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

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.

Variants

Operators

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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.