New rocket artillery system for Brazil

FORMOSA, Brazil, June 10 (UPI) -- The Brazilian Army reports it has inducted into service the first batch of ASTROS 2020 multiple rocket launcher vehicles manufactured by Avibras.

The ASTROS 2020 is a long-range self-propelled weapons system with the ability to fire 190 rockets in 16 seconds.

The first batch consisted of nine system vehicles -- six standard multiple launchers; one recovery vehicle, one command-and-control firing station, and one meteorological station.

A total of 50 ASTROS 2020 multiple rocket launcher vehicles will be delivered to the army by 2018. Brazil also plans to export the system to the Middle East and Southeast Asia, the army said.

The original ASTROS system first entered into service in the 1980s.

The induction into service was conducted at Formosa, which is about 43 miles from the national capital, Brasilia. Defense Minister Celso Amorim was in attendance.