Olifant | |
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![]() Olifant Mk.2 Tank | |
Type | Main battle tank |
Place of origin | United Kingdom/South Africa |
Service history | |
In service | 1976–present |
Wars | |
Production history | |
No. built | 224 |
Specifications | |
Mass | 57 long tons (58 t)[1] |
Length | Hull only 24 ft 9.5 in (7.557 m)[1] With gun forward 32 ft 3 in (9.83 m)[1] |
Width | 11 ft 1 in (3.38 m) with side plates 10 ft 9 in (3.28 m) without side plates[1] |
Height | 9 ft 7.75 in (2.94 m)[1] |
Crew | 4 (commander, gunner, loader, driver) |
Armour | 51–152 mm (2.0–6.0 in) |
Main armament |
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Secondary armament | Co-axial machine gun .30 cal |
Engine |
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Transmission |
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Suspension |
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Ground clearance | 1 ft 8 in (0.51 m)[1] |
Maximum speed |
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The Olifant (Afrikaans for Elephant) is the primary main battle tank of South Africa. It was developed from the British Centurion tank since 1976. These tanks were heavily redesigned and rebuilt by South Africa since 1976 with some help from Israel. The Olifant is considered the best indigenous tank design on the African continent. Although based on a Centurion tank hull, it has a locally produced gun, power pack, transmission, tracks, wheels and fire control system and thus, at least the Olifant Mk.2 can be seen as almost a new tank.