However, funding will be a problem in the short term at least. There is still a requirement for an MBT to replace the ageing Olifants, with sufficient vehicles required for about three battalions. Both of these MBTs are now out of production, although some vehicles could be refurbished or upgraded for the export market.
However, priority funding went to the South African Air Force and Navy and in the end no MBT orders were placed. It was expected that the Olifant would have been replaced by a new MBT some years ago, with customized versions of the now Nexter Systems Leclerc and BAE Systems Global Combat Systems Challenger 2E MBT being shortlisted. This has been upgraded on numerous occasions by the now BAE Systems Land Systems South Africa, with the latest version being the Mk 2 deployed by two squadrons and the earlier Mk 1A being used by other units. The Olifant is actually an upgraded version of the British Centurion tank, which was first shown in 1945. Making its first appearance in Africa, the German Leopard 2A4 MBT is a potential replacement for the currently deployed Olifant MBT used by the South African Armoured Corps. This largest exhibition of its kind in Africa was held this year once again at Air Force Base Ysterplaat from 21 to 25 September 2010.ĭaily live presentations on a special test track proved to be a major draw, with the Leopard 2A4’s excellent mobility in rough terrain clearly impressing the crowd. AAD is a premier event on the international ‘Aviation and Defence’ calendar, as a showcase for civil and military aviation, maritime and land-based Defence technologies.
Marking the African debut of the German Leopard 2A4 Main Battle Tank (MBT), Rheinmetall Defence of Germany took advantage of Africa Aerospace & Defence 2010 (AAD) in Cape Town to put world’s number one MBT through its paces.
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