The ZT-3 anti-tank guided missile was first revealed in 1990 and is a laser beam command-guided Semi-Automatic Command to Line Of Sight (SACLOS) weapon which is tube-launched from a helicopter, ground or vehicle-mounted launcher assembly.

All the gunner has to do is to keep the cross-hairs of his sight aligned on the target until the missile impacts.

After launch, the deviation between the missile and the line of sight is measured by the system with either a goniometer or a laser beam decoder.

The laser receiver in the tail of the missile detects and decodes the pulsed laser commands and feeds the information to the onboard flight control unit which transforms the information into servo commands.

The servos are connected to the control fins at the rear of the missile. Commands from the flight control unit cause the control fins to manoeuvre the missile onto the line of sight. The missile then follows the line of sight until it strikes the target.

Several preproduction ZT-3 anti-tank guided missile Ratel systems were successfully used in combat during the September 1987 Lomba River battles of Operation Modular and the June 1988 Calueque battle destroying at least four T-55 tanks and two BTR-60 APCs. The combination is a new-build Ratel Mk III ICV hull fitted with a turret containing a 7.62 mm self-defence MG, missile fire-control system and surveillance/target acquisition-tracking optics. A three-round box-shaped launcher is mounted above the turret. Reloading is manual through a troop compartment roof hatch and the system can fire and guide two rounds in less than a minute. A total of 12 reload rounds is carried on racks within the troop compartment. The turret can also be fitted to other suitable vehicles.

As previously stated, the current in service model of the ZT-3 is fitted with a single HEAT warhead activated by a contact fuze that will penetrate over 650 mm of RHA.

Currently under development by Kentron is the Ingwe missile which in the past has also been referred to as the ZT-3B. This is fitted with the same HEAT warhead (with the option of a new HEAT warhead) and a nose mounted precursor charge. It is estimated that this warhead will penetrate around 1,000 mm of RHA protected by ERA.

The Ingwe will also feature a new digital autopilot that can receive data download before launch and give improved missile gathering. To allow targets to be engaged at night a Forward Looking Infra-Red (FLIR) passive night sight channel can be provided. The Ingwe has already been ordered by an undisclosed customer.

ZT-3 system can also be fitted with a fully automatic command to line of sight guidance system through the use of a stabilised sight and automatic tracker.

This is the guidance system used on the ZT-3 installation for helicopters. The Rooivalk development helicopter was equipped with this system as was the Polish W-3 Sokol helicopter that was modified by Kentron and called the Huzar. Neither of these systems have so far entered production or service.

In production. In service with South Africa. Offered for export. Ingwe ordered by undisclosed export customer.

6x6 Ratel ICV (three-round turret launcher - South African National Defence Force).