{"id":66598,"date":"2026-08-08T22:05:57","date_gmt":"2026-08-08T20:05:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.outono.net\/elentir\/?p=66598"},"modified":"2026-08-08T22:13:29","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T20:13:29","slug":"a-close-up-view-of-a-spanish-army-rg-31-mk5e-nyala-mrap-armored-vehicle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.outono.net\/elentir\/2026\/08\/08\/a-close-up-view-of-a-spanish-army-rg-31-mk5e-nyala-mrap-armored-vehicle\/","title":{"rendered":"A close-up view of a Spanish Army RG-31 Mk5E Nyala MRAP armored vehicle"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>At the end of May, on Armed Forces Day in Vigo, I had the opportunity to take many photos and videos that I have not yet published.<!--more--><\/p>\n<p><rel><a href=\"https:\/\/www.outono.net\/elentir\/2026\/05\/26\/the-military-vehicles-on-display-in-vigo-to-mark-spanish-armed-forces-day\/\">The military vehicles on display in Vigo to mark Spanish Armed Forces Day<\/a><\/rel><br \/>\n<rel><a href=\"https:\/\/www.outono.net\/elentir\/2026\/05\/01\/the-rg-31-nyala-armored-ambulance-donated-by-spain-to-ukraine-and-its-current-appearance\/\">The RG-31 Nyala armored ambulance donated by Spain to Ukraine and its current appearance<\/a><\/rel><\/p>\n<p>Now in August, when there is usually less military activity, I will take the opportunity to publish some of that material. I will start with <strong>the RG-31 Mk5E Nyala armored personnel carrier<\/strong> displayed by the 7th Field Artillery Group (GACA VII) of the 7th Brigade \"Galicia\" (BRILAT) of the Spanish Army, based in Figueirido, Pontevedra.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Un MRAP RG-31 Mk5E Nyala del Ej\u00e9rcito Espa\u00f1ol por dentro y por fuera\" width=\"665\" height=\"374\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/gKATMikDnPo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>The RG-31 Mk5E Nyala (you can see it inside and in motion above) is a vehicle manufactured by BAE Systems Land Systems OMC in South Africa.<\/strong> It is a 4x4 vehicle, 6.4 meters long, 2.47 meters wide, and 2.63 meters high.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55451283810_d71e136020_o.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55451283810_91b734cb4b_z.jpg\" style=\"width:100%; height:auto; border:0px;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>The vehicle weighs 13,940 kg and has a payload of 3,060 kg.<\/strong> In this photo of the left side of the vehicle, you can see a black box with its specifications (click on the images to enlarge them; they are very high resolution).<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55451284390_d3a33351cf_o.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55451284390_70347d85bc_z.jpg\" style=\"width:100%; height:auto; border:0px;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>In 2007 Spain acquired 150 RG-31s \u200b\u200bof a Spanishized version of the Mk5 variant, designated Mk5E.<\/strong> Of the 150 units acquired, 85 are the personnel carrier variant, 10 are the ambulance version and 5 are the command post version.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55450889641_a5b3ef4a47_o.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55450889641_7a242f0f69_z.jpg\" style=\"width:100%; height:auto; border:0px;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>The vehicles were assembled in Spain by General Dynamics Santa B\u00e1rbara Sistemas<\/strong> at its factory in Alcal\u00e1 de Guada\u00edra (Seville), using materials shipped from South Africa.<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.outono.net\/elentir\/2026\/05\/01\/the-rg-31-nyala-armored-ambulance-donated-by-spain-to-ukraine-and-its-current-appearance\/\">A Spanish RG-31 ambulance version was donated to Ukraine in March 2022<\/a>, where it was fitted with cage armor providing some protection against RPG-type rocket-propelled grenades.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55449912922_9fb71840d8_o.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55449912922_7661d7fd8d_z.jpg\" style=\"width:100%; height:auto; border:0px;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>The RG-31 Mk5E is equipped with a 6.7-liter, 6-cylinder Cummins QSB diesel engine<\/strong>, mounted at the front of the vehicle. It has a 5-speed automatic transmission, a top speed of 98 km\/h, a range of 70 km, and the ability to climb gradients of up to 60%.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55449912632_7da13149db_o.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55449912632_63b74fb41d_z.jpg\" style=\"width:100%; height:auto; border:0px;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>The vehicle shown in these photos is the command version<\/strong>. The personnel carrier version has space for nine occupants (a vehicle commander, a driver, a turret operator, and six soldiers). The command version has space for six occupants: a vehicle commander, a driver, and four crew members in the rear. It has seats on the left side of the rear compartment and work tables on the right.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55451283860_bd4d207398_o.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55451283860_bc03658e96_z.jpg\" style=\"width:100%; height:auto; border:0px;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>As is typical of MRAP vehicles, it's a high-profile vehicle with a small interior<\/strong>, since space is prioritized for occupant protection. The sound is literally that of a truck, as you can hear in the video I've included at the beginning.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55451283785_5539f22744_o.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55451283785_d738f8ba01_z.jpg\" style=\"width:100%; height:auto; border:0px;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>The RG-31 on display in Vigo features a Mini Samson RCWS remote-controlled turret<\/strong>, manufactured by the Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. It is equipped with a 12.7 mm Browning M2HB heavy machine gun and a 400-round ammunition box, located on the left side.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55451006183_7245030dfb_o.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55451006183_a4e9ac0e9d_z.jpg\" style=\"width:100%; height:auto; border:0px;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>In front of the machine gun, we can see a rotating beacon<\/strong>, used to provide better visibility of the vehicle while driving on the road. In the ambulance version, in addition to this rotating beacon, the vehicle also incorporates an emergency siren, located just behind it.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55451005643_3da36e8331_o.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55451005643_fc530b43be_z.jpg\" style=\"width:100%; height:auto; border:0px;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>The electro-optical systems of the Mini Samson RCWS turret, located to the right of the machine gun, are very sophisticated<\/strong> and include a high-resolution day camera, an infrared thermal camera (for low visibility conditions) and a laser rangefinder.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55451052844_8352bb1d5d_o.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55451052844_b3433629d9_z.jpg\" style=\"width:100%; height:auto; border:0px;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>The RG-31 has an electric winch on its front<\/strong>, for self-recovery and assistance tasks in difficult terrain.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55450889966_1272635115_o.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55450889966_e912a93aac_z.jpg\" style=\"width:100%; height:auto; border:0px;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>The cabin is equipped with air conditioning and heating<\/strong>, so that the occupants can withstand different types of weather environments inside a vehicle that is not exactly known for having ventilation openings while driving.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55449912537_67f4e12447_o.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55449912537_2321cec641_z.jpg\" style=\"width:100%; height:auto; border:0px;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>The vehicle's roof has two observation hatches at the rear<\/strong>, which also serve as emergency evacuation hatches. Here we see one of these hatches closed (on the right) and the other open (on the left).<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55451052854_b5c528f4f3_o.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55451052854_eec9e64ee2_z.jpg\" style=\"width:100%; height:auto; border:0px;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>The driver's and commander's doors of the vehicle are equipped with gas cylinders<\/strong>, in order to facilitate their opening due to the weight of the armor.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55450889506_f14efe94a2_o.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55450889506_41176301a9_z.jpg\" style=\"width:100%; height:auto; border:0px;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>The rear of the vehicle has a wide door that opens to the right<\/strong> to allow entry to the rear compartment.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55451052539_3f4029b047_o.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55451052539_44a14ded40_z.jpg\" style=\"width:100%; height:auto; border:0px;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Here we see the interior of the rear compartment.<\/strong> On the left we can see the screen and the machine gun turret controls.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55451283915_f9dbf819b9_o.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55451283915_260c30d7f3_z.jpg\" style=\"width:100%; height:auto; border:0px;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>All the vehicle's windows are armored<\/strong>, which explains their great thickness. The vehicle has armor plates to protect its crew, and its monocoque design is engineered to withstand landmine blasts and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).<\/p>\n<p><strong>You can see more photos of this vehicle on<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/elentir\/albums\/72177720335055998\/\" target=\"_blank\">my Flickr account<\/a> and in the following slideshow. The photos were taken especially with model enthusiasts in mind:<\/p>\n<p><a data-flickr-embed=\"true\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/elentir\/albums\/72177720335055998\" title=\"MRAP RG-31 Mk5E Nyala del Ej\u00e9rcito Espa\u00f1ol\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55451052644_e231449918_z.jpg\" width=\"665\" height=\"443\" alt=\"MRAP RG-31 Mk5E Nyala del Ej\u00e9rcito Espa\u00f1ol\"><\/a><script async src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>At the end of May, on Armed Forces Day in Vigo, I had the opportunity to take many photos and videos that I have not yet published.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[19630,15961,11544],"tags":[17573,5831,10095,7981,10557],"class_list":["post-66598","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-1a-plana-defense-eng","category-bloque-6-english","category-army","tag-brigade-galicia-vii-brilat","tag-browning-m2","tag-grupo-de-artilleria-de-campana-vii-gaca-vii","tag-rg-31-nyala","tag-spanish-army"],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-08-16 00:53:09","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.outono.net\/elentir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66598","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.outono.net\/elentir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.outono.net\/elentir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.outono.net\/elentir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.outono.net\/elentir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=66598"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.outono.net\/elentir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66598\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.outono.net\/elentir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=66598"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.outono.net\/elentir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=66598"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.outono.net\/elentir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=66598"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}