Artillery / Multiple rocket launchers / Valkiri

Valkiri

General Facts

  • TYPE
    Multiple rocket launcher

  • ORIGIN
    South Africa

  • NICKNAMES
    Bateleur (South African Army designation for Valkiri Mk II)
    Chindungu (UNITA nickname)
    Multiple Artillery Rocket System / MARS

  • DESIGNED
    1977 - 1981 (Mk I)
    1985 - 1989 (Mk II)

  • DESIGNER
    Somchem

  • PRODUCTION
    1982 - ? (Mk I)
    1990 - ? (Mk II)

  • PRODUCERS
    South Africa

  • QUANTITY
    25 (Mk I)
    16 (Mk II)

  • UNIT COST
    Unknown

  • CHARACTERISTICS
    Longer range than BM-21
    Good accuracy
    Expensive

Introduction

The Valkiri is a multiple rocket launcher of South African origin. The design is based on the Soviet BM-21 Grad, but was slightly improved in order to counter it from longer distances. Valkiri is Afrikaans for Valkyrie. The product improved Valkiri Mk II is known as Bateleur, which is a type of bird of prey.

Layout

The Valkiri system exists in two versions. The original Mk I is based on an Unimog 4x4 truck and is fitted with a 24 round launcher. The product improved Mk II is based on a SAMIL-100 6x6 truck with armored cab and it has a 40 round launcher.

Firepower

The Valkiri is fitted with a 24 round launcher for the 127mm unguided and spin stabalized rockets. The effective range is 22 km and the rate of fire is one rocket per second. The Mk II is fitted with a 40 round launcher that is also able to fire longer range rockets with a maximum range of 36 km.

Protection

The Mk I is based on an unarmored vehicle. A tarpaulin cover can be fitted over the launcher to disguise it as a normal truck. The Mk II protects the crew from mines, small arms fire and shell splinters. In both versions the crew is exposed during firing and reloading.

Mobility

Both versions of the Valkiri are mounted on a cross country truck, allowing for adequate mobility in the bush and on the road.

Users

The Valkiri Mk I and Mk II are both in use with the South African army. The Valkiri was offered for export and demonstrated abroad but no orders were placed.

Variants

Valkiri

The original Valkiri is based on the Unimog 4x4 truck chassis. It is a small vehicle and when fitted with a tarpaulin cover it looks like an ordinaray Unimog truck as used in the South African army. Two outriggers are placed at the rear and are lowered before firing. The Valkiri Mk I can only fire the original shorter range rockets.

TypeMultiple rocket launcher
Crew2 (commander, driver)
Length5.35 m
Width2.3 m
Height2.32 m
Ground clearance0.3 m
Weight6.4 t combat load
Ground pressure?
WheelbaseUnimog 4x4 truck, 12.50 x20 tires
Turn radius?
EngineV6 diesel, 99 hp at 2.800 rpm
Power ratio15.5 hp/t
Transmission2x 4 gear shift
Speed90 km/h
Fuel90 L
Range400 km
Wall0.35 m
Trench?
Gradient30% gradient
Fording0.6 m
ArmorNo
NBC equipmentNo
Night visionNo
SmokeNo
Remarks-
Armament127mm Valkiri Mk I (24x)
Weapon1127mm Valkiri Mk I launcher
24 rounds, all ready to fire, 1 rpm
110 degrees traverse
-0 to +50° elevation
non-stabilized
Weapon2-
Weapon3-
Weapon4-
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Bateleur

The Bateleur, also known as the Valkiri Mk II, is the product improved version of the original Valkiri. It is based on the SAMIL-100 truck and has been fitted with an armored and mine protected cab. Two hydraulic stabalizers are fitted at the rear and are lowered before firing. The Bateleur fires longer range 127mm rockets, but is also able to fire the original 127mm rockets.

TypeMultiple rocket launcher
Crew3 (commander, driver, gunner)
Length9.3 m
Width2.35 m
Height3.4 m
Ground clearance0.35 m
Weight21.5 t combat load
Ground pressure?
WheelbaseSAMIL-100 6x6 truck, 16.00 x20 run flat tires
Turn radius?
EngineV10 diesel, 315 hp at 2.500 rpm
Power ratio14.7 hp/t
TransmissionAutomatic, 5 speed
Speed93 km/h
Fuel400 L
Range800 km at 80 km/h
Wall0.5 m
Trench?
Gradient35% gradient
Fording1.2 m
ArmorSteel, mine proof cab
NBC equipment?
Night visionNo
SmokeNo
Remarks-
Armament127mm Valkiri Mk II (40x)
7.62mm MAG machine gun
Weapon1127mm Valkiri Mk II launcher
40 rounds, all ready to fire, 2 rpm
110 degrees traverse
-0 to +50° elevation
non-stabilized
Weapon27.62mm MAG machine gun on cabin roof
manual traverse and elevation
non-stabilized
Weapon3-
Weapon4-
Weapon5-
Weapon6-

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