Military Wiki
Bateleur
Bateleur Multiple Rocket Launcher
Type Multiple rocket launcher
Place of origin South Africa
Service history
In service 1979–present[1]
Used by South African National Defence Force
Production history
Designer Denel, Somchem
Specifications
Mass 9,500 kg (20,944 lbs)
Length 8.53 m (28 ft 0 in)
Width 2.425 m (7 ft 11.5 in)
Height 3.125 m (10 ft 3.0 in)
Crew 5

Cartridge HE-Fragmentation: 2.68 m (8 ft 10 in)
Caliber 127 mm (5 in)
Barrels 40
Rate of fire 1 per sec
Effective firing range 36 km (22 mi)

Engine V10 diesel
268hp
Transmission ZF 56-65 Syncromesh
Suspension Kwêvoël 100 10-ton 6x6 truck
Operational
range
1,000 km (620 mi)
Maximum speed 90 km/h (56 mph) (road)

The Bateleur is a South African self-propelled multiple rocket launcher. It is a 127mm system with a wheeled launcher vehicle, disposable pods, and fire control equipment developed by Denel Land Systems.[2] Based on a mine protected Kwêvoël 100 10 ton 6x6 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 weapon can fire up to 40 127mm pre-fragmented high explosive warheads to ranges of 7.5km to 36km at sea level singly or using ripple fire, firing up to 1 rocket per second. Reload can take less than 10 minutes and in/out-of-action time is one and two minutes respectively. The system is supported by a Kwêvoël 100 ammunition truck carrying 96 rockets and crew who help with the reloading.[4] The system was previously called the Valkiri MkII as it was developed from the Valkiri MRLS which is itself based on the Soviet BM-21 Grad.

Variants[]

  • Bateleur FV2 (current version): 40 launch tubes mounted on an armoured Samil 100 6x6 truck.
  • Modified version to fire 122mm rockets

Operators[]

References[]

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The original article can be found at Bateleur FV2 and the edit history here.