Breaking News
70mm Rocket Launcher System in Vietnam an Innovation for Ground Support.
During the Vietnam Defence Expo 2024 in Hanoi, the company 13 Mechanics and Chemicals, specializing in defense solutions, unveiled its new 70mm rocket launcher system. This system is designed to provide precise, powerful, and effective fire support in ground operations, the destruction of equipment and fortifications, and the neutralization of enemy infantry. Mounted on a lightweight vehicle, it integrates modern technologies into mobile platforms tailored to the demands of contemporary battlefields.
The rockets, measuring 950 to 975 mm in length and weighing around 10 kg with 4 to 4.5 kg fragmentation warheads, utilize proximity or impact fuses to achieve a range of 5 to 7 kilometers (Picture source: Army Recognition)
The system features a compact and efficient design. It includes forty launch tubes, each 1000 mm long, capable of firing 70mm rockets with remarkable speed. The system allows single shots, short bursts, or continuous firing, with the ability to launch all 40 rockets within just 20 seconds. The launcher’s total dimensions are 1200 mm by 1200 mm, and it uses a smoothbore barrel to enhance firing precision. The overall weight of the system, when empty, is under 600 kg, ensuring the mobility of the vehicle it is mounted on.
The system’s elevation angle ranges from 0° to 45°, with a maximum elevation rotation speed of 2° per second. It can also pivot 360°, with a rotation speed of up to 10° per second, offering high flexibility to adapt to different environments and targets. From a logistical perspective, the system can be deployed operationally in just 3 minutes, and reloading the 40 rockets takes between 4 to 6 minutes. The minimum crew required includes a commander and a launcher operator, with observation and control managed from a console inside the vehicle cabin.
The rockets used in this system possess notable technical characteristics. They measure between 950 mm and 975 mm in length, weighing approximately 10 kg, with warheads weighing between 4 and 4.5 kg. Equipped with explosive fragmentation warheads, they use proximity or impact fuses, allowing them to achieve a range of 5 to 7 kilometers. These specifications demonstrate the system’s ability to meet military operational needs in varied tactical scenarios.
The 70mm rocket launcher developed by Vietnam stands out from its international counterparts due to its compact design and enhanced mobility (Picture source: Army Recognition)
The 70mm rocket launcher developed by Vietnam stands out from its international counterparts due to its compact design and enhanced mobility. Unlike heavier systems like the Czech RM-70, which uses 122mm rockets and requires an 8x8 truck chassis, the Vietnamese system is mounted on a lightweight vehicle, facilitating rapid deployment and adaptability to diverse terrains. This configuration also reduces operational costs and simplifies maintenance while maintaining effective area saturation capability through its 40 launch tubes.
For the Vietnamese armed forces, this system offers significant strategic advantages. Its range of 5 to 7 km suits local tactical requirements, enabling effective ground support operations without complex logistics. Additionally, the system’s rapid deployment and reloading enhance the military’s responsiveness, a critical factor in asymmetric combat scenarios or challenging terrain. By incorporating this rocket launcher, the Vietnamese army bolsters its capacity to conduct area saturation missions with greater flexibility, optimizing resource utilization.
The presentation of this rocket launcher at the Vietnam Defence Expo 2024 underscores 13 Mechanics and Chemicals’ ambition to establish itself as a key player in the market for modern defense systems. The company emphasizes a technology that is accessible, adaptable, and capable of meeting the needs of both national armies and international markets. With systems like this, the proliferation of vehicles equipped with similar technologies may increase, addressing growing demands for mobility and firepower on modern battlefields.