M270 MLRS (M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System, often abbreviated as M270 MLRS) is an armored self-propelled multiple rocket launcher weapon system. The U.S. military first used the M270 rocket launchers in 1983, and NATO member states began to adopt a number of M270s which gradually become standard NATO weapons. The United States and European countries produced a total of approximately 1,300 M270s with about 700,000 rockets. In 2003, after delivery of the last batch of Egyptian Army M270s, the M270 was officially discontinued. The German army has on active duty 50 vehicles, with 202 vehicles used for backup.