Ratel

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Ratel-20
South African Ratel 90

South African Ratel 90
General properties
crew 4 (commander, driver, gunner, loader) + 7 infantrymen
length 7.21 m
width 2.52 m
height 2.92 m
Dimensions 19 t
Armor and armament
Armor 20 mm
Main armament 20 mm cannon (Ratel-20)
60 mm mortar (Ratel-60)
90 mm cannon (Ratel-90)
Secondary armament 2 x 7.62 mm MG
agility
drive 6-cylinder diesel engine BTFX
210 kW (282 PS)
Top speed 105 km / h
Power / weight
Range 1000 km

The Ratel is a wheel protect armor from South African production.

description

The first prototype of the Ratel-20 appeared in 1976. The development of the armored car was the direct result of the expected embargo against South Africa. At first they wanted to purchase the British armored personnel carrier Saracen , but Great Britain refused to deliver because of the UN sanctions for apartheid in South Africa.

The Ratel-20 was designed to serve in the special African arena. It is very agile, fast, well armored, has a strong firepower and has a long range. This range is necessary in the fight against guerrilla troops in the vast areas of Africa. The standard version has a 20 mm automatic cannon as a weapon.

The vehicle was used in the battles against SWAPO in Namibia and in the war against Angola . Currently, the more than 1000 vehicles produced are gradually being replaced by the Finnish Patria AMV, which is produced under license by Denel .

The vehicle was exported to Morocco and Jordan .

Other versions

  • Ratel-60: Same chassis, instead of a 20 mm cannon, a 60 mm mortar.
  • Ratel-90: Modified turret for the installation of a heavy 90 mm cannon.
  • Ratel-81: Installation of an 81 mm mortar in the crew room (no tower)
  • Ratel-Command: command vehicle with a crew of nine and a turret with 12.7 mm machine-gun
  • Ratel-ZT 3: Tower with three Ingwe anti-tank missiles

Web links

Commons : Ratel  - collection of images

literature

  • Philip Trewhitt: tanks. The most important combat vehicles in the world from World War I to the present day . Neuer Kaiserverlag, Klagenfurt 2005, ISBN 3-7043-3197-X , ( Worth knowing - Technology ).