RG-31 Nyala

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.^[2] It is based on the Mamba APC of TFM Industries.

RG-31 Mk3A
RG-31 Charger
Type	Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected 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	Varies weapons such as optional 12.7mm M2 Browning machine gun by weapons mount
Engine	Option 1: Daimler-Benz OM 352A, 6-cylinder diesel, 123 hp Option 2: Iveco Tector F4AE0681D diesel Option 3: Detroit Diesel Option 4: Cummins 6.7L QSB, 6-cylinder diesel, 275 hp [1] Option 5: Weichai WD615
Suspension	4×4-wheeled
Operational range	900 km (559 mi)
Maximum speed	100 km/h (62 mph)

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]}

Design

The RG-31 is based on a UNIMOG chassis.^[3] 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.^[4] The vehicle is designed to resist a blast equivalent to two TM-57 anti-tank mines detonating simultaneously.^[5] 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 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.^[6]

Production history

Variants

Variants come in either an armoured personnel carrier (APC) or utility vehicle (cargo) configuration.^[7]

• RG-31 Mk3A – based on Mamba APC
• RG-31 Mk5^[8]
• 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^[9]
• RG-31 Mk5LHM – Pick-Op version of Mk5E^[9]
• RG-31 Mk5 Ambulance^[9]
• 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.^[4]
• RG-31 Agrab; Mortar carrier version with SRAMS (Super Rapid Advanced Mortar System).^[10]

Operators

Map with RG-31 operators in blue

Spanish RG-31 Nyala prepare to depart Forward Operating Base Bernardo de Galvez for a patrol through the town of Sang Atesh, Afghanistan.

A UN RG-31 in Iraq.

Iraqi National Police armored vehicles line up for a convoy at Joint Security Station Beladiyat.

•  Burundi:
  • Burundi Army
    • 12x RG-31 Nyala^[11]
•  Canada:
  • 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, 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
•  Colombia:
  • National Army of Colombia
    • 4× RG-31 Nyala
•  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: 76× RG-31 Nyala
•  Senegal
•  Somalia^[12]
•  Eswatini: 7× RG-31 Nyala Mk5E, currently used by the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF).^[13]
•  United Arab Emirates: 253× customized RG-31 Mk5^[13]
•  United Nations: 30× RG-31 Nyala
•  United States:
  • US SOCOM
    • 50× Mk5A1S
  • US Army
    • 148× RG-31 Mk3 Charger,
    • 257× Mk5A1^[14]
    • 111× Mk5E^[15]
  • USMC
    • 12× Mk5A's (MRAP Cat I)
    • 1385× Mk5E's (MRAP Cat II)^[16][17][18]
  • Academi
• Ukraine: 1 RG-31 Nyala in a combat ambulance configuration was provided to Ukraine by Spain as military aid.^[19]

Combat history

RG-31 Nyala damaged by a mine

RG-31 after getting hit by an IED in Iraq in 2007. The explosion tore the vehicle in two. The crew survived, but they were severely wounded.

• Afghanistan – Canada, (including 5 leased to Netherlands) (ISAF), United States, and Spain^[20]
• 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^{[citation needed]}

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