Valkiri

Last updated
Valkiri
Valkiri multiple rocket launcher system.jpg
Type Multiple rocket launcher
Place of originSouth Africa
Service history
In service1972–present [1]
Used by South African National Defence Force
Wars South African Border War
Angolan Civil War
Production history
Designer Armscor, Somchem
Variants Bateleur (40 launch tubes)
Specifications
Mass6,400kg (14,080lbs)
Length5.35 m (17 ft 7 in)
Width2.3 m (7 ft 7 in)
Height2.32 m (7 ft 7 in)
Crew2

Caliber 127mm (5 in)
Barrels24
Effective firing range36km (22mi)
FillingHE-Fragmentation 2.68 m (8 ft 10 in)

Enginediesel
Suspension Mercedes Benz Unimog 4×4 truck
Operational
range
400 km (250 mi)
Maximum speed 90 km/h (56 mph) (road)

The Valkiri is a South African self-propelled multiple rocket launcher. It is a 127mm system with a wheeled launcher vehicle, and fire control equipment developed by Armscor. [2] Contemporary models consist of a single launch module with five eight-cell rocket pods on a Unimog or SAMIL-100 carrier. Its mission is to engage in counter-battery strikes against hostile artillery and air defences as far as 36 km (22 mi) away. Other potential warheads include cluster and an anti-tank mine dispenser. [3]

Contents

Background

In history, there are many examples of the use of these type of vehicles. In the second world war, its use by Soviet Union became famous: Katyusha rocket launcher or "Stalin's organ".

The system is inspired by the Soviet BM-21 Grad, which was deployed against South African expeditionary forces in Angola during Operation Savannah . Development was completed in 1971. [4] Valkiris played a key role in Operation Alpha Centauri and Operation Moduler during the late 1980s.

South Africa developed its arms industry in the follow-up of the international sanctions against apartheid, which foreclosed its access to the international arms market. The UN voted for voluntary sanctions by 1963 and made these compulsory by 1977.

Variants

Operators

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The South African defence industry is the most advanced in Africa and one of the most advanced and largest in the world with over 20 defence companies. The defence industry provides weapons and equipment to the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and for export customers. The South African defence industry develops weapons and combat systems such as rifles, armored fighting vehicles, tanks, artillery, military aircraft, navy ships and missiles.

References

  1. "Valkiri Multiple Launch Rocket System".
  2. "Valkiri Multiple Artillery Rocket" . Retrieved 25 October 2006.
  3. ARG. "Bateleur Multiple Launch Rocket System | Military-Today.com". www.military-today.com. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
  4. Monick, S. The Forging of a Strike Force (Part I): Central themes in the history of the South African Army 1980-1990. Scientia Militaria, 1993, Volume 23 Issue 3 p. 364-377.
  5. Heitman, Helmoed-Römer (1990). South African Armed Forces. Cape Town, South Africa: Buffalo Publications. p. 123. ISBN   9780620148788.
  6. Leon Engelbrecht (27 January 2011). "Denel FV2 Bateleur Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS)" . Retrieved 5 November 2014.