South African Army orders 60 mm mortar from Rheinmetall
The South African Army has placed an order for conventional 60 mm and 60 mm long-range mortar ammunition, including High Explosives, Practice, Illumination and Smoke Burst Screening Smoke Mortar Cartridges from Rheinmetall Denel Munition (RDM).
RDM first announced the order in October this year, although it refrained from disclosing the customer. The mortar ammunition will be used by South African Army’s infantry troops, and will be used to sustain its current infantry capability and also support its training requirements,” RDM said.
“Since 2008, Rheinmetall Denel Munition has contributed significantly to improving South Africa’s military defence capabilities.”
The 60 mm mortar ammunition can be fired from lightweight commando-type mortars as well as from standard and long-range systems. The maximum effective range is close to 4 500 metres. However, when fired from a lightweight Special Forces mortar, these rounds attain a maximum range of over 2 000 metres. It is compatible with all standard weapon systems in this calibre.
“Rheinmetall’s new 60 mm mortar has been specifically developed for infantry and Special Forces. Its innovative design and engineering characteristics provide significant weight saving and present a two-in-one solution. Owing to improvements in range, precision and lethality, the RDM Mortar Family (60 mm/81 mm/120mm mortars) enables troops deployed in counterinsurgency operations to engage targets successfully even in difficult terrain and built-up areas,” the company said in a statement.
