RG-31 Nyala
RG-31 Mk3A | |
---|---|
RG-31 Charger | |
Type | Infantry Mobility Vehicle |
Place of origin | South Africa |
Production history | |
Designer | BAE Systems Land Systems OMC |
Specifications | |
Mass | 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 [1] |
Suspension | 4×4-wheeled |
Operational range | 900 km (559 mi) |
Maximum speed | 100 km/h (62 mph) |
The RG-31 Nyala is a 4×4 multi-purpose mine-resistant ambush protected infantry mobility vehicle manufactured in South Africa by Land Systems OMC, It is a division of Denel SOC LTD, located in Benoni, South Africa. and in Turkey by FNSS Defence Systems.[2] 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.[3] The vehicle is designed to resist a blast equivalent to two TM-57 anti-tank mines detonating simultaneously.[4] 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 land mines.[citation needed]
In July 2016, the Letterkenny Army Depot rolled out the latest variant of the RG31, with improvements including an engine upgrade from 275 to 300 hp, a transmission upgrade from 2,500 to a 3,000 series, independent suspension, 360-degree spotlights for night visibility, and an armored gunner's hatch. The depot is scheduled to produce 929 of these RG31s through 2020.[5]
Production history
Variants
Variants come in either an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) or utility vehicle (Cargo) configurations.[6]
- RG-31 Mk3A – based on Mamba APC
- RG-31 Mk5[7]
- 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.[3]
Operators
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e5/RG-31_operators.png/400px-RG-31_operators.png)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3e/Spanish_RG-31_Nyala_in_Afghanistan-2010.jpg/220px-Spanish_RG-31_Nyala_in_Afghanistan-2010.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/94/Iraqi_National_Police_armored_vehicles.jpg/220px-Iraqi_National_Police_armored_vehicles.jpg)
Current operators
Canada:
- Canadian Forces
- 75 RG-31 Mk3 with Protector (RWS) Remote Weapon Station
- London Police Service
- 1x RG-31 Mk3A, currently used by the Emergency Response Team
- Durham Regional Police Service
- 1x RG-31 Mk3A, Tactical Rescue Vehicle donated by General Dynamics to the Tactical Response Unit
- Canadian Forces
Colombia:
- National Army of Colombia
- 4× RG-31 Nyala
- National Army of Colombia
Spain: 150× RG-31 Mk5E Nyala with Samson remote Weapon Station (+ option for 30 more) already deployed in Lebanon and Afghanistan.
Mali: 5× RG-31 Nyala
Nigeria: 1× RG-31 Nyala
Indonesia
Iraq
South Africa
Rwanda: 6× RG-31 Nyala
Eswatini: 7× RG-31 Nyala Mk5E, currently used by the Umbutfo Swaziland Defence Force (USDF).[8]
United Arab Emirates: 76× customized RG-31 Mk5
United Nations: 30× RG-31 Nyala
United States:
Combat history
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/30/RG-31_damaged_by_a_mine.jpg/220px-RG-31_damaged_by_a_mine.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b0/RG31IED.jpg/220px-RG31IED.jpg)
- Afghanistan – Canada, (including 5 leased to Netherlands) (ISAF), United States, and Spain[14]
- 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 People's Defence Forces
- Yemen - United Arab Emirates as part of the Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen
See also
- Other wheeled APCs and IFVs developed in South Africa
- General
References
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- ^ "General Dynamics | Canada > Home" (PDF). Gdlscanada.com. Retrieved 2010-03-19.
- ^ "Today's Zaman, Turkish daily news". Retrieved 5 November 2014.
- ^ a b "RG-31 Nyala Mine Protected Vehicle". Retrieved 2011-03-01.
- ^ "Military Identifies 4 of 6 Canadian Soldiers Killed". CBC News. 2007-07-04. Retrieved 2011-03-01.
- ^ Letterkenny U.S. Army Depot to celebrate production of new RG31 4x4 route clearance vehicle - Armyrecognition.com, 26 July 2016
- ^ "Basic variant specifications".
- ^ "GDLS RG-31 Mk5 spec sheet PDF" (PDF).
- ^ "Arms Trade Register". SIPRI. Retrieved 22 June 2012.
- ^ "???". Archived from the original on July 7, 2007.
{{cite web}}
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suggested) (help) - ^ "General Dynamics Awarded USD $67 Million Modification to Previously Awarded U.S. Army RG-31 Mk5 Contract". 2008-06-12. Retrieved 2011-03-01.
- ^ "General Dynamics News - August 8, 2007". Gd.com. 2007-08-08. Retrieved 2010-03-19.
- ^ "Diversity Adds Depth to MRAP". Military.com. Retrieved 2010-03-19.
- ^ "General Dynamics News - July 17, 2008". Gd.com. 2008-07-17. Retrieved 2010-03-19.
- ^ "Chacón afirma que el blindado evitó un "mal mayor" en el ataque de Afganistán", La Vanguardia, 19/06/2011