A Look At South Africa’s Armoured Vehicles
• The “Rooikat”
The Rooikat – created by South African defence major Denel, is an armoured reconnaissance vehicle with a primary attack function and fire support role. While it has several variations, the original Rooikat 76 is most recognisable by its Denel GT4 76mm high-velocity gun for anti-tank and fire support.
Additionally, it can be armed with two MG4 machine guns and eight smoke grenade dischargers for evasion purposes. To keep it moving over rough terrain, the 8×8 wheeled 28t Rooikat is powered by a 563bhp, ten-cylinder diesel engine.
It is currently solely in use with the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), having been used in operations in the Lesotho intervention of 1998-9 and the Namibian War of Independence since it entered into service in 1989.
• The “Ratel”
The Ratel – an alternative word for the honey badger, is known as the first wheeled infantry fighting vehicle to enter military service worldwide. It is currently in use with 13 militaries across Africa and the Middle East. The SANDF had more than 500 Ratels in its in arsenal while the Jordanian Armed Forces own around 300 Ratels.
Armaments differ depending on the variant, but Ratels can be fitted with a turret, anti-tank guided missiles, anti-aircraft platforms, mortar systems and machine guns. The Ratel’s secondary weapons are its Browning M1919 machine guns at the front and rear.
It is powered by a six-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine and can travel over a distance of 1,000km at speeds of 105km/h.
• The RG-34
The RG-34 – is a South African mine-resistant ambush protected (MRAP) light armoured vehicle, which is part of BAE Systems South Africa’s RG series.
Its welded steel hull offers all-around protection against armour-piercing rounds from 30m away, air burst fragments, and anti-tank mines.
While many of its variants can be equipped with an armament such as a mounted turret or machine guns, the main weapon on the original RG-34 was replaced with a remote tactical turret or 90mm Gun Model anti-tank weapon.
• The Badger
Denel Land Systems’ Badger infantry combat vehicle is part of a new generation of South African armoured vehicles, which is designed to replace the ageing Ratel model within the SANDF.
The Badger is a South African-grown variant of Finland’s Patria Armoured Modular Vehicle. It is unique in that it is equipped with an underfloor armour package developed by Land Mobility Technologies, as well as Denel’s modular combat turret. Sub-variants offer fire support, mortar, and command and missile applications.
• The Husky 2G
The Husky 2G – is a two-seater variant of the Husky vehicle mounted mine detection range. Primarily a mine-detection vehicle, the Husky 2G benefits from the integration of enhanced sensors including ground-penetrating radar, video optics suites, and a remote weapon station – hence the need for the second crew member.
Around eight militaries currently use the Husky 2G including the Iraqi, Turkish and Spanish land forces, while the earlier version – the Husky Mk III – is in service with the US Army, US Marines, Canadian Army, Australian Army, and the SANDF.