Rooivalk attack helicopters perform well in first combat action against M23.

Yesterday, at approximately 17h00 Congolese time, two South African Air Force Rooivalk helicopters attached to the UN’s Force Intervention Brigade flew the craft’s first ever combat mission. The helicopters fired multiple 70mm rocket salvos against M23 bunkers near Chanzu in what is a mountainous region close to the Rwandan border.

Early reports from sources in the area indicate that the action was successful, with the Rooivalks’ tactical approach through the clouds taking the M23 defenders by surprise and their rocket fire being accurate enough to disperse them and destroy one of the 14.5 mm anti-aircraft guns that had been previously used to fire at the Rooivalks and other helicopters.

This is the first time Rooivalk helicopters have engaged in combat since the prototype’s first flight 23 years ago.

http://www.africandefence.net/after-23-years-rooivalks-fire-first-shots-in-drc/

http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32541:rooivalk-finally-fires-in-anger&catid=35:Aerospace&Itemid=107