South African armoured and mine-protected vehicle manufacturer BAE Systems Land Systems South Africa (LSSA) is to display the latest model of its RG35 armoured combat vehicle family at the Eurosatory defence exhibition in Paris later this month (June 16 to 20). The new version is the RG35 MIV (Motorised Infantry Vehicle). This is a 4 × 4 vehicle and complements the existing 6 × 6 RG35 IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) and the 4 × 4 RG35 RPU (Recce Patrol Utility) models.

The development of the RG35 MIV completes the RG35 family of vehicles. LSSA describes this new family, developed since 2009, as “modern, multi-role, [with] exceptional balance between protection and mobility [and] designed for various payload and mission scenarios”.

Between them, the three versions can fulfil support, tactical and full combat roles. Support versions are such as logistics, vehicle recovery, engineering and ambulance vehicles. Tactical versions again include ambulance but add utility, reconnaissance (“recce”) and command and control vehicles. Combat versions are armoured personnel carriers and IFVs.

All three members of the RG35 family use the same side-mounted power pack (which can be replaced within two hours). They all also employ the same running gear (axles, struts, wheels, brakes and steering components – all of which are either commercial-off-the-shelf or military-off-the-shelf components) and the same “ancillary assembly” (which houses the fuel tank, all the batteries, all the hydraulic and pneumatic systems) which is protected by ballistic armour which can be scaled from North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Standardisation Agreement (Stanag) 4569 level 1 to level 4. (Level 1 is resistant to 5.56 mm and 7.62 mm ball ammunition, while the much higher level 4 is resistant to 14.5 mm armour piercing incendiary rounds; levels 2 and 3 are in-between and there is also a higher level 5.) In fact, the hull armour for all three models can also be scaled from Stanag 4569 levels one to four. All also have level 4 mine protection.

While each model has its own hull design, all the hulls are of monocoque construction. All can be supplied in semi-knocked down form, for local assembly.

he RG35 MIV can accommodate various types of turret, from remotely-operated weapons stations to two-man turrets. Different internal layouts are available, with space for six to ten personnel. An ambulance version is also available.

In addition to internal stowage space, the RG35 MIV can be fitted with external stowage bins. It can also be equipped with an extendable surveillance mast. The vehicle can be fitted with a climate control and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear protection system, which is located entirely under the armour.

The RG35 MIV has an electrically-operated side door fitted with mine locks and which has an emergency-opening capability, which can be operated both internally and externally. The rear door is in the form of a hydraulically-operated ramp which also has emergency-opening capability and can be used as an escape hatch.

Excluding any turret or weapons station, an RG35 MIV is 5.964 m long, 2.6 m wide and 2.407 m high (although the height can be reduced to 2.250 m for transport purposes). It has a tare (assuming Stanag 4569 level 1 protection) of 14.1 t and a payload of 6.9 t. Gross vehicle mass is 21 t and the volume under armour is 12 m3. Maximum speed is 105 km/h, turning circle is 15 m, step climbing ability is 0.6 m, trench crossing ability is 1.05 m and it has a gradeability of more than 60%

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