Chile decided to convert some of the existing Leopard 1V main battle tanks into multiple rocket launchers.
Currently, a technology demonstrator has been created, which is a tracked combat vehicle, from the turret of which the 105-mm rifled L7A3 cannon was removed. Two packages of twenty guides for launching 70-mm unguided missiles were reportedly installed on it.
Apparently, special ammunition is used, previously used in aviation on airplanes and helicopters and designed for strikes on ground targets, equipped with various combat units (high-explosive, cluster, incendiary, smoke, etc.) with a maximum flight range of 10,000 meters.
During the preliminary tests, several single launches were made, a short salvo of four missiles and a "queue" of fifteen shells.
It is assumed that after this option, another one will appear, which already has greater technological complexity with twenty 122-mm guides.
It is known that missiles of this caliber are used on versions of Soviet multiple launch rocket systems "Grad" produced in different countries.
For example, in China, the PHZ-89 "tank MLRS" has been adopted, which has a sufficiently powerful armor protection, good cross-country capability and a maximum firing range of up to 30,000 meters.
Alexey Brusilov
