SAF Mortar Types

Sepecat SG

Can someone tell me if SAF still uses 60 mm and 81 mm mortars in the infantry battalions including PDF units ?

Fatum SG

as far as I know ....

the 81 is used only by one formation in the SAF ... the hendon boys ...

the 60 ? ... haven't seen or heard of it ...

someone verify this ...

Sepecat SG

If true, it is strange that SAF does not use 60 and 81 mm mortars since these weapons seem to be very effective & useful in the fighting in Iraq & in other conflicts in recent history & in during the World Wars.

US Infantry battalions have a generous inventory of these weapons in their TOE.

Manhandled mortars have proved their worth is almost all major combat so far. Wonder if this is equipment shortfall in SAF shud be addressed.

Fatum SG

dude .... the 81s are man-packed in the SAF .... yes, that's right, some poor fuckers in the mortar platoon hump the tubes on their backs ...

and the 120 are certainly man-handled in the infantry battalions ...

what are you talking about ? ...

fudgester SG

Well, the mortar platoon in each battalion will tow a few 120mm pieces into battle.... a sort of a small-scale artillery to be used at the CO's disposal, if you will.

81mm is the NATO standard, I believe.... I remember reading that the Soviets created the 82mm mortar in response to the NATO 81mm. The theory goes that the Soviets would be able to use captured NATO mortar shells (albeit to a low degree of accuracy), whereas the NATO troops wouldn't be able to make use of captured Soviet mortar shells.

60mm? I don't think that has ever been used in the SAF.

justcooler SG

Heard during my NS days the M203 had similar effectiveness as the 60, as 60 was out of the SAF

As for the 81, we already had the 120 so what is the need for 81? so it was also out of the armed forces

One must understand that, no point having a weapon system if u cannot support. I will be interested to see when the super rapid 120 is coming into the infantry and guards battalions

LazerLordz SG

Ooh, the 60mm mortar..tucked away and mothballed. It's really old, mind you..

edwin3060 SG

Of course, after the British converted from their 57mm mortar to the 40mm GL, they started complaining about the lack of firepower of the GL. I think it is a trade off between mobility, rate of fire and firepower and range-- the 40mm GL is lighter and can fire more often (I think) while the 57 or 60mm mortar packs a bigger punch and has a longer range.

Dajal.suci SG

we used to have 160mm heavy mortar (Soltam?), used for a few years sometime around the mid 80's, then stop using it later....any reason why?

purpledragon84 SG

we have both 81mm n 120mm.. got HE, WP and incendiary..

Sepecat SG

Depending too much on 120 Super Rapid is placing too many egss in a basket dont you think.

What happens when you need to fire the mortar dismounted ? You cannt dismount a 120 SR right ?

edwin3060 SG

Uh.. I don't get you sepecat-- the whole point of the SRAMS is so that the mortar system has more mobility. Why would you want to dismount the mortar in that case?

arball SG

i think its best to have something man portable lar, cos depending too much on 120SR might be a bit risky... if it gets taken out, ...there goes our firepower.........we should have something like a backup system.

edwin3060 SG

yar--- except when u're the guy who has to carry the bloody baseplate! Given the drop in manpower, and the general physical fitness of the population, I don't think that it is feasible to have man portable mortars anymore-- especially not at the platoon level, which is what the British used to do. Remember that your extra mortar group means that you got less men for fire and maneuvre, room clearing, etc and your platoon as a whole is less mobile-- which seems to be the keyword in today's military. We'll just have to make do with M203/Matador--- unless someone develops a titanium mortar or something ;)

Short Ninja SG

Can someone tell me if SAF still uses 60 mm and 81 mm mortars in the infantry battalions including PDF units ?

60mm phased out in the early 80s

purpledragon84 SG

60mm phased out in the early 80s

yeah i dun really rmb seeing one in the dump..

Short Ninja SG

yeah i dun really rmb seeing one in the dump

The 60mm mortar team was disbanded in 1981 and the mortars were probably sold to a third world country by the end of 80s.

purpledragon84 SG

The 60mm mortar team was disbanded in 1981 and the mortars were probably sold to a third world country by the end of 80s.

icic.. who dare to use sia.. after us.. after the conditions of storage.. lol..

Short Ninja SG

They were in good condition and all covered in thick grease as I remembered .SAF sure knows how to get rid of stuffs you can bet on that.

Sepecat SG

Reality is that man handled 81s and even 60s are necessary as not all situations one can use 120 SR. Also, as arball pointed out , depending solely on the arty battalion has its risks. Having your own mortars in an infantry battalion gives you very much more responsive fire support when the " sh.." hits the fan.

Thats why in US Army Stryker Brigades the mortar carriers carry 60s and I think also 81s for dismounted use.