Soltam M-65
{{Infobox weapon
|name=Soltam M-65
| image= Mortar-120mm-beyt-hatotchan-1.jpg
| image_size = 300
|caption=M-65 Standard
|origin=Israel
|type=Mortar
|is_ranged=
|is_bladed=
|is_explosive=
|is_artillery=yes
|is_vehicle=
|is_UK=
|service=
|used_by=See Operators
|wars=Six-Day War
Yom Kippur War
Lebanese Civil War
1978 South Lebanon conflict
Nicaraguan Revolution
1982 Lebanon War
South Lebanon conflict (1985–2000)
South African Border War
Internal conflict in Myanmar
|designer=Tampella
|design_date=1953
|manufacturer=Soltam Systems
|production_date=
|number=
|variants=
|weight=231 kg (firing position), 351 kg (travelling)
|length=
|part_length=
|width=
|height=
|crew=6
|cartridge=Standard 120mm NATO mortar round
|caliber=120 mm
|action=
|rate=1st minute: 16 rounds burst, 4 rounds per minute sustained thereafter.
|velocity=
|range=
|max_range=6500m
|feed=
|sights=
|breech=
|recoil=
|carriage=M151 Jeep style carriage wheels
|elevation=+30°/+80°
|traverse=-20°/+20°
}}
The Soltam M-65 is a 120 mm mortar that was developed by Tampella in 1953 via introduction of new baseplate for 120 Krh/40 invented by Hans Otto Donner. In 1960s Soltam Systems of Israel bought a license. The mortar system comes in two versions, a standard mortar and a long-range version.{{Cite web |url=http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Infantry-Weapons/Soltam-K5-and-K6-120-mm-light-mortars-Israel.html |title=Soltam K5 and K6 120 mm light mortars (Israel), Mortars |publisher=Jane's |accessdate=12 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120925101923/http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Infantry-Weapons/Soltam-K5-and-K6-120-mm-light-mortars-Israel.html |archive-date=25 September 2012}}
Design
This heavy mortar is light enough to be transported by helicopter sling load, drop by parachute or carried in an APC such as the M113 Armored Personnel Carrier. It can also be towed as a normal artillery piece or even manhandled if necessary. The wheels on the carriage are the same as fitted to the M151 Jeep, and have handling rings to aid in manhandling it. All components are made of chrome-plated or stainless steel to resist wear and corrosion.
=Vehicle mounted version=
- M3 Mk. D - a M3 Half-track based 120 mm mortar carrier (used exclusively by Israel Defense Forces until replaced by the M1064 mortar carrier),
Operators
=Current operators=
- {{HND}}: Honduran Army{{cite web|url=http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php|title=SIPRI arms transfer database|date= 3 April 2014|publisher=Stockholm International Peace Research Institute|accessdate=3 April 2014|archive-date=14 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100414022558/http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php|url-status=live}}
- {{ISR}}: Israel Defense Forces (primary user)
- {{MYA}}: Myanmar Army
- {{flag|Nicaragua}}
- {{SIN}}: Singapore Army{{Cite web |last=Yeo |first=Mike |date=2017-03-16 |title=US State Department OKs mortar rounds sale to Singapore |url=https://www.defensenews.com/land/2017/03/16/us-state-department-oks-mortar-rounds-sale-to-singapore/ |access-date=2022-06-01 |website=Defense News |language=en}}
- {{RSA}}: South African Army
- {{TUR}}: Turkish Land Forces 179 units{{Cite web|date=2012-11-07|title=Turkey Turkish army land ground armed defense forces military equipment armored vehicle intelligence - Army Recognition|url=http://www.armyrecognition.com/turkey_turkish_army_land_ground_forces_uk/turkey_turkish_army_land_ground_armed_defense_forces_military_equipment_armored_vehicle_intelligence.html|access-date=2021-05-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107182314/http://www.armyrecognition.com/turkey_turkish_army_land_ground_forces_uk/turkey_turkish_army_land_ground_armed_defense_forces_military_equipment_armored_vehicle_intelligence.html|archive-date=7 November 2012}}
- {{USA}}: United States Army
=Former operators=
- Lebanese Forces
- South Lebanon Army
- {{flag|Nicaragua}}: National Guard of Nicaragua
See also
- Mortier 120mm Rayé Tracté Modèle F1
- Soltam K6 (US Army designation M120)
- Soltam M-66
- List of weapons of the Lebanese Civil War
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20081023232321/http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapons/artillery/mortars/soltam_120mm_m-65/Mortar_120mm_M-65.html Israeli-weapons.com]
- [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/singapore/sg_appen.html Singapore Artillery Pieces]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20120207214128/http://www.balagan.org.uk/war/ai/weapons.htm Weapons of the Arab-Israeli Wars]
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}