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Ratel Infantry Combat Vehicle Series

Ratel 20 ICV

Series Specifications

Country of Origin/Used by:	South Africa (and many others included, but not limited to, Ghana, Jordan, Morocco, Rwanda & Senegal)
First Produced/Service Dates:	Mark 1 = 1976 Mark 2 = 1979 Mark 3 = 1985 SLEP* = 2022
Manufactured by:	BAE Land Systems (Formerly, Sandock-Austral)
Crew:	Depending on Variant
Armament:	Depending on Variant
Engine:	6 Cylinder Turbo-Diesel (Bussing D 3256 BTXF) SLEP= 6 Cylinder Turbo-Diesel (Cummins ISB6.7)
Miscellaneous Info:	The primary purpose of the Ratel Infantry Combat Vehicle (ICV) series was to produce an indigenous South African built Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV). The result was the main series variant, the Ratel 20 ICV.  All other series variants stem from this vehicle. "Ratel" means "Honey Badger" in Afrikaans. Approximately 1,381 vehicles were eventually built in a total of three (3) production configurations: Marks 1, 2 and 3.  Mark 1 vehicles were the first thirteen (13) vehicles produced.  Mark 2 vehicles were built starting in 1979 and incorporated improvements based on operational experiences in Namibia and Southern Angola.  Most of the changes were fairly minor and mainly consisted of improvements to the Ratel's performance in the "Bush".  Examples of the changes were more robust headlight covers, engine screening, etc.  Mark 3 vehicles started being produced in 1985 and also consisted of mostly minor changes.  However, there were a substantial number of improvements made (approximately 135).  Examples include, an upgraded cooling system, additional fuel filters, 20mm cannon auto-cocking system, digital acceleration meter and even more "bush breaking" improvements.  It is difficult to identify which vehicles were built in specific production "batches" as modifications were generally retrofitted to vehicles when possible. The main variants of the Ratel series are listed below.  However, there were other vehicles built in limited numbers, but not considered official variants. Instead, they're better referred to as "conversions" of existing vehicles (mainly the Ratel 20) to fulfill limited, but important roles. These were the Ambulance, Anti-Aircraft ("Tupperware") Radar Carrier, Anti-Mine Plough Vehicle & Repair/Recovery Vehicle.  As the Ratel design aged, two (2) companies initially attempted to rectify the main deficiencies with a "new" Ratel Series.  Mechanology (Pty) Ltd built the Ratel Mark 4 and Land Systems OMC (later Denel) built the IKlwa Multi-Role Armored Vehicle.  The Mark 4 had very few changes, which were primarily moving the engine to the middle, left side of the vehicle and the addition of large rear hydraulically operated door.  The IKlwa project was more ambitious.  Besides the same changes made on the Mark IV, it also had upgraded protection, larger wheels and an uprated Cummins engine.  Neither projects went very far as the South African military did not acquire either. The Ratel ICV series is slated to be replaced by the Badger ICV series in approximately 2024, although difficulties have plagued the Badger project.  However, OTT Solutions (PTY) Ltd. has recently initiated a Ratel Service Life Extension Programme (SLEP)* that is targeted to upgrade the existing fleet of Ratels that are in service with South Africa, and other countries. The upgrades are substantial and cover the entire vehicle, sans hull. The SLEP is designed to vastly improve the mobility, protection and firepower of the entire ICV series by replacing the vehicles' original systems with modern alternatives, possibly extending their service by 30 years or more.  Although there are innumerable changes, the most important are to the engine, transmission and sighting systems. The new engine is a Cummins ISB6.7 360 hp Turbo-Diesel and the transmission, an Allison SP 3000 6-speed automatic gearbox.  The upgraded commander and gunner sighting systems (developed by Vision 24 Technologies) includes a day-camera, thermal imager and laser rangefinder.  Added benefits to the new, lighter automotive components, are the vehicles' range was increased, fuel-consumption improved and most significantly, the armor protection was able to be increased as well. The first Ratel 20 ICV SLEP prototype was demonstrated to the Army in mid-2023. OTT's SLEP improvements are flexible, as they can be accommodated to a customer's specifications; including the possibility of mounting a 30mm Cannon.  Although presently the Ratel 20 ICV is the only upgraded variant so far, there are plans by OTT to upgrade other vehicles, most notably the Ratel 90 FSV.
Data Sheet Available:	Ratel SLEP Vehicle Sales Brochure via OTT Solutions (Pty) Ltd.

Ratel Variants (Vehicles with Hyperlinks available at WarWheels.net)

Photos

Reference	Source/Provider
Ratel SS Prototype with Soft Steel Plate Armor	South African Ditsong National Museum of Military History via Stephen Tegner
Ratel 20 ICV SLEP Photos	OTT Solutions (PTY) Ltd.
Ratel ICV Series Engine Technical Manual Line Drawings	Stephen Tegner
Ratel ICV Series Engine Photos	Chris Baxter - Owner of BaxMod
Ratel Mark IV Prototype/Demonstrator Vehicle Photos	Stephen Tegner

References Available

Online

Printed

Hobby Modeling

For a Full List of Model Kits and Accessories related to the Ratel, you can check out Scalemates.

Model Photos