The Egyptian army has relied in the main on copies if Soviet–produced multiple rocket launcher systems, reflecting the heavy Russian influence on the country in the 1950s and 1960s. However, since Egypt has moved closer to the West, a number of indigenous programmes have been initiated, in particular the SAKR-18 and SAKR-30 multiple rocket launchers, as well as a specialist system for laying down smoke screens. Based on the Walid 4 x 4 armoured personnel carrier, a full salvo of twelve 80mm D-3000 rockets, which are carried in a ready to launch position, (there is also a six round 122mm rocket version) is able to produce a smoke-screen 1,000m (3,280 ft) long, lasting for up to 15 minutes, sufficient to cover most activities on the battlefield. The same system can also be mounted on a T-62 tank.
Walid
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