The Ratel 90 is a South African wheeled infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) variant, designed primarily for fire support with a low-velocity 90 mm gun. It was a key asset in the South African Border War, known for its high mobility and long operational range.
Key Features and Specifications
The Ratel 90 is a 6×6 vehicle that balances mobility, protection, and firepower, developed by Sandock-Austral to meet the specific requirements of the South African Defence Force.
- Main Armament: The primary weapon is a Denel GT-2 90 mm cannon, a licensed copy of the French GIAT F1 gun, effective against light armored vehicles and strong points. It is not stabilized and generally requires the vehicle to be stationary to fire accurately.
- Secondary Armament: It features a co-axial 7.62 mm machine gun, an anti-aircraft 7.62 mm machine gun on the roof, and two banks of 81 mm smoke grenade launchers.
- Mobility: Powered by a Büssing D 3256 BTXF six-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine, it can reach speeds of up to 105 km/h on roads. Its wheeled design (with run-flat tires) provides excellent off-road mobility in African conditions.
- Protection: The all-welded steel armor provides protection against 7.62 mm small arms fire and shell splinters, with frontal arc protection against 12.7 mm armor-piercing rounds. The hull design emphasizes protection against mines.
- Crew and Capacity: It typically has a crew of three (commander, gunner, driver) and can carry an additional six infantry soldiers, though this number may be reduced to accommodate more ammunition for the main gun.
Operational History
The Ratel 90 saw extensive use during the South African Border War, where its speed and maneuverability were crucial. While its 90 mm gun was effective against early enemy armor like the T-34/85, it struggled against later Soviet-supplied T-55 and T-62 tanks, often requiring multiple point-blank shots to vulnerable areas. These experiences led to the development of other anti-tank solutions, such as the Ratel ZT3 anti-tank guided missile variant.