Valkiri

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.

• Name — Valkiri • 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)

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.

• Valkiri-22 Mk 1 (original version): 24 launch tubes mounted on a Unimog light 4x4 truck. • Bateleur (current version): 40 launch tubes mounted on an armoured Samil 100 6x6 truck. • Valkiri-5 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.

• - South African National Defence Force: 76 in reserve.