The Ratel 90 Infantry Fighting Vehicle | SOUTH AFRICAN HUNTER STRIKER

[@ginger0208]

These vehicles are super versatile, they just never stop working, proud South African here🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦

[@samsonsoturian6013]

These days most of them are broken down, collecting rust.

[@ginger0208]

@@samsonsoturian6013 you are exaggerating, majority of the fleet is still operational and receiving upgrades...the ones that are collecting dust are stored to be used as spare parts because we simply don't need that many for how small our military is

[@TheTyrantOfMars]

@@ginger0208 Do they still operate all the Rooikats? I love those things so far ahead of it’s time

[@ginger0208]

@@TheTyrantOfMars not all but most, our military has down scaled (mistake considering the current deployments we are involved in) so we currently have about 700 of them running and roughly 900 Ratels. We have a fleet totalling 2500 operational APCs. We are replacing the Ratels with The Badger designed by Denel Land Systems which is due to take place next year. Its a pretty awesome piece of kit and is a definite upgrade Edit: didn't realize he spoke about the Badger already, my bad🤣

[@samsonsoturian6013]

@@ginger0208 on paper. But some are openly rotting in parade fields. There's also a shortage of qualified mechanics and drivers, so perhaps a better way to put it is the remaining vehicles break often and are repaired slowly.

[@Gozar111]

I deployed with these in the South African Army and they were the best vehicles ever. When you deploy in a delta v formation and look back and see two rows next to you it’s the best sight ever.

[@user-qf6yt3id3w]

South Africa's arms industry is very interesting . They managed to do all this despite political isolation and economic sanctions.

[@destroyerarmor2846]

Because they were jerks

[@goddepersonno3782]

@@destroyerarmor2846 you can't exactly blame the engineers for their country's political strife

[@destroyerarmor2846]

@@goddepersonno3782 yeah, the MG 42 was good too

[@destroyerarmor2846]

@Graf von Losinj lmao

[@thepatriotsrage661]

We built and allegedly tested an A-Bomb as well... Thanks to Israel. Long live the state of Israel.

[@reinhardtrossouw1879]

Pronounced Rahtil, for lack of sound. Thanks Matsimus, worked with these vehicles for 10 of my 16 years service in the SADF/SANDF

[@fabiogallarate8268]

Im glad you covered this vehicle, our South African war thunder discord is already talking about it

[@sweetkiller9696]

I got the 1. Roikat and I love because normally Britain is kinda slow but MF is fast af I kinda like the south African vehicles

[@noturdad2855]

Can you like share the discord link

[@pathfinderexo5788]

Hey dude. I'm "Child of the server" there lol

[@cg_taugaming]

warthunder needs to add the rear mounted pintle gun for anti air also i make youtube videos

[@Adventure.120]

Inv to the server boet

[@hjb-1g8]

I was there in 1980. Was a brutal war. Proud of what the boys achieved there despite the political disaster

[@ericmunene8521]

That's great.you made history

[@LuandaWaterFront1990]

Amen!! Respect and Honor to the living and fallen of SADF 🙏 Forged in Battle! Ps. Colonel Neall Ellis is a Legend!

[@Deontjie]

A lot of Russian tank wrecks still litters southern Angola.

[@r.awilliams9815]

"...can achieve 120 kph, unofficially." That's when the mechanics remove the governor, like they always do. That's what mechanics are for.

[@dienar3717]

...and body roll induced accidents, which caused numerous deaths on the 2500 km long road to Angola

[@RSA-nuker]

My father use to be a gunner for one of these bad boys. He spoke very highly of the Ratel. Fun fact : The Ratel had a siren installed on them. They would hide in the thick bush, then charge out at the enemy with sirens blaring and canons firing to cause havoc and fear in troops. This is also the first encounter most crew members I believe would get as a surprise on their first day :P

[@Nambabwian]

Like the Stuka in WWII

[@Sm0kiebud]

My Brother, crashed one in a ditch roughly 1982-84, got a right hiding for it!, he was national service, drove RooiKat too briefly, I was then a boy in school, remember when he graduated in Pretoria and going to see these on parade when he passed, and seen again in Durban, when the war/ceasefire happened, one thing I remember he said, was he supported the artillery bombing across the border, and remember the amount of "wildlife" and bush they just steamrolled through, and the only blood he cleaned in that war, was just that, animal blood, dust etc...The Artillery G5's did the rest. then they rode back fast and cleaned up. He was lucky in way, but it was a harsh brutal environment for sure, and these delivered.

[@ExiliaN42]

My dad was the CO at 61Mech 1988, Col. Mike Muller. He would have been proud 💪

[@marcusmoonstein242]

Served under Mike Mike (as we knew him) in '88 during ops in southern Angola. I was a gunner on a Ratel 90 (71Charlie), hence my landing on this video. He got his nickname from his initials MM, which in radio phonetics is Mike Mike. I remember him as a skilled commander who cared deeply about the welfare of his men. One day we were having a battalion Sunday "parade" in the bush. When it was safe enough we would pull all the Ratels into a big laager about two hundred meters across with the command group in the middle. We would then leave a skeleton crew in the vehicles and the rest of us would go sit down around the command group for a brief church service and situational briefing. One Sunday after the briefing, Mike Mike looked embarrassed and said that he had something he wanted to bring up with the men. He said that sound traveled very well in the bush, especially in the evenings when the wind wasn't blowing. As such he could often hear snippets of the conversations the men were having in their vehicles. He then said something like: "Ek voel skaam oor vat ek hoor, want die dominee sit langs my." He then asked his battle-hardened men to clean up our language so as not to keep embarrassing him in front of the Dominee! Mind you, he said all this while the Dominee who had just done the Sunday church was still sitting next to him!

[@Ghoulza]

@@marcusmoonstein242 great story, I'm reading ratels on the lomba at the moment great book and amazing things you guys did there, glad you made it back

[@danielbtwd]

@@marcusmoonstein242 we possibly trained together at 1sai under Lt. Fierera. I ended up with 4sai. Served during Hooper and Displace. Callsign 12 Alpha, and Zero for Displace. Kind regards brother.

[@marcusmoonstein242]

@@danielbtwd I did indeed train under two Lt. Fieraras. (One in Alpha Co. in basics and one in Oscar Co. in gunnery training). Can you remember what he looked like and which platoon it was?

[@danielbtwd]

@@marcusmoonstein242 I was also in Oscar company during basics. However I am thinking of the Lt. Feirera that we had during 90mm training. If I remember correctly he was also our platoon commander during basics. Such a long time ago. We were selected from the 20mm gunners course. I think that I was in platoon 2 Oscar Co. during basics. I was the individual who klaared in with my head completely shaved.

[@indianasunsets5738]

Fascinating. This is what happens when a nation must create weapons systems with just what they have domestically. It's built around a heavy truck chassis built domestically and optimized for the kind of warfare they expected in their neck of the woods as opposed to buying weapons systems intended for NATO service in Europe.

[@PanzerAce760]

Reminds one of the Swedish tanks of the cold war era.

[@user-qf6yt3id3w]

@@PanzerAce760 Yeah, Sweden and South Africa have a lot in common in that both, for very different reasons politically, were forced to build almost all the weapons systems they needed domestically.

[@empire-classfirenationbatt2691]

Mat bringing us South Africans into the light again. Respect, brother💪🏽we sure do love our vehicles.

[@kobusdowney5291]

Thanx Matt! BTW pronounciation: Buffel: (biff)(fill) and Ratel: (egyptian sungod- Ra)(till) Also Dewalt Venter (Deer)(vault) (Fender- just make the (d) a hard (t))

[@ginger0208]

As a fellow South African I would like to say, this is a perfect explanation, I've never seen our language explained so well

[@kobusdowney5291]

@@ginger0208 thanx! I try to make it easy for everyone!

[@FamilyBrown88]

Ha ha, I was thinking about how to type this. Thanks.

[@chadmartin3271]

i read this before listening to the video, the way he says Ratel just hits my ear wrong... jarring every time i hear it, but hey he tried

[@cliveblair2435]

As someone who speaks fluent Afrikaans it is always interesting to hear people attempt to pronounce Afrikaans names etc. Well done with the written explanation. .

[@aewhatever]

A country that actually uses their IFVs

[@Homoprimatesapiens]

Thanx so much for this presentation. As a South African i am proud of our military products which we produce under stress and urgency because of the American and U.N. embargo. Will not go into this insane political decisions but it motivated our own weapons manufacturing program.

[@sgtbayonet556]

Just coming back now from a tour at Denel Dynamics so to see this in my feed is fucking awesome

[@cjclark2002]

They look solid and disheartening to hear the embargo thing, glad it motivated as one small positive remark but if it was pressed upon you under duress then my apologies from a US citizen who’s resentment for our governments choices and policies grows by the day.

[@homijbhabha8860]

@@cjclark2002 bruh, the embargo was due to Apartheid.

[@tando6266]

@@cjclark2002 You are apologizing for an embargo of apartheid?!?! Did you remember to email the hermit king and let him know your deep regrets also.

[@robd8577]

Insane political decisions? You really an apartheid supporter?

[@philchristmas4071]

Enjoy learning about the South African military. Here in Orlando Fl. we get tons of tourists and the South Africans are always the most laid back coolest people you can meet.

[@sallyh1480]

YES YOU FINALLY TALKED ABOUT IT. I NEVER FORGOT WHEN I FIRST ASKED LETS GOOOO

[@poisonousbadge126]

Thank you matsimus for covering south african military topics!

[@AlexVostox]

*Don't forget the SIBMAS which is Belgian production based on Ratel. A tough one with more powerful engine and amphibious capabilities. Weirdly the only customer are Malaysians which bought 90mm Cockerill Gun, 20mm Gun, Ambulance and ARV variant for total 186 unit. They're now gradually to be replaced in Malaysian service with DEFTECH AV8*

[@Colinpark]

I crawled around he inside of the one at Pt Dickson, if you like armour and you go to Malaysia, try to get down there to the Museum.

[@arthurchow114]

didnt realise that the sibmas was related to the ratel, although they look exactly alike. never found and source to confirm my suspicions.

[@patriotenfield3276]

@@arthurchow114 SIBMAS is Ratel you order from a British owned Chinese walmart.

[@russellmcphee72]

This is the quickest I have responded to a video. I knew you never did the Ratel before. Thanks mate.

[@quantum340]

First read about this vehicle in the novel 'vortex' . Loved it ever since, alongside the Rooikat, G5 and G6, and Olifant.

[@falanglao01]

Great book! I've read 'Vortex' by Larry Bond several times. I recommend it to AFV / alternate history aficionados. Sort of Tom Clancy style, no wonder, I think they worked together on some novels. There's also another one called Red Phoenix, the setting in Korea.

[@arthurchow114]

absolutely brilliant book. loved it.

[@arthurchow114]

@@falanglao01 yes they did. and red phoenix was the first novel that i read, from larry bond. got me hooked immediately. but i think vortex was a much better book

[@robert-trading-as-Bob69]

Vortex was OK. Larry Bond had our SAAF flying F15 or 16's though, when we flew French Mirages, British Buccaneers and Canberras and the Italian designed Impala.. the only American aircraft used by the SAAF at this time was the Harvard, or Texan AT6. South Africa last used an American jet in 1978, the Sabre.

[@quantum340]

@@robert-trading-as-Bob69 It has been a while since I've read 'Vortex', but I thought that the scene in which two SA pilots fought against four Cuban Migs, the former were flying Mirages.

[@lordcypher7922]

A true workhorse and legend of a vehicle

[@adriancairns34]

Wafer thin Amour but still took out/on Russian tanks... SADF boys you have my utmost respect.. SALUTE

[@tinzi4x4]

It took usually a couple of shots to take out a T55, but the SADF boys stood their ground when they faced such an oponent. I served in '87 & '88 and I was proud of our SADF. But from what I have seen personally and what I have seen on YT, the SADF is not even a shadow from its former. It is not only equipment that makes a force formidable, but discipline, training and good leadership. Well, the russians believe that a fish rots from the head - SANDF would proof this saying true I believe!

[@ANSELAbitsxb]

@@tinzi4x4 Yeah, I watched their recent demo in cape town. It was bad.

[@logicbomb5511]

Proves it not about the Pen thickness of your RHA but the mobility of your fire and movement and the tightness of your OODA loop at command levels!!

[@piotrd.4850]

@@tinzi4x4 As far as I know, this is more of less true for rest of the country.

[@danielbtwd]

Can you imagine the courage to have to drive up to a tank and then shoot it out at point blank. If the ratel got hit by a tank it was game over. There were some rare occasions that a ratel 20mm managed to kill a tank however those men where all killed by another tank coming out from behind the other. Sometimes in that thick bush visability would only be 10m. Sometimes you would be drawing direct fire and not even know where it was coming from. Just the pop pop of rounds flying by. All the soft points of our vehicles were riddled with holes. At some points during our attacks on well dug in and defended brigades we were receiving around 24 tons (1000 rounds) of incoming artillery per hour. Several hours of indirect fire before even making contact. Then Several kms of defence before hitting the HQ and then all hell breaks loose for about an hour before the enemy break. The noise was absolutely incredible. A tank will burn for hours, some we could not even find the turret from the force of the explosion. It was very challenging just to be able to keep the vehicles all in line. Sometimes leading to some very dangerous situations when elements became lost and disorientated in the thick bush. During Hooper we were in the field for 4 months. That's sleeping bag, bivvy and rat packs. Sickness such as hepatitis, malaria and dysentery also hit us hard. We would only stay in an area for a week and then move because after that amount of time we would trample the bush to such an extent that could be noticed from the air. The migs were terrifying.

[@steefs6227]

My father was a driver in the SADF and drove the Ratel 90, Casper, Buffel and Oliphant 1B and G6 Rhino. He was 101bt. And later Koevoet. Okay, to all you "clever" guys out there that keep saying it's not possible. I asked my uncle (my father is deceased) and he said it is, and explained, the reason. My father before joining 101bt he recieved training courses at Pantserskool and recieved training courses on the, at that time two variants, of Oliphant tank and later to a museum in Pretoria drove a Centurion there aswell from Pantserskool. After some time he broke his leg and was discharged from the military. After recovering he enlisted again and decided he wanted to infantry as a driver. He received training on various AFV's and IFV's and APC's among them the Eland (not included in above paragraph) various Ratel variants and Casper variants also the Buffel, Kwêvoël and Yes the G6 Rhino as well even though it was artillery the drivers still took the courses before joining their area of the army. Later he got deployed to South West Africa now Namibia first as part of the logistics then deployed to 101bt when he was driving the Kwêvoël transport variant along with the Casper and Ratel 20 and 90. His section was deployed alongside Koefoet for the time in Namibia and as 101bt but with Koevoet attire and had to take the oath that policeman had to take as koefoet was millitary police. Later when he came back to South Africa he was deployed in the units that kept the riots at bay in Alexandria after which he became a driving instructor himself. So it is possible. Meaning you are eighther ignorant or trolling.

[@johngoosen1962]

Highly unlikely.....

[@steefs6227]

@@johngoosen1962 En hoekom is dit.

[@vvr881]

@@steefs6227 Ratel, Casper en Buffel Yes...was infantry vehicles. Olifant was tank and panser skool. G6 was artillery. No ways he was in all three. That's not how the army worked.

[@steefs6227]

@@vvr881 Well i have his bages from 101, koefoet, and the armor divisions. As later he was also driving instructor . He also did logistics apparently for a time when he was drafted the swithced to instructor courses when he became permanent force. He was also 82 mech. Brig. The artillery badge had a messianic on it. The Panserskool badge from when he was an instructor. He switched units as ge broke his leg. Anyway you have one serial number and that is written inside the all the military attire of my father. I don't know how to actually proove more than that. The berett of pantserskool is black and the motto is Scietia Vires est. The infantry berett is a little faded.

[@steefs6227]

@@vvr881 If he was allive he would have been able to explain it to you but I'm not much knowledgeable in sadf structure as I'm Israeli he was South African. And I'm just stating what he stated.

[@danieferreira9094]

I loved the Ratel. We spent 2 years in Namibia driving round in Ratel 20’s, and felt invincible!!! I loved it!

[@baas3012]

As a South African and a former memder of 61 MEC i can say the ratel was ons of the bestes

[@wynanddewinnaar2217]

My ears are still ringing (tinnitus) from being a gunner on the Ratel 90. Great experience being part of the history of this capable fighting machine. 1SAI mechanised infantry in Tempe Bloemfontein. 🍻

[@MrIwan18]

SA vehicles for service are really amazing✊🏽

[@MarsRonin]

You should read 'Battle on the Lomba' by Dave Mannell. Gives a great account of these vehicles against Cuban regulars including T55's

[@ca9968]

I used to love going to the Armscor Show at Nasrec back when i was a kid...

[@4633-c1t]

I always thought canada should have gone the way of South Africa and south America on armored vehicles as our country honestly cannot afford the small random batches of vehicles we buy as we try to keep up with the Americans and Europe. And for the love of God can we get around to throwing a tow on the lav 6 because everyone else adds them on like candy.

[@christianpethukov8155]

How about a Spike LR??

[@louwtjietsumeb3516]

Proud ...was on training on ratel 1983...gunner...crew commander...driver course

[@paez4779]

South African military was always ahead of their time...

[@truth-Hurts375]

Thank the Israelis for that !!

[@PhansiKhongoloza]

​@@truth-Hurts375not really all credit to Israel as it was a 2 way street.

[@shawndavis2616]

I can't belive these are still around! I remeber reading about them in an old book when I was a kid. They looked badass then, and still do today.

[@glenblignaut9977]

THe Army now has gone to hell with Cuban 'engineers' that used to work on old Soviet Petrol armour and trucks, now 'fixing' our arnmement here lol.. they do fuckall except sell whatever they can and drink themselves silly and smoke marijuana everyday.

[@SparkBerry]

South Africa's domestic arms industry was something to behold and should have been built on post-apartheid. Only problem was, ANC wanted their bribes paid in Euros, and now, our industry is dead. Our defense force hasn't progressed and only gone backwards.

[@unstoppabletigertalukan6710]

The music in the beginning absolutely smacks Thanks for introducing me to it

[@hugoljadas5535]

Oh wow! I remember recommending this in the discord, a great surprise to see a video on it!

[@ElenarMT]

Mad respect for the true South African heroes. I was able to get a ride in one of those things back in the 80s. Damn, it looks like it wafts and those thick wheels cushion impacts... Yeah no, don't be fooled, very tough ride. But great vehicle all round. One that helped fight an asymmetrical war of epic proportions

[@estianburger8709]

Eyyy the man is back

[@gre3nishsinx0Rgold4]

I always love machines from others countries, other than those of the main heavy weights like Russia, China or the US. I just wish we get more machines developed by other countries and companies.

[@ruslankazimov622]

I'm absolutely in love with Swedish tech. Especially their unique Stridsvagn designs. I think they are more brilliant engineers than Germans ... in smaller scale, but lack at funding. Carl Gustaf, Bofors family, Archer Artillery System, JAS 39.

[@smithyboi5338]

Been waiting for this video

[@hijazzains]

Malaysia has the similar SIBMAS..really reliable vehicle.

[@TomorrowWorldStudio]

Love this episode thanks for highlighting SA in such an informative way🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦

[@PhansiKhongoloza]

Wrong flag

[@TomorrowWorldStudio]

@@PhansiKhongoloza what do you mean

[@PhansiKhongoloza]

@@TomorrowWorldStudio simple. Know your history. The Ratel, along with everything else in the country, was developed and built Pre 1994 under a very different government under a very different flag.

[@TomorrowWorldStudio]

@@PhansiKhongoloza I know that, I am old enough to remember being chased by these things, however this is our new flag so not sure what your exact point is.

[@PhansiKhongoloza]

@@TomorrowWorldStudio My exact point is the Ratel, along with everything else one sees in the country, was built and developed by the aBhelungu who flew a different flag from the mandela beach towel. So to claim it under the anc flag is actually cultural appropriation!

[@nomadshieldwind3237]

Dang I love it when you cover South African Vehicles! We don’t get much in the way if publicity regarding our armed forces. Great vid! I cant wait for you to do a vid on the Badger next :D

[@louisduplessis7110]

The Ratel is a Huge legend back home

[@ChrisS-fh7zt]

Always like the 90mm FSV and the 3 Swift armed ATGM carrier version

[@yuno1707]

ah yes Ratel 90 a beautiful vehicle i have it in war thunder and just got the ratel 20 last week its very good

[@jaredweldrick185]

Happy you covered it! Love the one in the museum here in Gauteng thank you!

[@falanglao01]

Great video once again, thx Matsimus! One of my all time favorites. Ratel appears prominently in several movies, e.g. Red Scorpion with Dolph Lundgren, on the Cuban side though. I love the scene when the Ratel 90 blows away the truck.

[@pieterpohl1991]

My brother drove these way back when. You got to stretch the 'a' out tho. "Raaaaaatel"

[@pieterpohl1991]

In fact, "Raaaaatil"

[@tonyaughney8945]

@@pieterpohl1991 I've always heard it pronounced Rawt-ell.

[@madmusial]

Love hearing about the South African vehicles. Thank you

[@Jedi.Toby.M]

Always love a new upload from a truly awesome channel!!

[@ZirkSteyn]

Baie Dankie.

[@MrStarman2010]

Great commentary on a legendary vehicle!

[@asaltycrewman8725]

Smooth musical opening/transition!

[@frednel4326]

Ex South African Defence Force 20mm Ratel gunner from the Angolan bush war era here ✌, I've never seen a ratel break down , that's how reliable these beutifull monsters wer 👍... and it's pronounced as Rah til "Ratel", it's actualy a Afrikaans word lol 🤣👍

[@georgemok2163]

I was trained as a vehicle commander on a Ratel 20, then progressed to Mechanized Sergeant. These are amazing vehicles. I am sure volumes can be written on all the stories. Few non military folks realize, but we would go out on patrol for weeks, so we had to live out of these vehicles as well as fight with them. You should be asking for some stories Matsimus. You introduce the vehicles, sure peeps will want some stories coupled to the vehicle.

[@vehx9316]

"savimbi's pride intensifies"

[@dirckthedork-knight1201]

*Our journey to victory has begun Death to the MPLA!!*

[@randyross5630]

I don't especially like the Video Game Videos, but it makes me like Matsimus more, makes him seem more relatable...

[@_Matsimus_]

I have a life too ya know ;-)

[@randyross5630]

@@_Matsimus_ well that makes one of us. Here is what I am saying, we need way more ICBM and the whole Range to Nuclear Torpedo Protection. From the Ground Level of Mobile Radars, Lasers, and even Artillery Batteries Stuffed with Smart Shells, even Close in Weapons, spread out in 3 groups to triangulate Positions (even with particles spread above cities) and thats Ground Level, than we need a Mid Range, and we already have some of those missiles, even Missiles for F-15s that they can angle all the way up and push it as hard as they can and shoot a certain type of missile into Space and we need way more of those and upgraded, and we need a step further, ICBM type Missiles Loaded with other Missiles to Intercept incoming ICMBs all the way to Space Fighters, similar to the X-37B in a way to intercept the missiles directly in space with Lasers, to Smart Munitions, to Small Nuclear Warheads! And I don't understand why we don't just start blasting people into space and have them slap some metal together because metal welds its together in space by itself, and make a sweet space station so we can get closer to that sweet sweet Space Gold! Out there past Mars in the Asteroid Belt... We need to have a Weapons Race - Space Race with China to Collapse their Economy, or they don't bite in, and we just concrete we are Number 1. I believe being stronger in certain aspects increases the dollars value, because it quells doubt in US.

[@YaMomsOyster]

@@randyross5630 mate, get a hobby!

[@Sajuuk]

@@randyross5630 Holy shit man, take your meds 😳

[@goddepersonno3782]

@@randyross5630 that was a fun read

[@andreasleonardo6793]

Too nice video about Ratel 90 armoury vehicle from excellent specific channel.. Thanks for sharing..friend...as I noted it has excellent Gun- stabilization excellent in clearly explaining all characteristics of this South Africa armoury vehicles producing

[@oliversteward2011]

Fascinating video. Thank you so much for uploading. I've long been interested in South African armoured vehicles, and this has to be the go to source. May I request you make a video on South African infantry weapons at some point in the future. I've recently watched a video on Forgotten Weapons on the 'South African Galils', and wondering if you would like to do a similar video on the history of South African small arms. Once again, a great video. Thoroughly enjoyed watching it. Many thanks.

[@patriotenfield3276]

Thank You Matsimus. Thank Yo so much for Doing on my Favorite SADF vehicle.

[@psychomantis9442]

Due to these vids you've done on South African vehicles, I actually went and picked up a couple copies of that book, and have been interested in reading up on the South African Border War. Great content Matt! Any chance of getting a video going over the Casspir and Badger?

[@AndreasdeV308]

Thanks Matt👍

[@logicbomb5511]

Proves it not about the Pen thickness of your RHA but the mobility of your fire and movement and the tightness of your OODA loop at command levels!!

[@logicbomb5511]

Ya'll get inside them every time!

[@duckman12569]

"the ratel can achieve 120kph unofficially" "can become airborne" "Son, what did you just do with that ve-hicle?" "umm..nothing, sir?" "..you're doing laps"

[@SAPSUBSHAMROCHANNEL]

Excellent video MATT

[@biamboibifuro817]

I love this one. I just noticed, you've not done anything on the AK-47.

[@joshuajoaquin5099]

AKM should one since 47 got replaced quickly

[@TheBikeMechanic]

Ooooo…. Want one… Matsimus you must acquire one of these for me!!! I have thousands of pennies to put towards its purchase!!!!,

[@dariojordaan117]

love the way u prounonce the afrikaans words into english .great video

[@nagasako7]

I feel like this platform is timeless. Just slap on tandem ATGM and your good for another 40 yrs.

[@hanznel8488]

They actually did do this at one point.

[@breakingmoney3077]

Wow, wow,wow,wow. Very good story of this vehicle. Very much loved this. Great vid. Very impressive. They need to definitely build on this platform.

[@informationcollectionpost3257]

Sounds like another great S African vehicle. I would say buy some but you already produce the Canadian LAV in country which d another great wheeled armored vehicle.

[@mohd.iftekharulalamemad7148]

Make more IFV,APC,TOWED ARTILLERY VIDEOS LIKE THIS.NO WONDER I LIKE THIS CHANNEL🖤🖤🖤🖤

[@fakshen1973]

Has the Ratel been tested in any other environments? It was purposed built for southern Africa. But may have other applications. Also Jacque of the Bushvelt (forgive my spelling) is a book about a really scrappy dog in South Africa. I read it once as a kid in England. My cousins from SA left it at my geandparent's home.

[@Militaryheritage]

Cameroon, Djibouti, Ghana, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, Rwanda, Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, Senegal, Yemen and Zambia.

[@johnsmith-ht3sy]

Book is " Jock of the Bushveld"

[@MCTicTac]

No one: .. Me: "I have a D&D character called Ratel" :p

[@admiraljellicoe9268]

Very cool vid about the history of this machine although the music for the out-tro was questionable

[@ognjenbegicevic6298]

Looking forward to sout SA dlc in wargaming Red Dragon so I can test Out these bad boys.

[@Militaryheritage]

You won't be disappointed. 😉

[@thepatriotsrage661]

We gave the Russians and Cubans a mega-hiding using this vehicle at the Lombo River. I think our SADF gained newfound respect after that. We were not to be played with, back then. Now...

[@SA-xf1eb]

SADF vehicles are very interesting.

[@oliverrugg3732]

the angry minibus

[@speartip266]

There is a guy on YT called 'Born to War' (channel name) that has a video of a Ratel using a TOW missile system as well during battle at Cuito Caunavale*

[@dienar3717]

With Ratel 90 we were three in the vehicle only. Lot of space, more like a camper. We were at the flanks when we went into battle formation. Served well, used 90mm shotgun shell to open up a visual tunnel in the thick of the bushes during contact. 32 Bn Ratels took direct hits from mortars on top of front, indenting bit not penetrating as well as RPG direct hit on the front window Melting the glass, deforming the glass centimeters towards the face of the driver but not getting through. The copper slug from the RPG visually embedded in the deformed window. Both instances very close encounters with sure death but nobody was hurt.

[@dockmasterted]

WICKED AWESOME!

[@robbiereyes847]

While in Belgium RATEL has been taken to produce SIBMAS but an ambifia version. Only 2 countries use sibmas. Belgium and Malaysia

[@RoperGaming]

Richard Hammond doesn't believe the honey badger exists.

[@bennyfrancis8767]

The Honeybadger doest believe that Richard Hammond exists 😅💦

[@quagmire5783]

I loved the video, i love the history

[@markloubser2433]

Great vehicle. Loved it offroad. A bastard at speed on tar though, speed sway could kill the unwary......

[@Chibling]

Reminds me of German Puma vehicle. Sd.Kfz. 234

[@paintnamer6403]

I enjoyed this video.

[@dmhounddog]

I had the honor of driving this vehicle many hours… mostly the command ratel

[@josephjordell7923]

Why do I love that vehicle so much?

[@lutin_mi06]

hey matsimus , i have a question about this vehicle : can this thing carry infantry

[@niel9612]

The Ratel 20 can, space is at a premium in the 90

[@paulgladwin2307]

The Ratel 20 carried a crew of 3 (Crew Commander, Gunner and Driver) as well as a section of 8 infantrymen (4 left and 4 right) - and still space for a medic. The Ratel 90 carried the same crew, although the bench on the left was shortened to make space for the extra 90mm ammunition behind the Crew Commander - but was still capable of carrying 6 infantry comfortably and 8 at a squeeze. In Operation Modular, I carried a section of 8 infantrymen plus the Platoon Sergeant on my Ratel 90...

[@lutin_mi06]

@@paulgladwin2307 Thank you for the info Sir.

[@JuanJoseMárquez-b5j]

Fitting for the new DLC south africa that wargame red dragon is going to put

[@Militaryheritage]

Wait till you do a Rooikat and Ratel rush.

[@tankdriver65861]

another good-en matt!

[@Colinpark]

I been inside the Malaysian version called the Sibmas

[@gxcoupe7044]

Jip the good days when there was actually a defense force 🙈

[@tigray7659]

matsimus on your next video could you a video of african nations and there fighter jets.

[@StuartThompson-d1i]

I was Ratel 90 driver for 4SAI/ 62 Mech on Operation Moduler, Angola 1987.

[@gabroy1939]

the ratel vs the cougar i wonder who would win?

[@Homoprimatesapiens]

Would like to know who is the publisher of that book and if it is still available for purchase.