Bosvark SPAAG

Republic of South Africa (1991) Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun – ~36 Built “Bosvark” The African Bushpig The Bosvark takes its Afrikaans name from the African Bushpig, which is armed with an impressive set of tusks for digging up roots and to protect itself against predators. Like its namesake, the Bosvark self-propelled anti-aircraft gun (SPAAG) evolved to …

Ystervark SPAAG

Republic of South Africa (1984) Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun – ~70 Built “Ystervark” The African Porcupine The Ystervark takes its Afrikaans name from the South African or ‘Cape’ porcupine. The world’s largest porcupines and an animal with a strong body and protected by an impressive array of spines to defend itself against predators a vehicle named …

Mamba Mk2 and 3

Republic of South Africa (1995) Mine Protected Vehicle / Armored Personnel Carrier – 582 Built The Mamba Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) is one of several South African Mine Protected Vehicle (MPV) vehicles that have inspired the modern enclosed V-shaped Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles used by Western armies today. The Mamba was designed and produced …

Buffel APC/MPV

Republic of South Africa (1977) Mine Protected Vehicle / Armored Personnel Carrier – 2,985 Built “Buffel” The African Buffalo After the Hippo APC, the Buffel was the second-ever mass-produced V-shaped hull, open-topped, Mine Protected Vehicle (MPV) / Armored Personnel Carrier (APC). It was made and used by the South African Defense Force (SADF) at a time …

Eland Armoured Car

Republic of South Africa (1962) Armored Car – 1,600 Built “Eland” The African Antelope The Eland armored car, more affectionately known by its nickname, “Noddy Car”, (with reference to the popular Noddy in the Toyland TV program of the time) takes its Afrikaans name from the African Eland, the largest antelope in the world. Similar …

Tank Technology Demonstrator (TTD)

Republic of South Africa (1992) Main Battle Tank – 1 Built “Tank Technology Demonstrator” The Tank That Could Have Been Years of technological development in South Africa have culminated in a locally-built prototype Main Battle Tank (MBT) called the ‘Tank Technology Demonstrator’ (TTD). As there was no perceived external threat the TTD served as a …

Bateleur FV2

 Republic of South Africa (1989) Multiple Rocket Launcher – 25 Built “Bateleur” The African Bird of Prey The Bateleur FV2 takes its name from a mid-sized eagle native to the open savannah and woodlands of Sub-Saharan Africa. The Multiple Rocket Launcher (MRL) is aptly named as it was built to operate in the same environment. …

Olifant Mk2 Main Battle Tank

Republic of South Africa (2005) Main Battle Tank – 26 Built “Olifant” The African Elephant Mk2 The Olifant Mk2 takes its Afrikaans name from the African Elephant. The Elephant is the largest land animal and, conversely, the Olifant Main Battle Tank (MBT) is aptly named as it is the heaviest military vehicle in service with …

Badger

Republic of South Africa (2018) Infantry Combat Vehicle – 22 Built “Badger” – The Modern African Bushfighter   South Africa has a long tradition of designing highly mobile wheeled armored vehicles such as the Casspir, Ratel, Rhino and Rooikat. The terrain and climate in the region, as well as the strategic defence needs of South Africa, …

Rooikat

Republic of South Africa (1989) Armored Car – 242 Built “Rooikat” – The African Caracal The Rooikat armored car takes its Afrikaans name from the African Caracal (a type of wild cat). Similar to its namesake, the Rooikat armored car is fast and nimble, being used by the South African Defence Force (SADF) and its …

Olifant Mk1B Main Battle Tank

Republic of South Africa (1991) Main Battle Tank – 44 Built “Olifant” The African Elephant Mk1B The Olifant Mk1B Main Battle Tank (MBT) takes its Afrikaans name from the African Elephant. The Olifant is the largest land animal and in a similar vein the Olifant MBT is the heaviest military vehicle in the then South …

Olifant Mk1A Main Battle Tank

Republic of South Africa (1983) Main Battle Tank – 153 Built “Olifant” The African Elephant The Olifant Mk1A Main Battle Tank (MBT) takes its Afrikaans name from the African Elephant. The Olifant is the largest land animal and thus, the Olifant MBT is aptly named as it was the heaviest military vehicle in the then …

Casspir

Republic of South Africa (1979) Mine Protected Vehicle – 2,800+ Built Koevoet Casspir APC fighting group on patrol in Angola, 1984 – With permission from J. Durand The African Mine Tamer The Casspir Mine Protected Vehicle (MPV) is considered by many to be the father of all modern enclosed V-shaped monocoque hulled Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected …

G6 Rhino

 Republic of South Africa (1981) Self-Propelled Howitzer – 145+ Built “Rhino”, the African Long Range Brawler The G6 Rhino is named after the indigenous African Rhinoceros, an animal which is massive in size and extremely powerful stationary and even more so when charging a threat. Armed with a long protruding horn on its snout, a rhino …

Ratel

 Republic of South Africa (1975) Infantry Combat Vehicle – 1,400+ Built “Ratel”, the African Bush Fighter The Ratel Infantry Combat Vehicle (ICV) takes its Afrikaans name from the South African honey badger. This animal, despite its small size, is a fierce creature which can absorb a large amount of physical damage as well as dish …