Valkiri

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]

Valkiri
TypeMultiple rocket launcher
Place of originSouth Africa
Service history
In service1972–present[1]
Used bySouth African National Defence Force
WarsSouth African Border War
Angolan Civil War
Production history
DesignerArmscor, Somchem
VariantsBateleur (40 launch tubes)
Specifications
Mass6,400 kg (14,080 lbs)
Length5.35 m (17 ft 7 in)
Width2.3 m (7 ft 7 in)
Height2.32 m (7 ft 7 in)
Crew2
Caliber127 mm (5 in)
Barrels24
Effective firing range36 km (22 mi)
FillingHE-Fragmentation 2.68 m (8 ft 10 in)
Enginediesel
SuspensionMercedes Benz Unimog 4×4 truck
Operational
range
400 km (250 mi)
Maximum speed 90 km/h (56 mph) (road)

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
  • Valkiri-22 Mk 1 (original version): 24 launch tubes mounted on a Unimog light 4x4 truck.

  • Bateleur (current version): 40 launch tubes mounted on an armoured Samil 100 6x6 truck.
  • Valkiri-5 a shortened lighter trailer-mounted version for airborne use. It has 12 launch tubes and uses a shortened version of the 127 mm rocket that has a maximum range of 5500 metres.[5]

Operators

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.
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