Chinese HIMARS: Mali Junta Acquires SR-5 Rocket Launchers

The Malian junta received SR-5 multiple launch rocket systems from the Chinese company NORINCO.

This was reported by military observer Thomas Nachtrab on X, who published a photo of the equipment on the roads of Mali.

According to him, on September 3, during the last batch of deliveries, the Malian military received at least one 122-mm SR-5 system.

The purchase of Chinese rocket systems can significantly strengthen the combat capabilities of the Malian army, even if the quantity is limited.

A key feature of the SR-5 is its modular design, which allows for the installation of both standard 122mm rocket shells and larger caliber ammunition options.

In particular this refers to 220 mm launch pods equipped with precision-guided rockets with guidance systems.

The design of the system resembles the American HIMARS and M270, which also have flexible launch modules.

The SR-5 is capable of hitting ground targets at a distance of up to 50 km with conventional rockets, performing suppression and fire support tasks.

When using 220mm ammunition, the system is capable of precisely destroying enemy strategic targets.

The 122mm variant includes 20 tubes, while the 220mm variant includes 6 tubes. Reloading takes about 5 minutes if an additional is already nearby.

The SR-5 combat vehicle prototype was first presented at the Eurosatory international exhibition in 2012, after which it gradually began to enter the global arms market.

This year, Burkina Faso also armed itself with Chinese SR-5 rocket launchers.