equipment sa-soldier

Ratel 20 IFV

The Ratel 20 is a homegrown South African 6x6 infantry fighting vehicle and carries a crew of 11 men (driver, gunner, commander, AA gunner, and 7 riflemen. Entry/exit is via a rear door or two side doors. There are also escape hatches in the roof and turret. Main armament is a turret-mounted 20mm cannon. Secondary armament consists of a 7.62mm co-ax MG and two 7.62mm AAMGs – one on a pintle mount on the turret and one on a small cupola at the rear of the vehicle. Additionally, there are four firing ports on each side of the vehicle. Armour is maximum 20mm thick, and is well-sloped all round. The engine and automatic transmission allow a maximum road speed of around 105km/h (65mph) with a range of about 1000km (620 miles). Variants include an armoured command vehicle equipped with a 12.7mm machine gun or a 20mm gun, a missile launcher, a 60mm and 81mm mortar, a 90mm gun as well as logistic and recovery vehicles. A combat loaded Ratel weighs in at 18 tons, is extremely versatile off-road and has been the basic infantry fighting vehicle of mechanised infantry groups in the Army for a number of years.

R4 assault rifle

The R4, a standard issue for all soldiers, is a South African assault rifle with a folding stock and 5.56mm calibre. It was developed to replace the aging R1 (a variation of the FN FAL). This weapon first saw active service in South West Africa (Namibia) and in raids into Angola and other neighbouring southern african countries in the late 1970s. The R4 is partly based on the famous Israeli Galil rifle and is still in service in all the branches of the South African Defence Force.

Specifications:

Calibre: 5,56 mm x 45 (.223)
System Operation: Gas Locking System - Rotating block Muzzle
Velocity: 980 m/s
Rate of Fire: 600 - 750 rpm
Mass (empty): 4,3 kg
Length (folded): 740 mm
Barrel Length: 460 mm
Height (bipod: 360 mm
Effective Range: 500 m
Sight Radius: 475 mm
Feed Device: 35 round magazine (standard) or 50 rd magazine
5 round magazine for rifle grenade

FN MAG Light Machine Gun

MAG stands for Mitrailleuse d'Appui General which is Belgian for General Purpose Machinegun. It was developed by the famous Belgian company FN Herstal in the 1950s as a true universal machine gun that could be used as a light MG on bipod, as a medium MG on tripod or as a vehicle-mounted and coaxial MG on helicopters, armored cars and tanks. The basic design used as much steel stampings and pressings as possible to save the labor and costs, and the final gun had the angular, but very business-like appearance. By no way a beauty, it is extremely reliable and a proven design that has seen widespread service in many armies around the world, including Belgian, British, Australian, Canadian, and the USA.

Specifications:

Calibre: 7.62mm x 51mm NATO
System Operation: Gas, automatic
Rate Of Fire: Cyclic, 650 - 1000 rounds a minute
Weight: ~11 - 13 kg on bipod, ~21 kg on tripod
Length: 1260 mm
Barrel Length: 545 mm
Effective Range: 2000 m
Feed: belt

40 mm RPG-7 (Rocket Propelled Grenade)

The RPG-7 is one of the most common anti-tank weapons in the world, and in Angola, the communist backed forces made extensive use of this simple, yet effective weapon. Due to the large amounts of weapons captured by the SADF in successful cross-border operations, South African troops operating in enemy territory were often trained in the use of the RPG-7. Although designed as an anti-tank weapons it's characteristics make it an ideal weapon for terrorist attacks against civilian VIP targets. It can also be used as an effective anti-sniper weapon within its 300 meter flat trajectory range. The RPG-7 is, along with its successor, the RPG-16, the main weapon of the Soviet soldier against enemy tanks. They are supplemented by the RPG-18, a copy of the M72 66 mm light anti-tank weapon used by US and British forces. The RPG-7 has a long combat record, where, in the 1973 Middle East War, they destroyed more Israeli tanks on the northern front than any other weapon. The Israelis themselves have adopted large numbers of captured RPG-7s and have designed and produced a similar weapon. In Afghanistan, where the Afghan Resistance used both Soviet and Chinese built versions of the RPG-7, the Soviets lost many tanks to these recoilless RPGs.

Specifications:

Launcher Weight: 7.9 kg
Round Weight: 2.25 kg
Warhead: 85 mm grenade, contact electric fuse, 94% RDX and 6% wax
Muzzle Velocity: 120 meters per second
Maximum Velocity: 300 meters per second
Effective Range: 300 meters
Armour Penetration: 330 mm

MEERKAT 40 mm MULTIPLE GRENADE LAUNCHER

The Meerkat (Milkor MGL-MK1) is the premier multiple grenade launcher of the world. Made in South Africa, the Milkor MGL gives its operator 6 rounds of 40mm low-impulse grenades at his immediate disposal, making it an extremely effective force multiplier for any special operations team. It is the preferred multiple grenade launcher of Spec-Ops and mercenary forces around the world. One of the features that makes the Meerkat such an effective combat weapon is the Armson Occluded Eye Gunsight that the weapon employs. The sight is used with both eyes open making accurate shots a snap.

Specifications:

Launcher Weight: 5.3 kg
Folded Length: 778 mm
Capacity: 6 shots
Max. effective range: 375 m
Max. rate of fire: 3 rounds per second
Muzzle velocity: 76 meters per second

LRAC-89 Anti-Tank Free Flight Missile Launcher

The extensive use of plastics has led to the development of a low-weight anti-tank weapon with considerable strike effect. The launcher consists of the launch tube on which an adjustable shoulder piece foregrip, electrical firing mechanism and telescopic sight are mounted. The rocket is carried in a container, which is fitted directly into the tube, thus extending its length and ensuring that all of the propellant is burnt before the missile leaves the muzzle. All the required electrical connections are made as the round is loaded. The propelling charge is of the 'brush' type, in which a number of sticks of propellant are supported by perforated disks at each end. Due to the small spaces created between the individual sticks, faster and more even burning of the propellant is achieved. The rapid burning propellant does not leave exhaust particles and ensures a high muzzle velocity. The fin-stabilised rocket is pre-packed in a discardable launch canister, which can be fired in all weather conditions. The launcher is reusable and has a life in excess of 200 firings. Burnout of the rocket is achieved inside the launcher, thus eliminating the need for protective clothing. The HEAT warhead is capable of penetrating 650 mm of rolled homogenous armour steel, making it capable of destroying main battle tanks from any angle. The missile was developed by Sonchem jointly with France and Germany, and was battle tested in Angola during the 80's.

Specifications:

Length of launcher: 1170mm
Length of launcher with round fitted: 1600mm
Length of round: 600mm
Height with bipod and optical sight: 203mm
Mass of complete launcher: 5,5kg
Mass of rocket in container: 3,2kg
Mass of carry container with two rounds: 7kg
Mass of loaded launcher ready to fire: 5,5kg
Calibre of the rocket: 88,9mm

Headgear - Bush hat and kevlar helmet

The headgear used in the SADF was optimized for use in the South African bush. The floppy bush hat (left) helped keep the sun out, and also particularly noticible is the sun-flap on the nutria helmet cover.

M83 Tactical load bearing vest (Gevegsbaadjie)

The fully padded mesh waistcoat has size/height adjusting, side and shoulder straps, and was developed in South Africa for the South African Defence Force in the early eighties. The vest pouches are made of tough, brown texturised nylon with twin, zip closing, rear cargo pockets, which will carry a clansman PRC 320 Radio.

Each side has huge, buckle fastening cargo pouches, eight R4 mags, as well as grenades and ffd's can be carried in the nine velcro closing front pouches. There are also numerous accessory loops, attachment points and a map pocket.

This battle-jacket proved so successful in the hostile environment of the South African bush that it's design has since been adopted by many armies around the world.

Please note that these are only some of the weapons and gear with which the South African Infantry trained.
For obvious reasons this page does not intend listing all the weapons and equipment used in the SADF.



Ratel 20 IFV		More Ratels here
The Ratel 20 is a homegrown South African 6x6 infantry fighting vehicle and carries a crew of 11 men (driver, gunner, commander, AA gunner, and 7 riflemen. Entry/exit is via a rear door or two side doors. There are also escape hatches in the roof and turret. Main armament is a turret-mounted 20mm cannon. Secondary armament consists of a 7.62mm co-ax MG and two 7.62mm AAMGs – one on a pintle mount on the turret and one on a small cupola at the rear of the vehicle. Additionally, there are four firing ports on each side of the vehicle. Armour is maximum 20mm thick, and is well-sloped all round. The engine and automatic transmission allow a maximum road speed of around 105km/h (65mph) with a range of about 1000km (620 miles). Variants include an armoured command vehicle equipped with a 12.7mm machine gun or a 20mm gun, a missile launcher, a 60mm and 81mm mortar, a 90mm gun as well as logistic and recovery vehicles. A combat loaded Ratel weighs in at 18 tons, is extremely versatile off-road and has been the basic infantry fighting vehicle of mechanised infantry groups in the Army for a number of years.




R4 assault rifle
The R4, a standard issue for all soldiers, is a South African assault rifle with a folding stock and 5.56mm calibre. It was developed to replace the aging R1 (a variation of the FN FAL). This weapon first saw active service in South West Africa (Namibia) and in raids into Angola and other neighbouring southern african countries in the late 1970s. The R4 is partly based on the famous Israeli Galil rifle and is still in service in all the branches of the South African Defence Force. Specifications: Calibre: 5,56 mm x 45 (.223) System Operation: Gas Locking System - Rotating block Muzzle Velocity: 980 m/s Rate of Fire: 600 - 750 rpm Mass (empty): 4,3 kg Length (folded): 740 mm Barrel Length: 460 mm Height (bipod: 360 mm Effective Range: 500 m Sight Radius: 475 mm Feed Device: 35 round magazine (standard) or 50 rd magazine 5 round magazine for rifle grenade




FN MAG Light Machine Gun
MAG stands for Mitrailleuse d'Appui General which is Belgian for General Purpose Machinegun. It was developed by the famous Belgian company FN Herstal in the 1950s as a true universal machine gun that could be used as a light MG on bipod, as a medium MG on tripod or as a vehicle-mounted and coaxial MG on helicopters, armored cars and tanks. The basic design used as much steel stampings and pressings as possible to save the labor and costs, and the final gun had the angular, but very business-like appearance. By no way a beauty, it is extremely reliable and a proven design that has seen widespread service in many armies around the world, including Belgian, British, Australian, Canadian, and the USA. Specifications: Calibre: 7.62mm x 51mm NATO System Operation: Gas, automatic Rate Of Fire: Cyclic, 650 - 1000 rounds a minute Weight: ~11 - 13 kg on bipod, ~21 kg on tripod Length: 1260 mm Barrel Length: 545 mm Effective Range: 2000 m Feed: belt



40 mm RPG-7 (Rocket Propelled Grenade)
The RPG-7 is one of the most common anti-tank weapons in the world, and in Angola, the communist backed forces made extensive use of this simple, yet effective weapon. Due to the large amounts of weapons captured by the SADF in successful cross-border operations, South African troops operating in enemy territory were often trained in the use of the RPG-7. Although designed as an anti-tank weapons it's characteristics make it an ideal weapon for terrorist attacks against civilian VIP targets. It can also be used as an effective anti-sniper weapon within its 300 meter flat trajectory range. The RPG-7 is, along with its successor, the RPG-16, the main weapon of the Soviet soldier against enemy tanks. They are supplemented by the RPG-18, a copy of the M72 66 mm light anti-tank weapon used by US and British forces. The RPG-7 has a long combat record, where, in the 1973 Middle East War, they destroyed more Israeli tanks on the northern front than any other weapon. The Israelis themselves have adopted large numbers of captured RPG-7s and have designed and produced a similar weapon. In Afghanistan, where the Afghan Resistance used both Soviet and Chinese built versions of the RPG-7, the Soviets lost many tanks to these recoilless RPGs. Specifications: Launcher Weight: 7.9 kg Round Weight: 2.25 kg Warhead: 85 mm grenade, contact electric fuse, 94% RDX and 6% wax Muzzle Velocity: 120 meters per second Maximum Velocity: 300 meters per second Effective Range: 300 meters Armour Penetration: 330 mm



MEERKAT 40 mm MULTIPLE GRENADE LAUNCHER
The Meerkat (Milkor MGL-MK1) is the premier multiple grenade launcher of the world. Made in South Africa, the Milkor MGL gives its operator 6 rounds of 40mm low-impulse grenades at his immediate disposal, making it an extremely effective force multiplier for any special operations team. It is the preferred multiple grenade launcher of Spec-Ops and mercenary forces around the world. One of the features that makes the Meerkat such an effective combat weapon is the Armson Occluded Eye Gunsight that the weapon employs. The sight is used with both eyes open making accurate shots a snap. Specifications: Launcher Weight: 5.3 kg Folded Length: 778 mm Capacity: 6 shots Max. effective range: 375 m Max. rate of fire: 3 rounds per second Muzzle velocity: 76 meters per second

LRAC-89 Anti-Tank Free Flight Missile Launcher
The extensive use of plastics has led to the development of a low-weight anti-tank weapon with considerable strike effect. The launcher consists of the launch tube on which an adjustable shoulder piece foregrip, electrical firing mechanism and telescopic sight are mounted. The rocket is carried in a container, which is fitted directly into the tube, thus extending its length and ensuring that all of the propellant is burnt before the missile leaves the muzzle. All the required electrical connections are made as the round is loaded. The propelling charge is of the 'brush' type, in which a number of sticks of propellant are supported by perforated disks at each end. Due to the small spaces created between the individual sticks, faster and more even burning of the propellant is achieved. The rapid burning propellant does not leave exhaust particles and ensures a high muzzle velocity. The fin-stabilised rocket is pre-packed in a discardable launch canister, which can be fired in all weather conditions. The launcher is reusable and has a life in excess of 200 firings. Burnout of the rocket is achieved inside the launcher, thus eliminating the need for protective clothing. The HEAT warhead is capable of penetrating 650 mm of rolled homogenous armour steel, making it capable of destroying main battle tanks from any angle. The missile was developed by Sonchem jointly with France and Germany, and was battle tested in Angola during the 80's. Specifications: Length of launcher: 1170mm Length of launcher with round fitted: 1600mm Length of round: 600mm Height with bipod and optical sight: 203mm Mass of complete launcher: 5,5kg Mass of rocket in container: 3,2kg Mass of carry container with two rounds: 7kg Mass of loaded launcher ready to fire: 5,5kg Calibre of the rocket: 88,9mm

Headgear - Bush hat and kevlar helmet
The headgear used in the SADF was optimized for use in the South African bush. The floppy bush hat (left) helped keep the sun out, and also particularly noticible is the sun-flap on the nutria helmet cover.


M83 Tactical load bearing vest (Gevegsbaadjie)
The fully padded mesh waistcoat has size/height adjusting, side and shoulder straps, and was developed in South Africa for the South African Defence Force in the early eighties. The vest pouches are made of tough, brown texturised nylon with twin, zip closing, rear cargo pockets, which will carry a clansman PRC 320 Radio. Each side has huge, buckle fastening cargo pouches, eight R4 mags, as well as grenades and ffd's can be carried in the nine velcro closing front pouches. There are also numerous accessory loops, attachment points and a map pocket. This battle-jacket proved so successful in the hostile environment of the South African bush that it's design has since been adopted by many armies around the world.

Please note that these are only some of the weapons and gear with which the South African Infantry trained. For obvious reasons this page does not intend listing all the weapons and equipment used in the SADF.