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MortarsIn service
Heavy mortar
Mortier 120 mm Rayé Tracté Modèle F1 is a heavy mortar originating in France. It was built by Thales, TDA Armements (France), Thomson-CSF/Daimler Benz Aerospace (Germany), Hotchkiss Brandt (Netherlands), Howa (Japan). Reported operators include Belgium, Cameroon, Colombia, Cyprus, Djibouti, Gabon, France, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Kurdistan, Lebanon, Mexico, Netherlands, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Ukraine.
FranceMortier 120 mm Rayé Tracté Modèle F1
Audiovisuele Dienst Koninklijke Landmacht (AVDKL) · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source ↗ · ModifiedHeavy mortar
France
1961–present
See Operators
Gulf War Lebanese Civil War War in Afghanistan Operation Serval Russo-Ukrainian War
Thales, Thomson-Brandt
Thales, TDA Armements (France), Thomson-CSF/Daimler Benz Aerospace (Germany), Hotchkiss Brandt (Netherlands), Howa (Japan)
1961–present
582 kg (1,283 lb)
2.08 m (6 ft 10 in)
4 gunners, 2 vehicle crew
18.7 kg (41 lb)
120 mm (4.7 in) NATO mortar round
wheeled
30–85°
±14° from centreline
18 rounds per minute (maximum) 6 rounds per minute (sustained)
8,140 m (8,900 yd) with standard projectile 12,850 m (14,050 yd) with rocket-assisted projectile
Belgium : 52 delivered in 1965–1966.
Cameroon : 16 delivered in 1973.
Colombia : 38 Turkish HY1-12 delivered in 2009.
Cyprus : 114 delivered in 1990–1991. 112 in service in 2016.
Djibouti : 20 delivered in 1981.
Gabon : 4 delivered in 1986.
France : 128 in 2016.
Italy : 139 delivered between 2000 and 2004. The Military Balance gives 142 in service as of 2016 .
Japan : 462 delivered between 1990 and 2017.
Kuwait : ~12 in service.
Kurdistan : French aid to Peshmerga Forces to fight ISIS, Also captured from the old Iraqi Military during Operation Iraqi Freedom .
Lebanon : 24 delivered in 2012.
Mexico : 32 delivered in 1988, still in service.
Netherlands : 145 delivered in 1966–1968
Pakistan : In service with the Pakistan Army and Frontier Corps .
Qatar : 200 in service
Saudi Arabia : 200 delivered in 1990–1991 and 25 2R2M in 2009–2010, both used by the National Guard .
Turkey : 127 deployed in Northern Cyprus as of 2016 .
Ukraine : 4 delivered by Belgium during the Russian invasion of Ukraine
Canada
Iraq
Panama Formerly used by the Panama Defense Forces .
Rwanda : 25 delivered in 1990–1991.
United States : 66 delivered between 2008 and 2013 —in service with the US Marine Corps as the M327 120 mm Expeditionary Fire Support System Phased out in 2017.
The MO-120 RT (factory designator) or MO-120-RT is a French heavy mortar .
The MO-120-RT is currently used by the French Army (where it is known as RT F1 or Mortier de 120 mm Rayé Tracté Modèle F1 —"120 mm rifled towed mortar, model F1"), and has also been exported to more than 24 foreign countries or in some cases, produced under licence.
The MO-120 RT (factory designator) or MO-120-RT is a French heavy mortar . The RT in the designator stands for rayé, tracté , which means rifled, towed. The MO-120-RT is currently used by the French Army (where it is known as RT F1 or Mortier de 120 mm Rayé Tracté Modèle F1 —"120 mm rifled towed mortar, model F1"), and has also been exported to more than 24 foreign countries or in some cases, produced under licence. It is issued to artillery units, where it complements artillery guns and systems; although infantry units operate it in some countries.
The MO-120 RT uses 120 mm rounds with a range of 8.2 km (5.1 mi) and the PRPA (RAP-Rocket Assisted Projectile) with a range of 13 km (8.1 mi). The weapon can be fired either by dropping the round down the tube (after aligning of the rifling bands) resulting in an automatic firing once the bomb hits the tube base, or by a controlled firing by dropping the bomb down the tube and pulling on a lanyard that will in turn set off the triggering mechanism in the base of the tube.
The MO-120 RT uses 120 mm rounds with a range of 8.2 km (5.1 mi) and the PRPA (RAP-Rocket Assisted Projectile) with a range of 13 km (8.1 mi).
The MO-120 RT uses 120 mm rounds with a range of 8.2 km (5.1 mi) and the PRPA (RAP-Rocket Assisted Projectile) with a range of 13 km (8.1 mi).
Fired mortar rounds can reach as high as 4,000 m (13,000 ft) and hit the ground with an effective kill radius of 76 m (249 ft).
In French service, this weapon is normally towed by the VTM 120 ( Véhicule Tracteur Mortier de 120 mm ), a wheeled armored vehicle that is a derivative of the VAB 4×4 series of armored personnel carrier. Towing is accomplished by a towing hitch that is screwed onto the muzzle of the weapon. The VTM 120 also carries 70 rounds for the mortar and offers basic ballistic protection from small arms fire and shrapnel for the crew. The RT-61 can also be towed by the AMX-10 TM ( Tracteur de Mortier ), which is a version of the AMX-10P tracked APC or the future French Scorpion SERVAL Vehicle.
In France, the mortars, which originally equipped infantry regiments, have now all been transferred to the artillery regiments, where they augment the 155 mm towed artillery.
The United States Marine Corps began looking for an expeditionary fire support system (EFSS) in 2001 after the start of operations in Afghanistan exposed their lack of expeditionary artillery lighter than a 155 mm howitzer but heavier than a 60 mm mortar. Early on, the 120 RT weapon became tied to the development of the MV-22 Osprey , which would contain a Growler ITV jeep that would tow it; both efforts were troubled and experienced delays. The EFSS was first used operationally in Afghanistan in February 2011, firing an M1105 illumination projectile. The full EFSS was introduced in 2009, consisting of two light vehicles, one towing the mortar and the other an ammunition trailer, that fit inside an MV-22 or CH-53E Super Stallion ; an EFSS battery is made up of roughly 50 marines.
The 35 lb (16 kg) round increased range from 8 km (5.0 mi) to 16 km (9.9 mi), falling within 10 m (33 ft) of the target and as close as two meters, costing $18,000 each, and having 2.5–3 times the lethality.
M327 120 mm rifled towed mortar
Reference text from Wikipedia contributors, used under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Points represent sourced observations, including revisions. Revisions on the same effective date are not separate inventory events. Ranges appear in the table and are not plotted as exact points.
| Observation / report period | Value | Source | Claim state |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28 Sept 2026 | 582 kg | Wikipedia contributors | superseded |
| 28 Sept 2026 | 582 kg | Wikipedia contributors | approved |
| 28 Sept 2026 | 582 kg | Wikipedia contributors | superseded |
| 28 Sept 2026 | 582 kg | Wikipedia contributors | superseded |
| 28 Sept 2026 | 582 kg | Wikipedia contributors | superseded |
| 28 Sept 2026 | 582 kg | Wikipedia contributors | superseded |
| 28 Sept 2026 | 582 kg | Wikipedia contributors | superseded |
| 28 Sept 2026 | 582 kg | Wikipedia contributors | superseded |
| 28 Sept 2026 | 582 kg | Wikipedia contributors | superseded |
| 28 Sept 2026 | 582 kg | Wikipedia contributors | superseded |
| 28 Sept 2026 | 582 kg | Wikipedia contributors | superseded |
Mortier 120 mm Rayé Tracté Modèle F1 equipment records. Variants, orders and quantities are shown as reported in each inventory source; coverage is incomplete.
BelgiumNumber column of the Wikipedia list table under "Mortars". The list's own wording applies; it is a compiled secondary source, not an official census.
BrazilNumber column of the Wikipedia list table under "Heavy mortars". The list's own wording applies; it is a compiled secondary source, not an official census.
BurundiReported count for MO-120-RT61. Country-wide list; no individual service specified. 1 distinct count cell(s) from the same source list; shared rowspan cells counted once. Retired, wholly reserve and on-order rows are excluded; the reported count retains any explicitly mixed stock scope in the quoted row. Count column(s): quantity: 75. Origin: France. The listed variants/roles are the scope, not an immediately deployable count. Dates are the count-cell citations' stated source period (2021), not the article revision. 2021 cited publication year. Edition or publication years do not claim an exact inventory census day.
CameroonNumber column of the Wikipedia list table under "Mortar". The list's own wording applies; it is a compiled secondary source, not an official census.
Reported count for Mortier 120mm Rayé Tracté Modèle F1. Service scope: Cameroon Army; does not replace a national total. 1 distinct quantity component(s) from the same source list; shared rowspan cells counted once. Explicit source inventory scope: active; no other stock status or total inferred. Count column(s): in service: 16. Origin: France. The listed variants/roles are the scope, not an immediately deployable count. Dates are the count-cell citations' stated source period (2021), not the article revision. 2021 cited publication year. Edition or publication years do not claim an exact inventory census day.
Colombia
CyprusReported count for MO-120-RT. Service scope: Land Forces; does not replace a national total. 1 distinct count cell(s) from the same source list; shared rowspan cells counted once. Excludes retired/reserve/on-order rows. Count column(s): number: 116. Origin: France. The listed variants/roles are the scope, not an immediately deployable count. The components do not establish one inventory census date; the stored date is the retrieved source snapshot.
Democratic Republic of the CongoNumber column of the Wikipedia list table under "Mortars". The list's own wording applies; it is a compiled secondary source, not an official census.
DjiboutiReported count for MO-120-RT-61. Service scope: Djiboutian Army; does not replace a national total. 1 distinct count cell(s) from the same source list; shared rowspan cells counted once. Excludes retired/reserve/on-order rows. Count column(s): quantity: 20. Origin: France. The listed variants/roles are the scope, not an immediately deployable count. The components do not establish one inventory census date; the stored date is the retrieved source snapshot.
FranceReported count for MO 120 RT F1 · 120 mm mortar. Service scope: French Army; does not replace a national total. 1 distinct count cell(s) from the same source list; shared rowspan cells counted once. Excludes retired/reserve/on-order rows. Count column(s): number: 174. Origin: France. The listed variants/roles are the scope, not an immediately deployable count. The components do not establish one inventory census date; the stored date is the retrieved source snapshot.
GabonReported count for MO-120-RT. Country-wide list; no individual service specified. 1 distinct quantity component(s) from the same source list; shared rowspan cells counted once. Explicit source inventory scope: active; no other stock status or total inferred. Count column(s): in service: 4. Origin: France. The listed variants/roles are the scope, not an immediately deployable count. Dates are the count-cell citations' stated source period (2021), not the article revision. 2021 cited publication year. Edition or publication years do not claim an exact inventory census day.
Italy
JapanReported count for MO-120 RT Mortier 120 mm Rayé Tracté (Modèle F1). Service scope: Japan Ground Self-Defense Force; does not replace a national total. 1 distinct count cell(s) from the same source list; shared rowspan cells counted once. Excludes retired/reserve/on-order rows. Count column(s): quantity: 504. Origin: France Japan. The listed variants/roles are the scope, not an immediately deployable count. The components do not establish one inventory census date; the stored date is the retrieved source snapshot.
KenyaReported count for MO-120-RT-61. Service scope: Kenya Army; does not replace a national total. 1 distinct count cell(s) from the same source list; shared rowspan cells counted once. Retired, wholly reserve and on-order rows are excluded; the reported count retains any explicitly mixed stock scope in the quoted row. Count column(s): quantity: 12. Origin: France. The listed variants/roles are the scope, not an immediately deployable count. Dates are the count-cell citations' stated source period (2021), not the article revision. 2021 cited source edition. Edition or publication years do not claim an exact inventory census day.
Kuwait
LebanonReported count for Mortier 120mm Rayé Tracté Modèle F1. Country-wide list; no individual service specified. 1 distinct count cell(s) from the same source list; shared rowspan cells counted once. Retired, wholly reserve and on-order rows are excluded; the reported count retains any explicitly mixed stock scope in the quoted row. Count column(s): quantity: 24. Origin: France. The listed variants/roles are the scope, not an immediately deployable count. The components do not establish one inventory census date; the stored date is the retrieved source snapshot.
Mexico
NetherlandsReported count for MO-120-HB. Service scope: Royal Netherlands Army; does not replace a national total. 1 distinct count cell(s) from the same source list; shared rowspan cells counted once. Excludes retired/reserve/on-order rows. Count column(s): quantity: 22. Origin: France. The listed variants/roles are the scope, not an immediately deployable count. The components do not establish one inventory census date; the stored date is the retrieved source snapshot.
OmanReported count for Brandt АМ-50. Service scope: Royal Army of Oman; does not replace a national total. 1 distinct count cell(s) from the same source list; shared rowspan cells counted once. Retired, wholly reserve and on-order rows are excluded; the reported count retains any explicitly mixed stock scope in the quoted row. Count column(s): quantity: 12. Origin: France. The listed variants/roles are the scope, not an immediately deployable count. The components do not establish one inventory census date; the stored date is the retrieved source snapshot.
Pakistan
QatarReported count for MO-120RT. Country-wide list; no individual service specified. 1 distinct count cell(s) from the same source list; shared rowspan cells counted once. Excludes retired/reserve/on-order rows. Count column(s): quantity: 200. Origin: France. The listed variants/roles are the scope, not an immediately deployable count. The components do not establish one inventory census date; the stored date is the retrieved source snapshot.
Saudi Arabia
SenegalReported count for MO-120-RT-61. Service scope: Army; does not replace a national total. 1 distinct count cell(s) from the same source list; shared rowspan cells counted once. Retired, wholly reserve and on-order rows are excluded; the reported count retains any explicitly mixed stock scope in the quoted row. Count column(s): quantity: 32. Origin: France. The listed variants/roles are the scope, not an immediately deployable count. The components do not establish one inventory census date; the stored date is the retrieved source snapshot.
Türkiye
UkraineArmy exact named equipment holdings: MO-120. Active, operational-reserve and training units excluding equipment in store; November 2025 IISS assessment. Named service only; no parent-force or national total inferred. Source role: ARTILLERY / 120mm. Original estimates, ranges, reporting names, reserve, lease and employment scopes retained; nested included counts are not added. Missile-system quantities mean launchers, not rounds. No readiness, crew, carried weapon, payload, factory-production or future order count inherited.
VenezuelaReported count for Brandt. Country-wide list; no individual service specified. 1 distinct count cell(s) from the same source list; shared rowspan cells counted once. Excludes retired/reserve/on-order rows. Count column(s): quantity: 12. Origin: France. The listed variants/roles are the scope, not an immediately deployable count. The components do not establish one inventory census date; the stored date is the retrieved source snapshot.
Belgium, Cameroon, Colombia, Cyprus, Djibouti, Gabon, France, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Kurdistan, Lebanon, Mexico, Netherlands, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Ukraine
Equipment reference ↗Reported count for MO-120-RT. Country-wide list; no individual service specified. 1 distinct count cell(s) from the same source list; shared rowspan cells counted once. Retired, wholly reserve and on-order rows are excluded; the reported count retains any explicitly mixed stock scope in the quoted row. Count column(s): in service: 4. Origin: France. The listed variants/roles are the scope, not an immediately deployable count. Dates are the count-cell citations' stated source period (2021), not the article revision. 2021 cited publication year. Edition or publication years do not claim an exact inventory census day.