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 :(
great post dear, thanks for your information . this post got upvote from http://steemit.com/@lighttheworld.
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interesting thanks for info.
I agree with you, "Ratel" is an example of a fairly successful wheeled infantry fighting vehicle, developed taking into account economic and geographical conditions. The hulls of the machines are welded from steel armor plates with a thickness of 6 to 20 mm. The frontal parts are installed with a rational slope and protected from armor-piercing bullets of caliber 12.7 mm, circular protection is provided from 7, b2-mm bullets and shell fragments. The design of the bottom and the wheeled propulsor provides increased anti-mine resistance, which in South Africa is given special importance, taking into account the predominantly partisan nature of military conflicts and the need for action along the roads. Thank you @gavvet. Let others know about your post UpVoted & ReSteemed
Thanks for the great post. I absolutely love these machines and has personally driven with them various times at Roodewal Bombing Range in Polokwane (South Africa) and Overberg Test Range at African's most Southern point. They are still in commission in the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).
We build our decision support systems into them since they are very mobile and, of course, rugged. I must admit, it is not great sitting in them for work since they are super cramped inside and get very warm in the African sun.
I've often dreamt of using them in Cape Town traffic though... just not slowing down when another slow moving vehicle pushes in front of me. I am sure I won't be able to afford the diesel though. ;)
The troops told me that these Ratels can simply drive over trenches in the ground of several meters, because of how well balanced they are! Does anyone here know the actual spec's for the clearance?
Looks like it could get pretty hot yeah!
Ja, dit raakbaie warm daar binne. Gelukkig het ek altyd by die toring uitgestaan. :)
Nice... good move smart thinking...
How do they not build a/c systems in these combat vehicles ?
Very nice post friend 👌. thanks for sharing
Helpme pease help help me please voteme or followme
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the post is very good and I really like your posting.👍👍
Thankyou for sharing @gavvet
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Thanks for info.
The further developed human advancement, the more refined likewise the battle gadget.. and also the Tank
Always good to see something about South Africa.
Those amours are really great, but I think each day there is an increasing activities of show casing ones war heads and tank which get me scared and thinking if actually ther are preparing for war or planning to have one, example North Korea and iran are doing theirs and now it is South Africa. hmmmmm... also the increasing activities of terrorism is another factor that gets me scared also...just wish we can have an everlasting peace in the world... but a wise man said that peace is only for the dead because that is when you don't have or get any trouble from any one.
Just airing my views.
Please voteme or followme... Helpme please cekidot please help help help. Help
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I wonder what is the machines doing these days? Thx for sharing.
Hi @gavvet by @haika
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That's pretty kickass I didn't even know we head such cool military machinery in South Africa 🇿🇦 those don't look like vehicles you would wanna come across if you where the enemy opponent 💥 Really cool post upvoted 🤙🏻🤙🏻
very good
@gavvet - Oh my goodness, your country made this war machine Sir? According to the video it has huge gun power Sir. :O I think this Ratels are more faster than a tank Sir. Love your article Sir. <3 :*
+W+ [UpVoted & ReSteemed]
nice post
Beautifully explained about Ratel .Many people dindn't know about it
good work and worth full information
love this post
If u don't mind buddy, please post the comparison and vs between ww1 and ww2.
:)
upvoted
major threats to world are arising due to the clash of civilizations and cultures. This tripole global politics is a hurdle against peace
@gavvet,
Those "Ratels" are outstanding gun fire beasts! That's why my country decided to buy this outstanding fighting machine to war against terrorism. And also we bought few other great military weapons from SA too! Actually this is a great invention! Thanks for sharing such great article with us!
Cheers~
Mine(s) thank God it is not ours,.. or is it our as well,... Maybe Yes, at the end we are all effected an within the conflicts,.. in a certain way we are involved, so it is "mine" as well,... Start feeling a shame for the involvement,..
But what a nice animal (the first pic) honestly saying; never saw that before !
South Africa's war has killed a lot of people. Your post is very good.
Yeah
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Nice picture
Upvote please...
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Powerful war machines dedicated to protecting the Republic of South Africa!
amigo #resteemia at your service
ReSteemia
'UpVoted ReSteemed Commented'
This tank looks so strong, @gavvet. Thanks for sharing this interesting post. I have just upvoted it!
Congratulations @gavvet
MinnowsPower listed your post "The South African Border War - Enter the Ratel" as one of the top 10 upvoted and commented posts of the day...!!!
Exceptional article about SA border wars and infrastructures that used in war time.
100% Upvoted by @MinnowsPower
MinnowsPower is not a bot, I am a Crowdfunding Hybrid
One small UpVote of Yours build MinnowsPower and MinnowsPower will Not Forget Your Support...!!!
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Nice
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Very good post about war, very cute Ratel (Mellivora capens)
The Ratel is a good invention from South Africa.So powerful , I didn't know its fire could take out a soviet T-34 tank. Does South Africa still produce them ?
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Oh my goodness @gavvet... 😲
I think Ratel-90 is very powerful armor..
What ever terrorism should defeat totally..
Thanks for the video..
Upvoted and cheers..😊👌👍
Thank you for this nice post.. I am surprised each time I see your post. You get some many upvotes in just one hour. You must be a full time steemian.. I wish one day I can also achive 50% of your writing skills. Thx again
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0
Dont put this as comment. Please change it
honey badger salah satu hewan yang paling tidak tahu kapan untuk menyerah. aku rasa Ratel 60 adalah salah satu mesin terbaik yang dimiliki afrikans
Good luck!!
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This is awesome!
wowww fantastis..
An interesting post, I did not know these things