Bateleur FV2

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 7.5 km to 36 km 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
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 Synchromesh
Suspension	Kwêvoël 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

• 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
• 

Operators

•  South Africa - South African National Defence Force: 25^[5]