Valkiri

Valkiri
Type - Multiple rocket launcher
Place of origin - South Africa
Service history
In service - 1972-present
Used by - South African National Defence Force
Wars - South African Border War / Angolan Civil War
Production history
Designer - Armscor, Somchem
Variants - Bateleur (40 launch tubes)
Specifications
Mass - 6,400 kg (14,080 lbs)
Length - 5.35 m (17 ft 7 in)
Width - 2.3 m (7 ft 7 in)
Height - 2.32 m (7 ft 7 in)
Crew - 2
Caliber - 127 mm (5 in)
Barrels - 24
Effective firing range - 36 km (22 mi)
Engine - diesel
Suspension - Mercedes Benz Unimog 4×4 truck
Operational range - 400 km (250 mi)
Maximum speed - 90 km/h (56 mph) (road)

The Valkiri is a South African self-propelled multiple rocket launcher. It is a 127 mm system with a wheeled launcher vehicle, and fire control equipment developed by Armscor. Contemporary models consist of a single launch module with five eight-cell rocket pods on a Unimog or SAMIL-100 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 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.
Variants
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.
Operators
 South Africa - South African National Defence Force: 76 in reserve.