Casspir

Reumech OMC Casspir Mk III APC (South Africa)

KEY RECOGNITION FEATURES

• Lower part of hull is Vshaped with upper part of hull sides and rear vertical, single wheel at each end of the vehicle outside of the armour envelope

• Bonnet type engine compartment at the front with horizontal engine louvres with chamfer between sides and top, large bullet-proof windows at front and along sides of hull. The bullet-proof windows along sides towards rear have firing ports below

• Horizontal hull top with forward part armoured and often mounting a 7.62mm machine gun, early models had open roof but late production models had fully enclosed rear troop compartment, twin doors in rear

296

SPECIFICATIONS

Crew: Configuration: Armament: Length: Width: Height: Ground clearance: Weight, combat: Weight, empty: Power-to-weight ratio: Engine:

Maximum road speed: Maximum road range: Fuel capacity: Fording: Vertical obstacle: Trench: Gradient: Side slope: Armour: Armour type: NBC system: Night vision equipment: 2 + 10 4x4 1 to 3 7.62mm MGs 6.87m 2.5m 2.85m 0.41m (axles) 12,580kg 11,040kg 13.51hp/tonne ADE-352T, 6-cylinder diesel developing 170hp at 2,800rpm 90km/hr 850km 220 lit 1.0m 0.5m 1.06m 65% 40% Classified Steel None None

DEVELOPMENT

The original Casspir family of vehicles was developed in the late 1970s but from 1981 production was undertaken by TFM which has since developed the Casspir Mk II and Mk III vehicles of which well over 2,000 have been built. Although designed mainly for internal security operations, it has been used for offensive operations in Southern Africa. A unique feature of the Casspir is that it has been designed to give its crew a high degree of protection against anti-tank mines and for this reason the vehicle has a very high ground clearance with the hull having a V-shape to help deflect the blast from any mines. The large cross-country wheels are outside of the main armour envelope.

There have been three main models of the Casspir, the Mk 1, Mk II and Mk III, all of which have incorporated improvements as a result of operational experience. Wherever possible standard commercial components are used in the construction of the Casspir family of vehicles.

The engine compartment is at the front, commander and driver to the immediate rear with the troop compartment extending right to the rear. The troops are seated five either side facing each other. There are minor differences between production runs and there are a number of local modifications.

Standard equipment includes long range fuel tank, drinking water tank, two spare wheels and tyres and fire extinguishers.

Optional equipment includes floodlights, searchlights and obstacle clearing equipment. As well as the 7.62mm MGs, a rubber bullet launcher can be fitted.

The original manufacturer was TFM but this company has been taken over by Reumech OMC.

VARIANTS

Blesbok, this is a cargo carrier and retains the fully armoured cab. Duiker, this is a 5,000 litre fuel tanker and retains the fully armoured cab. Gemsbok, recovery vehicle with recovery equipment at very rear of hull and fitted with extended armoured cab.

Ambulance, similar to Casspir Mk III ARC but modified for ambulance role. Police, increased visibility. Artillery fire control. Mine clearing, two versions. Mine sensor vehicle. 81mm mortar. 106mm recoilless rifle.

STATUS

Production as required. In service with Angola, India, Namibia, Peru, South Africa and Uganda.

MANUFACTURER

Reumech OMC, Benoni, South Africa.

Above: Casspir Mk III ARC

Top right: Casspir Mk III APC

(Christopher F Foss)

Right: Casspir Mk III APC

297

Reumech OMC RG-12 Patrol APC (South Africa)

KEY RECOGNITION

FEATURES

• Box type hull with sloping windscreen at front, vertical hull sides and rear, horizontal radiator grille in centre of hull front

• Large square windows in front, sides and rear of vehicle that are usually covered by wire mesh screens, two doors in each side of vehicle, one over first road wheel and one between road wheels

• Total of four road wheels which are at extreme ends of vehicle, horizontal roof raised for air conditioning system

298

SPECIFICATIONS

Crew:

2-tf.i Configuration: 4x4 Length: 5.2m Width: 2.45m Height: 2.64m Ground clearance: 0.322m Weight, combat: 9,200kg Weight, empty: 7,420kg Power-to-weight ratio: 18.4hp/tonne Engine: ADE T366 diesel developing 170hp Maximum road speed: IQOkm/hr Range: 1000km Fuel capacity: 250 lit Fording: Not available Vertical obstacle: Not available Trench:

Not available RG-12 APC

Gradient: Side slope: Armour: 50%

40% Classified

Armour type:

Steel NBC system: None Night vision equipment: None

DEVELOPMENT

The RG-12 patrol armoured personnel carrier was developed as a private venture by the TFM company (now part of Reumech OMC) which also manufactures the Casspir (4x4) range of armoured personnel carriers (qv). The first prototypes were completed early in 1990 with first production vehicles being completed later the same year.

The RG-12 is designed mainly for internal security operations and wherever possible standard commercial components are used in the construction of the vehicle. Both 4x4 and 4x2 versions of the RG-12 were manufactured.

The complete powerpack is mounted at the front of the vehicle with the commander being seated on the left and the driver on the right, each being provided with a forward opening door. The three troops are seated either side facing outwards and enter and leave the vehicle via door in the side that can be rapidly opened. In addition there is a door in the rear that gives access to the spare wheel and storage. A tropical roof is fitted and a roof hatch is provided above the commander's seat.

Standard equipment includes an air conditioning system,

powered steering, protection against 7.62mm ball attack, floodlights, flashing beacons, hand held spotlight, siren, public address system, fire extinguishers and drinking water tank. All windows are covered by wire mesh screens and a barricade removal device is provided at the front of the hull.

VARIANTS

There are no variants of the RG-12. Reumech OMC, has manufactured a similar vehicle called the RCV 9. This carries 9 men, including the driver and has a combat weight of 6,900kg. This has been built in production quantities and sold to Colombia as well as within South Africa. It is no longer being marketed.

STATUS

Production. In service in South Africa.

MANUFACTURER

Reumech OMC, Benoni, South Africa.

RG-12 APC

299

KEY RECOGNITION FEATURES

• Box-type hull with sloping nose, flat roof, vertical hull rear, vertical hull sides with top sloping slightly inwards

• Two large road wheels each side with forward-opening door between, two doors rear, one each side of central engine compartment which has louvres in roof and hull rear

• Depending on model, has various types of observation/firing device in hull sides, normally has cupola or turret on forward parl of hull top to rear of commander's and driver's position

300

SPECIFICATIONS

Crew: Configuration: Armament: Ammunition: Length: Width: Height: Ground clearance: Wheelbase: Weight, combat: Weight, unloaded: Power-to-weight ratio: Engine:

Maximum road speed: Maximum range: Fuel capacity: Fording: Vertical obstacle: Trench: Gradient: Side slope: Armour: Armour type: NBC system: Night vision equipment: 1 + 12 4x4 1 x 7.62mm MG 1,000 x 7.62mm 5.65m 2.5m 2m (hull top) 0.32m 3.15m /12,000kg L 9,600kg 17.5hp/tonne Pegaso 6-cylinder turbo-charged inline diesel developing 210hp at 2,100rpm 93km/hr 570km 200 lit 1.1m Not available Not applicable 60% 30% 8mm (maximum)(estimate) Steel None None BLR without armament

T— ^ ^^^ jea£> r& ?3l Eg *,

— n i8s of -

<=a

^\S^ \!S^

DEVELOPMENT

BLR (Blindado Ligero de Ruedas), also known previously as Pegaso BLR 3545, has been designed mainly for use in internal security. Its hull gives the crew complete protection from small arms fire and shell splinters, commander and driver sit front and whole of rear is occupied by troop compartment with exception of engine compartment which is centre of hull at rear. To reduce procurement and life cycle costs, standard commercial components are used in the vehicle wherever possible.

Armament depends on with externally mounted 7 includes ventilation systen role, but typically is one-man cupola .62mm MG. Standard equipment i, choice of manual or automatic transmission, fire suppression system for both engine compartment and wheels, bullet-proof tyres and 4,500kg capacity winch.

Wide range of optional equipment includes smoke/CS gas dischargers, PTO, specialised riot control equipment and various communications systems.

VARIANTS

Manufacturer has suggested alternative weapon systems including 12.7mm MG, 20mm or 25mm cannon and turretmounted 90mm gun. More specialised versions could include ambulance and command.

STATUS

Production as required. In service with Ecuador, Spanish Marines and Guardia Civil.

MANUFACTURER

SANTA BARBARA, Madrid, Spain.

Right: BLR with 7.62mm MG

301