Ratel 90
| Crew | 3 + 6 infantry (fewer if used in fire support role |
|---|---|
| Main Armament | 1 × 90mm low pressure gun |
| Secondary Armament | 1 × 7.62mm co-axial MG 1 × 7.62mm GPMG in AA mount on rear of vehicle 1 × 7.62mm GPMG on commander’s cupola 4 × 81mm smoke grenade launchers |
| Ammunition | 72 90mm bombs stored in the turret and hull 6000 rounds 7.62mm |
| Combat Mass | 19ton |
| Hull length | 7.21m |
| Width | 2.7m |
| Height | 2.915m |
| Engine | 12 litre six cylinder in line turbo diesel |
| Power output | 230kW |
| Fuel | 480 litres |
| Road Speed | 105km/h |
| Off Road Speed | 30km/h |
| Road Range | 1000km |
| Off Road Range | 600km |
| Gradient | 27º |
| Step | 0.6m |
| Trench | 1.15m |
| Ford | 1.2m |
Description
20, but mounts a low velocity 90 mm gun, identical to the Eland 90. Further changes involve the reworking of the roof lining and a reduction of the troop compartment roof hatches from four to two. It carries one less passenger in order to make room for more ammunition for its main gun with the installation of extra ammunition racks. The Ratel 90 serves as a fire support vehicle used to knock out strong points and, while not originally designed for the anti-tank role. Mechanised Infantry Groups fielding Ratel 90s achieved success by skilfully outmaneuvering the newer Soviet tanks which required multiple hits with 90 mm HEAT rounds from their 90 mm guns, often at point-blank range at vulnerable points (engine vents, turret rings) in order to disable them.
