XIV

Bateleur
Type	Multiple rocket launcher
Place of origin	South Africa
Service history
In service	1979–present
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 Synchromesh
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. 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." The weapon can fire up——to 40 127mm pre-fragmented high explosive warheads to ranges of 7.5km to 36km at sea level singly/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.

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

• 
  Bateleur 40 tube Multiple Rocket Launcher on SAMIL 100 armoured four door cab truck
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Operators※

•  South Africa - South African National Defence Force: 25

References※