Valkiri
South African multiple rocket launcher
title: "Valkiri" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["wheeled-self-propelled-rocket-launchers", "rocket-artillery", "cold-war-artillery-of-south-africa", "field-artillery-of-the-cold-war", "127-mm-artillery", "multiple-rocket-launchers"] description: "South African multiple rocket launcher" topic_path: "geography/south-africa" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valkiri" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary South African multiple rocket launcher ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox weapon"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Valkiri |
| image | File:Фотографія Valkiri.jpg |
| image_size | 300 |
| origin | South Africa |
| type | Multiple rocket launcher |
| is_ranged | yes |
| is_explosive | yes |
| is_vehicle | yes |
| service | 1972–present |
| used_by | South African National Defence Force |
| wars | South African Border War |
| Angolan Civil War | |
| designer | Armscor, Somchem |
| variants | Bateleur (40 launch tubes) |
| weight | 6,400 kg (14,080 lbs) |
| length | 5.35 m |
| width | 2.3 m |
| height | 2.32 m |
| crew | 2 |
| caliber | 127 mm (5 in) |
| barrels | 24 |
| range | 36 km (22 mi) |
| filling | HE-Fragmentation 2.68 m |
| engine | diesel |
| suspension | Mercedes Benz Unimog 4×4 truck |
| vehicle_range | 400 km |
| speed | 90 km/h (road) |
| :: |
|name= Valkiri |image=File:Фотографія Valkiri.jpg |image_size=300 |caption= |origin= South Africa |type= Multiple rocket launcher |is_ranged=yes |is_explosive=yes |is_vehicle=yes |service= 1972–present |used_by=South African National Defence Force |wars= South African Border War Angolan Civil War |designer= Armscor, Somchem |design_date= |manufacturer= |unit_cost= |production_date= |number= |variants= Bateleur (40 launch tubes) |spec_label= |weight= 6,400 kg (14,080 lbs) |length= 5.35 m |part_length= |width=2.3 m |height=2.32 m |diameter= |crew=2 |warhead= |caliber=127 mm (5 in) |barrels=24 |action= |rate= |velocity= |range= 36 km (22 mi) |max_range= |feed= |sights= |filling=HE-Fragmentation 2.68 m |filling_weight= |detonation= |yield= |armour= |primary_armament= |secondary_armament= |engine=diesel |engine_power= |transmission= |payload_capacity= |fuel_capacity= |pw_ratio= |suspension=Mercedes Benz Unimog 4×4 truck |clearance= |vehicle_range=400 km |speed=90 km/h (road) |guidance=
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. | url = http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/valkiri.htm | title = Valkiri Multiple Artillery Rocket | access-date = 2006-10-25
Background
In history, there are many examples of the use of these types 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. 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
-
Valkiri-22 Mk 1 (original version): 24 launch tubes mounted on a Unimog light 4x4 truck. Bateleur
-
Bateleur (current version): 40 launch tubes mounted on an armoured Samil 100 6x6 truck.
-
**** 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.
Operators
-
- South African National Defence Force: 76 in reserve.
References
References
- "Valkiri - Multiple launch rocket system".
- ARG. "Bateleur - Multiple launch rocket system".
- 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.
- Heitman, Helmoed-Römer. (1990). "South African Armed Forces". Buffalo Publications.
- Leon Engelbrecht. (27 January 2011). "Denel FV2 Bateleur Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS)".
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