Rwanda Ratel

Rwanda is known to have procured 35 Ratel Infantry Fighting Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) from South Africa in 2007, all are believed be used examples previously in service with the South African army [1].

In late August 2013 a number of Rwandan army Ratels were photographed deploying to the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following allegations that DRC forces had fired upon Rwandan territory whilst engaging rebels forces [2].

The main armament of these Ratels is covered in the photographs, however the author assesses that these vehicles have been fitted with BAU-23x2 remotely controlled weapon station [3] [4].  As South Africa has never operated this version it is unclear if this represents the delivery configuration or a later upgrade.

Notes

[1] SIPRI Arms Transfers Database http://sipri.org (accessed 06/01/2014)
[2]DR Congo unrest: Rwanda condemns 'bombing' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-23882094 (accessed 07/01/2014)

[3] Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau http://www.morozov.com.ua/eng/body/bau23.php (accessed 06/01/2014)

[4] This configuration was also selected by Jordan, reportedly passing on a number of these vehicles to Yemen