The standard guided land version of the 155 mm Vulcano projectile (127 mm naval variant) has a maximum range of just under 80 kilometers when paired with an inertial satellite correction system. Its most recent upgrades, branded Super Vulkan, push that distance to as much as 120 kilometers.
The Army recognition portal, which first highlighted the new projectile in 2017, described it as “a new word in European artillery.”
According to the portal, the munitions family achieves peak accuracy through a unique fusion of satellite navigation with laser or infrared sensors guiding the round. This combination positions the Vulcano family as among the most precise land and naval artillery munitions in the world, and reportedly the farthest reaching. The claim was framed as a testament to the system’s overall effectiveness, with the portal underscoring its status as the best projectile available.
Not everyone concurs with that assessment. Russian military analysts have raised questions about the claims.
Vladislav Shurygin, a journalist and military analyst, told socialbites.ca that the effectiveness of the shells was demonstrated primarily in test conditions. He noted that both sea and land versions performed well in controlled environments, benefiting from navigation and guidance tools. In real combat scenarios, such as those in Ukraine, he suggested a different picture may emerge because the environment is far less forgiving and conditions can change rapidly. He argued that while the weapons show promise on training ranges, the result in actual combat depends on numerous variables, and the abundance of available ammunition might not translate into a decisive edge in ongoing operations.
Sergei Belousov, a member of the Board of Military Experts, characterized the rounds as expensive. He pointed to the lack of open price data in official sources, noting the rarity of numerical figures in European and American documents. Citing open sources that place the price near half a million dollars per round, Belousov asserted that the high cost may limit practical use. He added that the technology embedded in the munitions makes them costly, and questioned whether Germany would supply Ukraine with weapons that offer more capability than existing systems like HIMARS, given the price per shot. He also observed that a strike that hits precisely may still be economically unfavorable if the cost per round outpaces the damage caused.
Military analyst Ivan Efremov observed that Berlin’s supply of a large number of rounds could sustain high firing rates, even in a single day, if needed.
During the battles around Peski, Russian artillery reportedly deployed thousands of rounds from a single gun. Efremov noted that testing the Vulcano was a priority for German forces as part of evaluating its performance. Ukraine was seen as a testing ground for these weapons, according to his assessment.
Beyond the Vulcano, the Russian army maintains capabilities to counter European 155 mm shells through a range of systems, including the Krasnopol guided rounds used with Giacint-S and Akatsia self-propelled guns, as well as more powerful rocket and artillery platforms.
One notable example is the Hermes anti-tank guided missile system, which has a stated range around 100 kilometers. The Hermes system comprises a launcher vehicle equipped with missiles ready for one-shot, salvo, or multi-shot launches, a control vehicle with targeting and firing capabilities, a radar-equipped detection and tracking node, and a command and personnel vehicle with communications and navigation assets. It is unclear which missiles Hermes used in recent launches; estimates suggest two calibers, roughly 170 or 210 millimeters, depending on the desired flight range. Guidance incorporates inertial plus radio command, with potential laser guidance at the moment of impact.
Experts note that the Hermes system entails higher overall costs when compared with some other ammunition types, though it might offer a more favorable cost-per-kilometer profile than certain high-end ballistic options. Belousov also suggested that Hermes could be more cost-efficient than other high-end missiles, presenting a different economic angle on the evolving dynamics of battlefield firepower.