The RG-31 Nyala is a 4×4 multi-purpose Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle manufactured in South Africa by Land Systems OMC (a division of Denel SOC LTD), located in Benoni, South Africa and in Turkey by FNSS Defence Systems. It is based on the Mamba APC of TFM Industries.

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.

Design The RG-31 is based on a UNIMOG chassis. It 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.

The vehicle accommodates a crew ranging from 5 to 10 depending on mission needs, depending on model. Dismounting is provided via a large air actuated rear door and two front doors, also air actuated.

In July 2016, the Letterkenny Army Depot in Pennsylvania rolled out the latest variant of the RG-31, with improvements including an engine upgrade from 275 to 300 hp, a transmission upgrade, independent suspension, 360-degree spotlights for night visibility, and an armored gunner's hatch. The depot is scheduled to produce 929 improved RG-31s through 2020.Letterkenny U.S. Army Depot to celebrate production of new RG31 4x4 route clearance vehicle - Armyrecognition.com, 26 July 2016

Production history Variants Variants come in either an armoured personnel carrier (APC) or utility vehicle (cargo) configuration. RG-31 Mk3A – based on Mamba APC RG-31 Mk5 RG-31 Mk5E – An extended Mk5 with larger passenger/cargo capacity and superior blast and ballistic protection. RG-31 Mk5EHM – An extended GVW version of Mk5E RG-31 Mk5LHM – Pick-Op version of Mk5E RG-31 Mk5 Ambulance 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-31M – features a military wiring harness, central tire inflation and several other new characteristics. This vehicle has a crew of 5. RG-31 Agrab; Mortar carrier version with SRAMS (Super Rapid Advanced Mortar System).

Operators

: Burundi Army 12x RG-31 Nyala : Canadian Forces 75 RG-31 Mk3 with Protector (RWS) Remote Weapon Station; replaced by Textron Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle London Police Service 1x RG-31 Mk3A, used by the Emergency Response Team (replaced sometime around 2020 due to maintenance costs and was sold to Stratford Police Service) Durham Regional Police Service 1x RG-31 Mk3A, Tactical Rescue Vehicle donated by General Dynamics to the Tactical Response Unit : National Army of Colombia 4× RG-31 Nyala : 150× RG-31 Mk5E Nyala with Samson remote Weapon Station (+ option for 30 more) already deployed in Lebanon and Afghanistan. : 5× RG-31 Nyala : 1× RG-31 Nyala

: 76× RG-31 Nyala

: 7× RG-31 Nyala Mk5E, currently used by the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF). : 253× customized RG-31 Mk5 : 30× RG-31 Nyala : US SOCOM 50× Mk5A1S US Army 148× RG-31 Mk3 Charger, 257× Mk5A1 111× Mk5E USMC 12× Mk5A's (MRAP Cat I) 1,385× Mk5E's (MRAP Cat II) Academi : 1 RG-31 Nyala in a combat ambulance configuration was provided to Ukraine by Spain as military aid.

Combat history

Afghanistan – Canada, (including 5 leased to Netherlands) (ISAF), United States, and Spain"Chacón afirma que el blindado evitó un "mal mayor" en el ataque de Afganistán", La Vanguardia, 19 June 2011 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 Mali - MINUSMA Syria - UNDOF, later captured by rebel groups, eventually captured by Syrian Army

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 Mobility Vehicle MRAP List of modern armoured fighting vehicles

References