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.

TypeMine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle

PlaceoforiginSouth Africa

DesignerBAE Systems Land Systems OMC

Mass7.28 t

Quick facts Type, Place of origin ...

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)

Close

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

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, 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
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]