OTT Technologies, a South African company that specializes in the refurbishment and upgrading of military vehicles, is set to deliver a batch of remanufactured Ratels to an African military. The vehicles were sourced from OTT stock and have undergone a comprehensive seven-month rebuild and refurbishment process.
According to defenceWeb, the original main Ratel components, including the engine, gearbox, transfer case, and suspension, have been fully reconditioned by accredited local suppliers. New shock absorbers have also been fitted. In addition, many other systems have been replaced, including the pneumatics, piping, cabling, electrical system, and braking system. The hulls have been sandblasted, inspected for cracks, and repainted inside and out. New tires with run-flat inserts have also been fitted.
With the smaller and lighter engine and gearbox, OTT Solutions was able to add more armor to the Ratel, elevating its protection level to NATO STANAG Level 2 all around. The new sighting system includes day and night capabilities, with a stabilised commander’s sight featuring a day camera, thermal imager, and laser rangefinder, and a gunner’s sight with a day camera, thermal camera, and laser rangefinder. Other enhancements include a new pneumatic system, central tire inflation system (CTIS), and fire extinguishing system.
OTT Technologies has years of experience remanufacturing Ratels and other military vehicles. The company is also able to perform upgrades on various different platforms. In addition to the Ratel SLEP upgrade, OTT Technologies also offers a range of other products, including cash in transit vehicles, mine protected vehicles, light armored vehicles, and crowd control vehicles.
The delivery of the remanufactured Ratels to the African military is a significant milestone for OTT Technologies. It demonstrates the company’s expertise in the refurbishment and upgrading of military vehicles, and it is a testament to the company’s commitment to providing its customers with the highest quality products and services.
Last year, South Africa’s OTT Technologies, LMT Products and ADG Mobility successfully completed a merger, and becoming the OTT Group.
The merger is strategically placed to deliver a broad range of products, and bring about branding and structural changes in future. In 2020, South African armoured vehicle designer and manufacturer OTT acquired LMT, which has been in business rescue since September 2019, following Denel’s loss of control of the company.
The Ratel is an armored fighting vehicle that was developed in South Africa in the 1970s. It is a versatile vehicle that can be used for a variety of missions, including infantry transport, fire support, and reconnaissance. The Ratel is well-protected against small arms fire and artillery shrapnel, and it can also withstand the blast from a mine.
The remanufactured Ratels that OTT Technologies is delivering to the African military have been upgraded with a number of new features, including a new engine, a new sighting system, and additional armor. These upgrades will make the Ratels more effective in combat and will extend their service life.
The delivery of the remanufactured Ratels is a significant boost for the African military. It will provide the military with a fleet of modernized vehicles that are better equipped to meet the challenges of modern warfare.
The company also purchases hundreds of surplus South African military vehicles, refurbishes them, and sells them. Some of these vehicles are modified for different roles, like the Hunter 4×4 patrol and reconnaissance vehicle, which is based on a Samil 20 driveline.
OTT Technologies is a leading provider of refurbished and upgraded military vehicles. The company’s expertise and commitment to quality make it a trusted partner for military forces around the world.
In addition to the Ratel, OTT Technologies offers other mine-protected vehicles like the Puma M26, Puma M36, and LM13. They also provide products such as the Bulldog M34 security vehicle, manual turrets, MAN truck bodies, security/cash-in-transit vehicles, and remanufactured Casspirs, Ratels, and Samils.