# South African Army orders 60 mm mortar from Rheinmetall

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2020/11/south-african-army-orders-60-mm-mortar-from-rheinmetall/
- Published: 2020-11-10T01:34:41+01:00
- Author: Sarah Lesedi

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](https://www.military.africa/2020/11/south-african-army-orders-60-mm-mortar-from-rheinmetall/military.africa/2020/10/rheinmetall-denel-munition-nets-60-mm-mortar-contract-with-mysterious-customer),
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.

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“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.

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