The South African protection firm OTT Group has accomplished the primary instance of the Ratel 6×6 Infantry Preventing Car (IFV) Service Life Extension Programme (SLEP). The Ratel 6×6 IFV SLEP mission was born from necessity, as challenges at Denel and ongoing monetary pressures skilled by the South African Nationwide Defence Drive (SANDF) imply that South Africa can now not count on Challenge Hoefyster to materialize, a minimum of anytime quickly. The delays with Hoefyster doubtlessly leaves a niche within the operational readiness of the SANDF’s two remaining mechanised battalions, tasked with sustaining South Africa’s standard capabilities.
The OTT Group of firms subsequently took the initiative to develop the Ratel Service Life Extension Plan, which is internally funded, and engineered by OTT Group member ADGM. An absolute naked minimal’s requirement, and most worth for cash strategy was adopted to handle the obsolesce and provide chain elements – however nonetheless allow a big leap in modernizing the present firepower supply shortfall. Clearly, the SLEP programme is just not a first-choice strategy to modernisation of SANDF capabilities, however a strong grip on South Africa’s present actuality and fairly probably the one viable resolution left for sustaining any type of fight readiness
Commercial
Major focus was on the engine and transmission, which shifts to a business off the shelf 360 hp engine coupled to a six-speed computerized gearbox. A brand new single velocity switch case completes the driveline upgrades, that are protected by a brand new cooling system. For a better stage of crew survivability and ballistic safety, the IFV has been fitted with an applique passive armour package deal to the hull and turret. The unique Ratel solely had day sights for the commander and gunner however the upgraded IFV encompasses a roof-mounted stabilised day/evening sight for the commander. This allows the two-man (gunner/commander) crew to have the potential to interact targets.
The Ratel is a South African infantry combating car. It was the primary wheeled infantry combating car to enter service worldwide and was constructed on a modified MAN truck chassis. The Ratel was designed in response to a South African Military specification for a lightweight armoured car suited to the calls for of speedy offensives, offering most firepower and strategic mobility to mechanised infantry models supposed to function throughout the huge distances of Southern Africa. Primarily envisaged in SADF doctrine as a car for that might ship mechanised infantry and supporting fireplace to tanks in standard warfare.
