RG-31 Nyala

RG-31 Mk3A
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; Option 5: Weichai WD615
Suspension	4×4-wheeled
Operational; range	900 km (559 mi)
Maximum speed	100 km/h (62 mph)

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.

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 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-31 Sabre – cargo version
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).^[9]

Operators

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

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

Burundi:
- Burundi Army
  - 12x RG-31 Nyala^[10]
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^[11]
Eswatini: 7× RG-31 Nyala Mk5E, currently used by the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF).^[12]
United Arab Emirates: 253× customized RG-31 Mk5^[12]
United Nations: 30× RG-31 Nyala
United States:
- US SOCOM
  - 50× Mk5A1S
- US Army
  - 148× RG-31 Mk3 Charger,
  - 257× Mk5A1^[13]
  - 111× Mk5E^[14]
- USMC
  - 12× Mk5A's (MRAP Cat I)
  - 1385× Mk5E's (MRAP Cat II)^[15]^[16]^[17]
- Academi
Ukraine: 1 RG-31 Nyala in a combat ambulance configuration was provided to Ukraine by Spain as military aid.^[18]

Combat history

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^[19]
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]}

References

^ "General Dynamics | Canada > Home" (PDF). Gdlscanada.com. Retrieved 19 March 2010.
^ "Today's Zaman, Turkish daily news". Retrieved 5 November 2014.
^ "Deutsche Rüstungsexporte: Einzelansicht". ruestungsexport-info.de. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
^ ^a ^b "RG-31 Nyala Mine Protected Vehicle". Retrieved 1 March 2011.
^ "Military Identifies 4 of 6 Canadian Soldiers Killed". CBC News. 4 July 2007. Retrieved 1 March 2011.
^ Letterkenny U.S. Army Depot to celebrate production of new RG31 4x4 route clearance vehicle - Armyrecognition.com, 26 July 2016
^ "Basic variant specifications".
^ "GDLS RG-31 Mk5 spec sheet PDF" (PDF).
^ Administrator. "The BAE Systems RG-31 Agrab 120mm 4x4 mortar carrier vehicle to be produced in UAE 2609133". www.armyrecognition.com. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
^ International Institute for Strategic Studies (2021). The Military Balance. p. 453. ISBN 9781032012278.
^ "Internal Server Error" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 June 2017.
^ ^a ^b "Arms Trade Register". SIPRI. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
^ "???". Archived from the original on 7 July 2007.
^ "General Dynamics Awarded USD $67 Million Modification to Previously Awarded U.S. Army RG-31 Mk5 Contract". 12 June 2008. Retrieved 1 March 2011.
^ "General Dynamics News - August 8, 2007". Gd.com. 8 August 2007. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 19 March 2010.
^ "Diversity Adds Depth to MRAP". Military.com. Archived from the original on 23 October 2007. Retrieved 19 March 2010.
^ "General Dynamics News - July 17, 2008". Gd.com. 17 July 2008. Retrieved 19 March 2010.
^ "Spanish Military Aid To Ukraine".
^ "Chacón afirma que el blindado evitó un "mal mayor" en el ataque de Afganistán", La Vanguardia, 19 June 2011

[1] "General Dynamics | Canada > Home" (PDF). Gdlscanada.com. Retrieved 19 March 2010.

[2] "Today's Zaman, Turkish daily news". Retrieved 5 November 2014.

[3] "Deutsche Rüstungsexporte: Einzelansicht". ruestungsexport-info.de. Retrieved 9 June 2024.

[defupd-4] "RG-31 Nyala Mine Protected Vehicle". Retrieved 1 March 2011.

[5] "Military Identifies 4 of 6 Canadian Soldiers Killed". CBC News. 4 July 2007. Retrieved 1 March 2011.

[6] Letterkenny U.S. Army Depot to celebrate production of new RG31 4x4 route clearance vehicle - Armyrecognition.com, 26 July 2016

[7] "Basic variant specifications".

[8] "GDLS RG-31 Mk5 spec sheet PDF" (PDF).

[9] Administrator. "The BAE Systems RG-31 Agrab 120mm 4x4 mortar carrier vehicle to be produced in UAE 2609133". www.armyrecognition.com. Retrieved 23 March 2018.

[IISS-10] International Institute for Strategic Studies (2021). The Military Balance. p. 453. ISBN 9781032012278.

[11] "Internal Server Error" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 June 2017.

[sipri2-12] "Arms Trade Register". SIPRI. Retrieved 15 February 2023.

[13] "???". Archived from the original on 7 July 2007.

[14] "General Dynamics Awarded USD $67 Million Modification to Previously Awarded U.S. Army RG-31 Mk5 Contract". 12 June 2008. Retrieved 1 March 2011.

[15] "General Dynamics News - August 8, 2007". Gd.com. 8 August 2007. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 19 March 2010.

[16] "Diversity Adds Depth to MRAP". Military.com. Archived from the original on 23 October 2007. Retrieved 19 March 2010.

[17] "General Dynamics News - July 17, 2008". Gd.com. 17 July 2008. Retrieved 19 March 2010.

[18] "Spanish Military Aid To Ukraine".

[19] "Chacón afirma que el blindado evitó un "mal mayor" en el ataque de Afganistán", La Vanguardia, 19 June 2011

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v t e Armoured fighting vehicles of South Africa
Armoured cars	Eland Marmon-Herrington Rooikat
Infantry Fighting Vehicles	Badger Mbombe Ratel
Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP)	Buffel Casspir Hippo Mamba Marauder Matador Maverick Okapi RCV-9 Reva RG-12 RG-19 RG-31 Nyala RG-32 Scout RG-33 RG-34 RG-35 RG-41 RG Outrider PUMA M26-15
Artillery, transport and combat engineering	Husky VMMD Meerkat G6 Rhino Mfezi Valkiri SAMIL Bateleur
Related articles	List of equipment of the South African Army South African Army

v t e Canadian Army
History	History of the Canadian Army Canadian Corps First Canadian Army Military History of Canada Fort Frontenac Library Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps Peacekeeping
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Brigade groups	31 CBG 32 CBG 33 CBG 34 CBG 35 CBG 36 CBG 37 CBG 38 CBG 39 CBG 41 CBG
Support brigades	6 CCSB
Small arms	C9 light machine gun C7 rifle/C8 carbine C6 general purpose machine gun Browning .50 calibre heavy machine gun Browning-HP 9 mm pistol P225, 226 C22 pistol C15 Long Range Sniper Weapon (LRSW) C3A1 sniper rifle C14 Timberwolf C19 rifle C20 DMR C21 sniper rifle C13 fragmentation grenade M203 grenade launcher M72 SRAAW(L)
Crewed weapons	Carl Gustav SRAAW(M) Spike ATGM TOW LRAAW(H) 81 mm mortar RBS 70 NG MANPADS Skyguard C3 close support howitzer LG1 Mark II 105 mm towed howitzer M777 lightweight 155mm howitzer C16 CASW
Armoured fighting vehicles	LAV III LAV VI Coyote Reconnaissance Vehicle Leopard 2 Bison APC M113A3 and MTVL RG-31 Textron TAPV
Schools	Canadian Army Command and Staff College Peace Support Training Centre Canadian Army Advanced Warfare Centre Combat Training Centre
Category Commons

v t e Modern wheeled infantry fighting vehicles and armoured personnel carriers
Overviews	Armored car Scout car Reconnaissance vehicle Armoured reconnaissance
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6×6	Al-Faris APS-2 APS-3 Anoa Avalon BTR-152 Bull Bulat Caiman Cougar Didgori-3 EE-11 Urutu Ejder Fuchs Grizzly K806 White Tiger Mbombe 6 Okapi Otaman Pandur I Panhard VCR Pasi (XA-180) Patria 6×6 Pegaso BMR Protolab Misu Iveco Puma Mowag Puma Ratel RG-35 RN-94 Alvis Saracen Shoet SIBMAS Tatrapan Typhoon VAB Valuk VBTP-MR Guarani VBMR Griffon VN22 WZ-523 WZ-551
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Related	Motor pool Mechanized infantry Navboxes: {{WWII US Soft Vehicles}} {{Modern reconnaissance vehicles}} {{Modern UK fighting vehicles}}