RG-31 Nyala

RG-31 Mk3A
RG-31 Charger
Type	Armored fighting vehicle, MRAP
Place of origin	South Africa
Production history
Designer	BAE Systems Land Systems OMC
Specifications
Weight	7.28 t
Length	6.40 m (21 ft)
Width	2.47 m (8.1 ft)
Height	2.63 m (8.63 ft)
Crew	2+6
Main armament	weapons mount
Engine	Option 1: Daimler-Benz OM 352A, 6-cylinder diesel, 123 hp Option 2: Iveco Tector F4AE0681D diesel Option 3: Detroit Diesel Option 4: Cummins 6.7L QSB, 6-cylinder diesel, 275 hp
Suspension	4×4-wheeled
Operational range	900 km (559 mi)
Speed	100 km/h (62 mph)

The RG-31 Nyala is a 4×4 multi-purpose mine-protected armoured personnel carrier (APC) manufactured in South Africa by Land Systems OMC, a division of BAE Systems. It is based on the Mamba APC of TFM Industries. The RG-31 is built from a V-shaped all-steel welded armor monocoque hull and high suspension, typical of South African mine protected vehicles, providing excellent small-arms and mine blast protection. The vehicle is designed to resist a blast equivalent to two TM-57 anti-tank mines detonating simultaneously. The RG-31 is classified by the United States Department of Defense as a category 1 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle.^{[citation needed]}

The vehicle accommodates a crew of 8 or 10, including the driver, depending on model. Dismounting is provided via a large rear door and two front doors.

The RG-31 has become the multi-purpose vehicle of choice of the UN and other peacekeeping and security forces. It is finding favour with non-governmental organisations requiring a vehicle with a non-aggressive appearance to protect their personnel against the threat of land mines.^{[citation needed]}

Production history

Variants

Variants come in either a Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) or utility vehicle (Cargo) configurations.

• RG-31 Mk3A - based on Mamba APC
• RG-31 Mk5
• RG-31 Mk5E - A extended Mk5 with larger passenger/cargo capacity and superior blast and ballistic protection.
• RG-31 Mk6E - Enhanced crew protection
• RG-31 Charger - US Army version of the Mk3 with a Detroit Diesel engine and Mk5 with a Cummins engine
• RG-31 Sabre - cargo version
• RG-31M - features a military wiring harness, central tire inflation and several other new characteristics. This vehicle has a crew of 5.

Operators

RG-31 Nyala damaged by a mine

RG-31 blown in half by an IED.

• Canada/Canadian Forces – 75 RG-31 Mk3 with Protector M151 Remote Weapon Station
• Canada/London Police Service - Law Enforcement - Emergency Response Team
• Colombia – 4× RG-31 Nyala
• Spain – 100× RG-31 Mk5E Nyala with Samson remote Weapon Station (+ option for 80 more) already deployed in Lebanon and Afghanistan.
• Mali – 5× RG-31 Nyala
• Nigeria – 1× RG-31 Nyala
• Indonesia
• South Africa
• Rwanda – 6× RG-31 Nyala
• Swaziland – 70× RG-31 Nyala Mk5E and Sabre models, currently used by the Umbutfo Swaziland Defence Force (USDF).
• United Arab Emirates – 76× customized RG-31 Mk5
• United Nations – 30× RG-31 Nyala
• United States
  • US SOCOM
    • 50× Mk5A1S
  • US Army
    • 148× RG-31 Mk3 Charger,
    • 257× Mk5A1
    • 111× Mk5E
  • USMC
    • 12× Mk5A's (MRAP Cat I)
    • 1385× Mk5E's (MRAP Cat II)
  • Blackwater Security

Combat history

• Afghanistan – Canada, (including 5 leased to Netherlands) (ISAF), United States, and Spain
• Bosnia and Herzegovina – UNPROFOR
• Ethiopia / Eritrea – Canada
• Georgia –- UN
• Iraq – United States
• Colombian Armed Conflict
• Ivorian Civil War
• Ivory Coast – UNOCI
• Kosovo – KFOR
• Lebanon – UNIFIL
• Uganda - Uganda Peoples Defence Forces

See also

Other wheeled APCs and IFVs developed in South Africa

• Buffel
• Casspir
• Mamba APC
• Ratel IFV
• RCV-9
• RG-12
• RG-19
• RG-32
• RG-33
• RG-34
• RG-35

General

• Infantry fighting vehicle
• List of AFVs
• MRAP (armored vehicle)