BTW, the engine, with only 280 HP is more than enough on a Ratel. 280 doesn't sound like much, but take the vehicles' relatively light weight into consideration. This isn't a tracked (which takes more HP) vehicle or Tank with heavy armor. It's speed is its greatest defense...that and the fact that it is super quiet for a diesel. The SA forces snuck up on the terrs quite frequently. And then POW! without warning their world was turned upside down. Another vehicle used during angola was the Casspir
http://www.globalsecurity.org/milita...sa/casspir.htm
apologies, I mentioned earlier that the USMC bought Ratels....I got it messed up. I must have been reading this:
http://www.strategypage.com/gallery/...2004102421.asp http://www.defendamerica.mil/article.../a101503g.html