like the Toyota Hilux are preferred due to load capacity and durability. The choice of a BMW 7 Series, however, draws attention to the sophistication of the mechanical base.
The E38, produced between 1994 and 2001, is considered by many enthusiasts to be the pinnacle of the German brand’s design, having featured in films such as 007: Tomorrow Never Dies and Payload. Originally available with V8 and V12 engines, the sedan offers superior power and speed to traditional pickup trucks, which could be a tactical advantage for Ukrainian forces on the region’s paved roads or flat terrain.
Although the camouflage paint and military emblems try to disguise the vehicle’s origin, the classic BMW silhouette remains unmistakable. The conversion illustrates the brutal reality of the Ukrainian war effort, where any available resource — even a collector’s car intended for executives — is mobilized for territorial defense.
