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Ratel 90

Fire Support Vehicle

Variant Specifications*

First Produced/Service Dates:	1979
Manufactured by:	Gun: GIAT Industries Group and LIW Division of Denel Land Systems
Crew:	4+6
Armament:	Main: 90mm Cannon (DEFA Mark 1 QF & GT-2): Co-Axial: 7.62mm M1919 Browning Machine Gun (BMG); Turret (Commander's Station): 7.62mm BMG; Anti-Aircraft (Right Rear): 7.62mm BMG
Miscellaneous Info:	The primary purpose of the Ratel Infantry Combat Vehicle (ICV) series was to produce an indigenous South African built Infantry Fighting Vehicle. The result was the main series variant, the Ratel 20 ICV.  All other series variants stem from this vehicle, including the Ratel 90 Fire Support/Anti-Tank Vehicle (FSV). 184 were built over its lifetime in the Mark 1, 2 & 3 configurations. 30 of those vehicles were sold to Morocco. From early on, there had been thoughts/plans of fielding an anti-tank Ratel variant.  However, progress was delayed a number of times for various reasons.  That is, until South African combat experience in May 1978 (Operation Reindeer) demonstrated the urgent need for a fire support vehicle/tank killer that could operate closely with the new Ratel 20 ICV.  Up to that point, doctrine had deemed that the Eland 90 Armored Car would provide that capability.  But in practice, the Eland had trouble keeping up with the Ratel.  As a result, the creation of an anti-tank variant was resurrected once again, and the Ratel 90 was born. Once a decision was made to create the new variant, fielding them took only about a year from start to finish.  To create the FSV, Eland turrets were used and placed on slightly modified Ratel 20 ICV hulls.  Besides the obvious changes needed to the base Ratel 20 hull (i.e. strengthened roof and turret ring, added ammunition stowage capability by reducing rear seating, etc.), the most apparent external difference was the removal of two (2) roof hatches. *For specifications common to all variants in this series of vehicles, go to our Warwheels.net Ratel Index.
Data Sheet Available:	None Available

Photos

Reference	Source/Provider
Ratel 90 Fire Support Vehicle Photo	Bob Adams via Wikimedia Commons
Ratel 90 Fire Support Vehicle Photo	Army Recognition via Wikimedia Commons
Ratel 90 Fire Support Vehicle Photos	Chris Baxter - Owner of BaxMod
Ratel 90 Fire Support Vehicle with Ratel 81 Mortar Carrier Photo	Chris Baxter
Ratel 90 Fire Support Vehicle Photo	"Katangais" via Wikimedia Commons
Ratel 90 FSV Photos	South African National Defence Force
Ratel 90 Fire Support Vehicle Photos	Marius van Aardt - South Africa

References Available

Online

Model Photos

For information common to all variants in this series of vehicles, go to our

WarWheels.Net Ratel Index