The Ratel, a 6x6 South African IFV, entered production in 1977. It is the basic IFV of the South African Mechanized Infantry battalions. Ratel 90 however had a crew of 5+7 and the turret is identical to that of the Eland 90. Primary role: Anti-Tank support to the Mechanized Battalions.
The Ratel-90 fire support vehicle utilized an Eland turret with a cannon firing conventional high explosive and high explosive anti-tank shells with a turret armed with 90mm Denel GT-2 cannon is identical to that of the Eland 90.
Developed for the South African Army to circumvent the arms embargo of South Africa. It took into account the local conditions and requirements. The first wheeled IFV designed and put into military service. It is also the first IFV with a commander’s Cupola. Armour protection is given against small arms fire and the hull design offers protection in the event of a land mine detonation. The tyres are run-flat types. The doors open to the side, with hatches to the top and an access door at the rear of the vehicle.
The South African Army was using the 6x6 British Alvis Saracen APC for several years before the acquisition of spare parts become problematic due to the arms embargo, the South Africans decided to manufacture a new vehicle to satisfy their needs. After building the Eland, a modified version of the 4x4 Panhard AML armoured car, Sandock then undertook to design a replacement for the Saracen. The prototype was completed in 1976, and the first units rolled out the following year. Since then, over a thousand Ratel vehicles were manufactured.
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