EE-3 Jararaca

EE-3 Jararaca
Ecuadorian Army EE-3
Type	armoured car
Place of origin	Brazil
Specifications
Weight	5.8 t
Length	4.16m
Width	2.23 m
Height	1.56 m
Crew	3
Armor	steel
Main armament	1 x 20-mm Rh202 autocannon
Secondary armament	1 x 12.7mm machinegun
Engine	Mercedes-Benz OM 314A diesel 120 hp
Suspension	4x4
Operational range	700 km
Speed	100 km/h

The EE-3 Jararaca is a four-wheeled armored scout car developed and manufactured by Brazilian company Engesa and in use by the Brazilian and other armies. It is named after the jararaca, a South American venomous pit viper.

Brazil was looking for a replacement for their ageing fleet of M8 Greyhound which dated back to the Brazilian Expeditionary Force that fought in Italy during World War II. The vehicle was developed at the end of the 1970s. It went into commercial production in 1980. It was initially intended for use in reconnaissance and patrolling but other variants were also developed, some fitted with anti-tank or anti-aircraft guided missiles. It was purchased by the Brazilian armoured forces but was also exported to a number of African and Latin American countries.

The driving compartment is located in the front, combat compartment in the middle, and the engine compartment is placed at the rear. It is operated by a crew of 3: driver, commander, and signaller-observer. The armored hull is protected by multi-layer welded armour, consisting of two layers of steel. The driving compartment is fitted with three periscopes. Driver access to his compartment is through a hatch in the roof. The commander's turret is placed behind the driving compartment to the right side and is also fitted with three periscope observation devices. The turret is equipped with a 20mm autocannon and a 12.7mm machinegun, both of which can be fired from inside the turret. The signaller's-observers seat is placed to the left of the commander's turret and has its separate hatch.