Valkiri | |
---|---|
Type | Multiple rocket launcher |
Place of origin | South Africa |
Service history | |
In service | 1972–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 | |
Mass | 6,400 kg (14,080 lbs) |
Length | 5.35 m (17 ft 7 in) |
Width | 2.3 m (7 ft 7 in) |
Height | 2.32 m (7 ft 7 in) |
Crew | 2 |
Caliber | 127 mm (5 in) |
Barrels | 24 |
Effective firing range | 36 km (22 mi) |
Filling | HE-Fragmentation 2.68 m (8 ft 10 in) |
Engine | diesel |
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]
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.
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