The Comprehensive Guide On Contemporary South African Armoured Vehicles.

★ I should preemptively state that this won't be a true comprehensive guide, as some vehicles were omitted due to a lack of information and sufficient imagery. I'll be mostly focusing on vehicles that were used during the Angolan Border War, as this period of time represented a boom in South African indigenous arms manufacturing and utility. Hope you enjoy!
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★ The Buffel APC Series

Buffel Mk2

★ Necessity is often said to be the mother of all inventions, and indeed this can be said for the broad design philosophies that South Africa implemented throughout her design and production tenure of military vehicles throughout the Cold War. During the Angolan Border Conflict, South Africa had to find ways to combat having to transport troops over long distances, in heavy 'bush' conditions - while mitigating the looming threat of landmines and IEDs. Her research bureaus eventually came up with a unique design for a new Infantry Carrier, using heightened ground clearance and separate crew compartments with a 'V' shaped design - the first ever Mine Protected Personal Carrier was created. Capable of carrying a crew of 11, and employing multiple specialised variants - The Buffel was instrumental in influencing future South African vehicle designs and eventually the rest of the world.

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Ystervark SPAAG

★ I put the Ystervark under the Buffel section as I initially thought it was built upon the same chassis of the Buffel, however that is not the case - and the Ystervark was in fact built upon a Samil 20 truck with mine protection. As the conflict raged on in Angola, South Africa would have to contend with Cuban forces equipped with the latest Soviet MiG fighter bombers. The need for mobile air deterrents was particularly pressing as South Africa was under an arms embargo and could not respond quickly enough with her own aerial assets. Thus the interim solution was equipping the Samil 20 with a 20mm French Auto-cannon, for use as a SPAAG.

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★ The Eland Armoured Car Series

Eland 90

★ Initially a licensed production of the French AML series of Armoured Car, the Eland would see various design iterations and tweaks that would make the French design more suitable for the South African landscape. The specific model above is of the Mk7 design, by this point the vehicle was almost completely overhauled from it's original French specifications, new engine, electrical systems, communication systems, cupola, improved brakes and transmission, and so on. Armed with a 90mm cannon, this small vehicle often found itself facing larger T-54/55 Angolan tanks, yet in the heavy bush conditions of the border, The Eland was always able to outmanoeuvre and flank them.

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Eland 60

★ For direct and indirect fire support, the Eland 60 was armed with a forward facing 60mm mortar. In the mobile background of the Bush War, such small and quick moving vehicles were essential in being able to provide suppressive and direct fire support for accompanying infantry operations.

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Eland 20

★ For infantry support and engaging light targets, the Eland 20 switched it's 90mm for a Denel F2 20mm Auto-cannon. It's duel-feed system allowed it to switch seamlessly between High Explosive rounds and Armour Piercing rounds. This variant however was seen as redundant and production was prioritised for the Eland 60 and 90 respectively.

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★ The Mamba APC Series

Mamba Mk1

★ During the late 1980's the SADF was looking to replace the ageing Buffel, and for internal security purposes - a more urban acclimatised mine protected APC was sought after. Thus the Mamba with an enclosed crew compartment, better crew visibility and superior mobility was created. The platform would be praised for it's crew protection and simplicity.

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Mamba Mk2

★ The Mk2 design would see some minor production improvements and would serve as the basis for a number of specialised export variants.

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Mamba Mk3

★ The Mk3 design saw improvements in the engine and armour capabilities.

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Mamba Mk5

★ The Mk5 and later models such as the Mk7 would see application of interchangeable slat and ERA armour appliques, and more powerful engines. These models are highly successful in the international export market.

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★ The Casspir APC Series

Casspir Mk2

★ Much like the Buffel, the Casspir was one of the first widely adopted MRAP (Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected) APCs. To my understanding the Casspir was mostly designed and adapted for internal security purposes and special operations by the South African Police. In particular they would be used by the special counterinsurgency SAPS unit known as Koevoet, doing long range infiltration operations into Angola, typically with specially modified and up-gunned Casspirs.

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Casspir Mk3

★ Military variants such as the Mk3 had thicker hull plating for added mine protection, a more robust engine and other minor improvements to the wheels and axles. The Casspir was able to traverse an incredible 800km without refuelling.

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Casspir Mk3 Command Variant

★ With such a reliable platform, it came as no surprise that many specialised variants would be introduced alongside the base models. In long range operations, having command and artillery fire control Casspirs were essential to ensure combined arms orders could be carried out quickly and flexibly.

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Casspir Mk3 Mortar Variant

★ A number of Casspirs were refitted as mobile fire support vehicles, whether it was a 81mm mortar or even a 106mm recoilless gun.

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Casspir Mk3 Ambulance Variant

★ Casspirs were also refitted as medical carriers and emergency response vehicles, with space in the back to accommodate stretchers and basic medical equipment. The ones operating in the front lines seldom had the all white livery, sticking to SADF standard brown livery.

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(NOT ENDORSED BY THE SANDF)

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★ The Ratel IFV Series

Ratel ZT-3

★ The Ratel IFV would act as the mainstay fighting and troop ferrying element within the SADFs mechanised forces. Much like the Eland, it had a standard 90mm variant, alongside a 20mm Auto-cannon variant. These vehicles were designed with speed and range in mind, as I'm sure you noticed by now the common design philosophy of wheeled vehicles over tracked within the SADF. The ZT-3 was a unique ATGM carrier variant that carried state-of-the-art indigenous Ingwe missiles. When dealing with superior Soviet tanks, you can see just how devastating the ZT-3 was in action through the link below, a detailed sound bite of a ZT-3 in action against Cuban and Angolan T-55 tanks during the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JnHOS8SIPE

I believe this was the first active combat deployment of the ZT-3, hence why you can hear the crew complain about the missiles going haywire (over time they would be improved). Despite the issues, within 5 minutes the crew destroys 4 Soviet T-55 tanks (1st kill at 1:40 min).
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Ratel 81

★ For shoot and scoot fire support, the Ratel was also fitted with an 81mm and 120mm mortar configuration. An overall reliable fire support carrier.

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★ The Rooikat Wheeled Tank Series

Rooikat 76 Mk1C

★ The pinnacle of South African arms manufacturing, the Rooikat was the SADF's first major attempt at making a mobile yet well armed wheeled tank. A vehicle designed to outmanoeuvre its foes on the flanks before devastating them with it's 76mm high velocity cannon. With fantastic fire control systems and mobility, the Rooikat excels in the fighting climates of Southern Africa. The Mk1C represents one of the four initial prototypes built.

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Rooikat 76 Mk1D

★ The mainstay variant amongst the current SANDF, the Mk1D represents all the lessons learnt during the Bush War - Modernised FCS, more powerful engine, and overhauls with even minor changes such as the placement of the smoke launchers - to prevent them from getting damaged when driving through thick vegetation, common on the bushveld. Perfect for urban and bush combat.

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Rooikat 105

★ Not officially adopted nor made outside of a limited pool of demonstration models. The Rooikat 105 as the naming convention suggests, swapped the 76mm gun for a more modern GT7 105mm gun and advanced FCS. If adopted the SANDF would be able to effectively deal with any neighbouring armour threats, but as it is primarily a peacekeeping force, such a model is not necessary.

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MTTD

★ The Medium Turret Technology Demonstrator or MTTD was a test-bed showcase, arming a Rooikat with a modern remote controlled turret, fitted with a 105mm or 120mm auto-loading cannon. The system would also have a modern APS to thwart anti-tank missile threats. It's a cool novelty but realistically the SANDF would never adopt such a platform due to high costs and maintenance demands.

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Rooikat ZA-35 SPAAG

★ One of the few SPAAG conversions of the Rooikat, the ZA-35 was armed with twin Lyttleton Engineering M-35 35mm auto-cannons alongside an advanced FCS and passive target acquisition system. Firing 1100 rounds a minute, it would be highly effective against medium to low range aerial threats.

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(NOT ENDORSED BY THE SANDF)

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★ The G6 Rhino

★ During the Bush War, the SADF struggled to find ways to integrate their mobile forces with artillery support as they relied on older towed systems. The towed G5 155mm guns they had in service were excellent but still lacked the necessary mobility to be truly effective in the context of the mechanised nature of the Bush War. Thus using the G5 as the main armament for a new SPG design, the 6x6 wheeled G6 Rhino was created. With a 700 km road range, cross-terrain capabilities and a 180 degree rotating turret, the Rhino proved to be an invaluable asset to the SADF during it's late deployment. An incredible fact is of three initial G6 prototypes driving on their own power from South Africa some 2500km to Angola where they conducted successful fire missions, before returning back to South Africa on the same 2500km journey.

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★ The Bateleur FV2

★ Alongside it's conventional artillery needs, the SADF quickly realized how devastating and cost effective MRLS systems such as the Soviet made BM-21 were and sought to replicate it's design. Initially the SADF copied the design by mounting indigenous and captured BM-21 rocket racks on light trucks and designated them as the Valkiri MRLS. The Bateleur was a more standardized design, and better protected as it was built upon a mine-resistant chassis - It carried a 40 rocket salvo of 127mm rockets, although it could also use readily captured Soviet 122mm rockets.

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★ The Olifant MBT Series

Olifant Mk1A

★ Although heavily reliant upon it's wheeled configuration vehicles, the SADF had a large stockpile of refurbished British Centurion tanks, due to it's commonwealth association. Under an international arms embargo and a lack of spare parts, these tanks quickly became relegated to reserve roles while the SADF sought to other means to modernise and procure spare parts for the fleet. Through South Africa's close ties with Israel alongside other black-market dealings, she was able to establish her own domestic production base to build more modernised Centurions - now designated the Oilifant. The Mk1A had an improved turbocharged diesel engine, a transmission adopted from the M60 Patton tank and a GT-7 105mm cannon.

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Olifant Mk1B Optimum

★ The Mk1B visually is completely different from it's predecessor due to it's newly integrated passive composite armour package, this system was entirely modular and greatly bolstered the protection of the tank against HEAT projectiles. The tank also received a revamped FCS, commander cupola, changes to the road wheels, a new V12 turbo-charged diesel engine, new communication systems and a myriad of other changes. However the tank shown above is in fact a further derivative of the Mk1B, known as the Mk1B Optimum. The biggest change is the new turret, which was lighter and fitted with modern ceramic composites. This design however would never be adopted.

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Olifant Mk2A

★ The current and most modernised of all the Olifant variants, the Mk2A represents the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the South African arms industry. Equipped with a modern and modular composite armour system, improvements to it's mobility systems and a modern FCS with hunter-killer capabilities. Despite dwindling budgets in her Defence Force spending, the Olifant Mk2 is the success story you would never expect contextual to the socio-politcal situation of modern South Africa.

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It's 2:33 AM, I Want To Sleep

I can't tell you how much I love Plutia from the Neptunia franchise. I want to examine her deep purple eyes up close, comfort her with all of my being, run my fingers through her soft yet perfect-seeming hair. I want to caress her whole body, not leave every centimetre untouched, massage her sweet head, care for her cheeks, touch and admire her toes and fingers while protecting her sacred legs with all my strength and dignity. How I wish to have a single glimpse of the goddess Plutia before my death, and store that deep in my mind to revoke at the moment of life's end to depart in bliss. Every time I just think of Plutia, if I haven't averted the sight of this goddess, I am filled with eternal happiness and contentment in all ways, so that even in the most difficult times of my life I have a reason to keep going. Every night I lie on my Plutia body pillow, face crying with joy as I replay scenarios of how I would exchange words with my eternal Plutie. I dream of her with her hands in mine, sitting on a bank of our city's hill, hidden under the night starry sky, our faces close, her eyes closed as I reach for a tender, protective kiss. Every day I step out of my bed just for Plutia. Every day I can't think of anything but Plutia. Every day I live only for Plutia. Come into my care, into my arms, I will heal you, I will take care of you, I will guarantee to fight for you with all my willpower and vitality until my last breath. I love you Plutia!!

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Revenge, lust, ambition, pride, and self-will are too often exalted as the gods of man's idolatry; while holiness, peace, contentment, and humility are viewed as unworthy of a serious thought. For I am no ordinary man, all these machinations of the ego do little to dwell on me, for I have found Plutia, and like the north star above - she guides me to the oasis of paradise, eternally.

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[Akira Nishikiyama]

I hear people whispering from behind my door

[Akira Nishikiyama]

It's a guide alright

[Trademark!]

one of the guides of all time

[Akira Nishikiyama]

Just doing my part as a Terraria enjoyer

[Bear]

*My 2x copper* I agree, This is not the usual content for this Guides of Terraria. That said I will alow it. As a terraria player I can say I did not know any of this.

Thanks
Bear

[Akira Nishikiyama]

Don't worry too much about trivial details like that

[Azure]

hey pal uhh you might wanna check how old that anime girl you have there is...

[Akira Nishikiyama]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARTkqMmEz-E

[Sir Tibia The 1th]

bruh

[Akira Nishikiyama]

No problem, hope you overcome your obstacles