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Background  —  Armoured Patrol Vehicle  Alternative  —  RG-32

Note: The RG-32 was not a candidate for the APV contest  –  the RG-32 was mentioned in other sources and is included for completeness.

The South African RG-32 Scout is an outgrown of the in-service Nyala route-prover. In contrast to the ‘add- on’ approach of the G-wagon, RG-32s inherit the mine proof hull of the Nyala. [1] Where these types differ is in the upper body work – the RG-32 having four conventional doors and fewer  armour windows. RG-32s also have 2 roof hatches instead of  one.

Athough a RG-32 looks like an SUV,  its welded-steel monocoque body makes it both mine- and  bullet-resistant. Armour protects the crew and engine  –  exterior fuel tanks are designed  to blow clear  in the event of  a mine.  Likewise, axles and wheels are semi-expendable – mine blast will blow these components free but the simple elliptical-sprung suspension can be reattached to the vehicle in one hour.

BAE Land Systems OMC [2]  RG-32M1  —  Specifications   Complement:   1+10 as troop carrier / 1+4 for patrol   Powerplant:     135kW (100hp) 3.2 litre 6-cyl Steyr M16TCA   turbo diesel  (or  3.7 litre VM Motori SpA)   Transmission:   3-speed automatic (Chrysler)   Max speed:   120 km/h / 0-80 km/h 25 seconds   Protection:     (ballistic) 7.62x39mm AK, 5.56x45mm NATO   (landmine) single TM-57 / anti-personnel   Usable payload:   1600 kg (usable payload)

Mechanically, the RG-32 is closely related to the Nyalas. The suspension units mount onto sub-frames attached to the hull (making it a semi-monocoque of sorts). The diesel engine and 4-wheel drive are reversions to the ancestral form (the original RG-32s  for police work were 2x4 and gasoline-engined). The new RG-32M1 can be thought of as a Nyala with better access/egress for dismounts, but retaining off- road performance while protecting against  mines and  rifle rounds.

[1] BAE Land Systems OMC describes the RG-32M1 as a “mine-hardened patrol vehicle” designed to survive the blast from a single anti- tank mine (Russian TM-57 equivalent to 7 kg of TNT) under any wheel.  By comparison, a Nyala can withstand two TM-57s (presumably because the hull is stiffer without door cut-outs) and the larger Casspir APC will survive triple-stacked TM-57s. ‘As is’, the RG-32 armour can stop Kalashnikov or 5.56mm rounds. ‘Add-on’ applique armour brings protection up to proof against 7.62mm armour-piercing rounds. [2] South Africa’s Reumech OMC was taken over by Alvis, Alvis OMC was later bought out by BAE. The vehicle was developed in 1992.