South Africa's Ratel ZT-3 in Action: A Tank-Killer on Wheels

Описание: a Ratel ZT-3 in action. The video shows the South African-designed and produced infantry fighting vehicle firing an anti-tank missile.

The Ratel ZT-3 is a South African infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) designed for anti-tank purposes. It's a variant of the widely-used Ratel IFV, which was notable as the world's first wheeled infantry fighting vehicle to enter service.

The ZT-3 variant was developed in the 1980s under "Project Raleigh" to provide a long-range anti-tank capability to the South African Defence Force (SADF). It was designed to counter the growing number of tanks encountered during the Border War.

The vehicle is armed with a ZT-3 Swift anti-tank guided missile system, also known as the Ingwe (Leopard) missile. The Ratel ZT-3 carries three ready-to-fire missiles in a launcher on top of the turret and can store an additional twelve missiles inside the hull for reloading.

The Ingwe missile is a laser-beam rider, meaning the missile automatically guides itself along a laser beam projected by the firing vehicle until it hits the target. This system proved effective in combat and was a significant technological advancement for the SADF at the time. The ZT-3 first saw combat in 1987 during Operation Moduler, where pre-production models successfully engaged and destroyed T-55 tanks.

The Ratel itself, built on a modified MAN truck chassis, was known for its mobility and long operational range, making it well-suited for the vast distances and terrain of Southern Africa. While its armor offered protection against small arms fire and shell splinters, its primary defense was its speed and the long-range standoff capability of its missiles.

The Ratel ZT-3 is currently being replaced in the South African military by the Badger infantry combat vehicle, which is a localized variant of the Finnish Patria AMV.

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