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]

Bateleur
TypeMultiple rocket launcher
Place of originSouth Africa
Service history
In service1979–present[1]
Used bySouth African National Defence Force
Production history
DesignerDenel, Somchem
Specifications
Mass9,500 kg (20,944 lbs)
Length8.53 m (28 ft 0 in)
Width2.425 m (7 ft 11.5 in)
Height3.125 m (10 ft 3.0 in)
Crew5

CartridgeHE-Fragmentation: 2.68 m (8 ft 10 in)
Caliber127 mm (5 in)
Barrels40
Rate of fire1 per sec
Effective firing range36 km (22 mi)

EngineV10 diesel
268hp
TransmissionZF 56-65 Synchromesh
SuspensionKwêvoël 100 10-ton 6x6 truck
Operational
range
1,000 km (620 mi)
Maximum speed 90 km/h (56 mph) (road)

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

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

Operators

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References

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  1. ^ "Denel FV2 Bateleur Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS)". defenceweb.co.za. 27 January 2011. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  2. ^ "Denel FV2 Bateleur Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS)". 27 January 2011.
  3. ^ ARG. "Bateleur Multiple Launch Rocket System | Military-Today.com". www.military-today.com. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
  4. ^ "Denel FV2 Bateleur Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS)". 27 January 2011.
  5. ^ Leon Engelbrecht (27 January 2011). "Denel FV2 Bateleur Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS)". Retrieved 5 November 2014.