The South African Border War - Enter the Ratel
The word Ratel is the Afrikaans name for the honey badger, but it was applied to the Infantry Fighting Vehicle introduces into the Angolan conflict by the South Africans in 1977.
The Ratel came in a number of variants and was designed specifically for Southern African conditions.
The Ratel 20
The rapid fire of high explosive and armour piercing tungsten carbide rounds proved capable of taking out the Soviet T-34 Tank.
The Ratel-60 and Ratel-90.
These had 60 and 90 mm breach loaders and often had to contend with Angolan T-34 and T-54/55 tanks which outranged them. Successes against these tanks were mainly due to larger numbers and much higher maneuverability and visibility, especially in the high dense bush of Southern Angola.
The higher profile of the IFV made it a larger target but the increased sight was a definite advantage over the soviet made tanks.
The Ratel ZT3.
This was specifically designed for Tank killing at longer ranges and open areas with its launcher for lazer guided anti tank missiles.
Below is a video of various Ratels in action along with other South African developed armaments in mock battle.
Previous posts in this series can be found at the bottom of this post:
The South African Border War - 1976, The end of a chapter and the beginning of a new phase.
The South African Border War - Mines, Mines did I say mines?
interesting story...
Right it.
honey badger doesn't give a shit!
Wow... I think I can share my game of world war II tanks? You gave me Idea. Because I think people will like the history of the TANKS that they use during WORLD WAR II...
Will you do a reportage on the genocide against white people which currently taking place in South Africa?
The more advanced civilization, the more sophisticated also the combat device.. as well as the Tank
Wish there is a world without Warheads. Then Money can be spent to eradicate poverty and hunger.
If only :(
hopefully....
@gavvet the honey badger is freaking cute
the other ratels .. hmmmm
Good thoughts
follow me = follow back
It's my first time to know what Ratel is. Are u a soldier and deployed in Africa?
I have to admit, I had no idea what a Ratel was before I read your article! Thanks for giving me some extra knowledge!
Me too, very interesting thanks for the information,
Pretty sick machine. Love the video!
Ratels used versus tanks to great effect in the Battle on the Lomba river. I remember them saying it might take a couple of hits to take out a tank, but they were more maneuvrable and had better trained crews.
Hey there buddy. @gavvet is a great member of the cumminity isn't he! You are too. Stopped by your page, but didn't see any new posts. So I figure I'll write you here. All is good with me. I've been out having one somewhat dangerous adventure after another. Check out my latest post if you have time. A little different than some of my other posts I've published. Let me now what you think! Have a great day! -Dan
Thanks gavvet, how often did a Ratel actually ever come into confrontation with a Soviet tank and a shoot out take place?
Those armor piercing tungsten carbide rounds do the damage. Even in a 50 BMG with those rounds, the core doesn't even deform. At most it will crack into a few pieces, but not deform.
Wars are never good :(