Denel Land Systems - Self-Propelled & Towed Gun Howitzers, Modular Combat Vehicles and Mortars

Denel Land Systems, a division of Denel Pty Ltd, manufactures fighting vehicles and artillery pieces for the defence sector. Its wide range of products, including self-propelled and towed gun howitzers, modular combat vehicles and mortars, are used by the South African Army as well as other international defence forces.

G6 self-propelled howitzer

The G6 is a 155mm long-range gun developed and produced by Denel Land Systems, mounted on a chassis made by BAE Systems Land Systems OMC. The G6 is in service with the South African Army and has also been exported to the United Arab Emirates and Oman.

The G6 155mm self-propelled howitzer is a highly autonomous system with 700km vehicle fuel range, 50km weapon range using velocity enhanced long-range projectiles, and the ability to fire the first round within 60 seconds of the vehicle stopping.

The 155mm main gun is equipped with a 45 calibre auto-frettaged barrel, a semi-automatic screw breech and an electrical trigger mechanism. The gun is fitted with a single baffle open muzzle brake and a reinforced epoxy resin fume extractor.

The howitzer has on-board storage for 45 projectiles and 50 charges. Semi-automatic projectile loading is carried out using an electronically controlled hydraulic flick-rammer. Two loading chutes are installed at the rear of the gun for direct loading from a ground ammunition pile. Firing ports are provided for the crew's personal weapons and a machine-gun mounting is fitted on the left turret cupola with an optional machine-gun. The gun is compatible with all NATO 155mm ammunition.

105mm light experimental ordinance

The development of the lightweight experimental ordnance (LEO) started in 1995 when the South African Army challenged Denel Land Systems’ artillery design team to develop technology for a lightweight gun with a light logistic load that will equal or better the range and terminal effect of current 39 caliber 155mm light guns.

The design teams of both the gun and ammunition divisions of Denel immediately took up the challenge and embarked upon a coordinated design effort to try and achieve the 'impossible'. After several interim evaluations, at the first concept firing demonstration on the Alkantpan shooting range in 2000, it was proven beyond any doubt that these design goals were in fact achievable. Since its first announcement at the African Aerospace and Defence Show in 2000, Pretoria, South Africa, and subsequent displays at the International Weapon Exhibitions in Abu Dhabi and London, the Denel Land Systems' 105mm light experimental ordnance (LEO) has received unprecedented interest from defence forces and experts worldwide, even from the US.

This unique concept of a 'lightweight' 105mm artillery piece that can compare with and even outgun some of its existing 155mm counterparts in the world today, has set the cat amongst the pigeons in artillery establishments the world over.

Modular combat vehicle

The modular combat vehicle (MCV) is a Denel Land Systems development of a family of new generation vehicles destined to replace the South African Army's ageing fleet of Ratel infantry fighting vehicles.

Denel Land Systems'MCV is the culmination of the integration of Denel Land Systems' family of advanced and state-of-the-art modular combat turrets, sporting Denel Land Systems' GI-30, 30mm CamGun and M10, 60mm breech-loading long-range mortar, Denel Dynamic's Ingwe anti-tank missiles, mounted on the Patria AMV 8x8 modular armoured vehicle.

The SA Army's MCV will be christened the Badger and will come in five combat variants, namely section variant, fire support variant, mortar variant, missile variant and the command variant.

60mm long-range mortar system with fire control

A 60mm long-range mortar system is developed by Denel Land Systems for the South African Army. Utilising Denel Land Systems' renowned 60 long-range mortar with Rheinmetall Denel Munition bombs, the system has a maximum range of 6,000m.

The system allows for indirect fire support, utilising a forward observation post with binoculars equipped with laser range finder, digital compass, GPS and digital radio communication to provide firing solutions for the weapon system.

The 60mm long-range mortar product system provides the motorised and parachute infantry with an integrated accurate and supportable indirect fire support capability. This system entails the 60mm long-range mortar (including H-019 sight), ammunition, fire control (observation and fire directing), training simulator subsystem and products with their associated logistic support. The system is a complete integrated indirect fire support system which has two system configurations, the armoured personnel carrier mortar and the ground role IFS-PS.

This indirect fire directing system can also be integrated with the Denel Land Systems 81mm long range mortar as well as other existing mortars.