| Bateleur | |
| Origin: | South Africa |
| Type: | Multiple rocket launcher |
| Is Ranged: | yes |
| Is Explosive: | yes |
| Is Vehicle: | yes |
| Service: | 1979–present[1] |
| Used By: | South African National Defence Force |
| Designer: | Denel, Somchem |
| Weight: | 9,500 kg (20,944 lbs) |
| Length: | 8.53m (27.99feet) |
| Width: | 2.425m (07.956feet) |
| Height: | 3.125m (10.253feet) |
| Crew: | 5 |
| Cartridge: | HE-Fragmentation: 2.68m (08.79feet) |
| Caliber: | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Barrels: | 40 |
| Rate: | 1 per sec |
| Range: | 36 km (22 mi) |
| Engine: | V10 diesel |
| Engine Power: | 268hp |
| Transmission: | ZF 56-65 Synchromesh |
| Suspension: | Kwêvoël 100 10-ton 6x6 truck |
| Vehicle Range: | 1000km (1,000miles) |
| Speed: | 90km/h (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.[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]
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.