Why choose this SA-built armoured vehicle ?

In one of the local newspapers today it was reported that the US Army ordered 148 RG-31 SA-built armoured vehicles.

See www.sabcnews.co.za... for a similar article.



The company that build these vehicles is "Land systems OMC" see www.baesystemsomc.co.za...

I find it pretty amazing that the US Army would buy this from a "3d world country" like RSA ?? Is it perhaps due to be used in Irak? Any comments?

I don't know if this is that case, but SA has built some new military vehicles recently with increased efficiency against mines and road-side-bombs. So I think it is for sunni triangle and maybe also for testing. If it prooves to be good enough the Americans will probably design or license some by themselves.

[edit on 25-2-2005 by longbow]

I would not care if they are purchased from Russia. AS long as our guys are safe,

South Africa a third world country? Surely not. Have I missed something during my travels there?

True the townships are appalling, but even they are getting better.

Another thing. South Africa produces some of the best artillery pieces in the world and are often second to none - Russian and American notwithstanding!

And another thing. The late great John Bull work for the SA defence force producing superguns before being eliminated by the Mossad [or was it the Sin Beth] for designing the super gun for Iraq.

The SA arms industries produce some of the best APC's in the world and their expertise with armouring high angled, slope sided, reinforced floor vehicles are second only to those produced by the Israelis.

Agreed, South Africa is certainly not the "poor 3rd world country" that most of Africa is south of the Sahara. If you're interested you should also take a look at their new attack heli. better then the Apache and any other that comes to mind save the Ka-52.

South Africa is maybe not third World, but I would not call them first world either.

The U.S. likly purchased these Vehicals to test and decide if they have a potential use.

If the price is right and they're better then the present systems America are using, they'll upgrade them.

They'll buy a few to test.

It's good business practice to do this. Especially since the dollar does well in South Africa, it'll help on the amount they can order.

Nice find.

South Africa is more of a 3rd world country with lots of 1st world elements, but it's definitely not nearly as bad as most people make it out to be.

Originally posted by fritz
Another thing. South Africa produces some of the best artillery pieces in the world and are often second to none - Russian and American notwithstanding!

Best artillery pieces? Well after they managed to get a licence from Tampella they finally managed to build a few decent guns, but to call those second to none... All field gus made in SA are essentially evolution versions of Finnish designs. (just like the Soltam and SA mortars)

But their APC:s are probably the best mine resistant vehicles in the world, but i really wouldn't like to test them in urban combat. Roof armour is usually seriously compromised as they are designed for savannah use. I wonder when US Army will bow down and get either Pirahnas or AMV:s for their infantry.

For those who underestimate the military financial infrastructure of South Africa, an overview of their proposed expansion published in 2001 can be found here.

You will note that over the next few years they plan to upgrade the SADF with some serious equipment, including new advanced light fighter aircraft, Main Battle Tanks, patrol vehicles and submarines.

How does this tie in with the RG 31? Well in 2001 Defence Systems Daily reported that 35% of the financial investment into these upgrades would come from Foreign investment in South Africa by companies associated with the equipment suppliers (the remaining 35% or R24-billion). Hence the increased quality and number of export materials.

[edit on 9-12-2007 by PaddyInf]

South Africa started the mine resistant armoured vehicles back in 70s
with the rest of the world catching up recentley.

About 200 Casspir Mk1's were originally built by the CSIR in 1979/80. The production was taken over by TFM in 1981, which improved the design to the Mk 2. Some 2500 Casspir series APC's were built by TFM of South Africa, which was subsequently taken over by Reumech OMC. Reumech in turn was taken over by Vickers Defence Systems of the UK and renamed Vickers OMC. When Alvis purchased Vickers Defence Systems to become Alvis Vickers, Vickers OMC became Alvis OMC. In 2004 BAE Systems acquired Alvis Vickers and Alvis OMC was renamed Land Systems OMC.

en.wikipedia.org...

Of course sth africa is rebuilding but woulnt say 3rd world at all.

I find it pretty amazing that the US Army would buy this from a "3d world country" like RSA ?? Is it perhaps due to be used in Irak? Any comments?

Because as of today US armed forces still don’t have a dedicated urban armored vehicle even though civilian forces do!

HUMVEE is a TRANSPORT class vehicle, designed as a replacement for the Jeep, but with an enlarged chassis and track so it can follow 5T truck tracks with out bouncing all over the place like Jeeps did when they followed the trucks.

HUMVEE was NEVER designed to carry all the armor it’s hauling around these days, thus the never ending breakdowns and constant maintenance.

Here’s a civilian armored vehicle designed to BE armored and operate in urban environment, the vehicle which we had for years;

"Peacekeeper" Armored Vehicle

www.ci.montclair.ca.us...

On the military side of things, we also had PROPERLY armored vehicles since the 70s, but yet again lucrative contracts brushed what was needed aside and pushed through what made money for the good old boys.

Here’s the list of what our troops should have been rolling around Iraq from day 1;

M706 Armored Car;

www.warwheels.net..." target='_blank' class='tabOff'/>

www.warwheels.net...

Commando Ranger Armored Personnel Carrier (see “Peacekeeper”)

www.warwheels.net..." target='_blank' class='tabOff'/>

www.warwheels.net...

And here’s a PERFECT example of ARMORED urban firepower, with a REMOTELY operated 25mm gun, which obviously does not require our guys having to swing an obsolete M2 while being exposed to enemy fire.

www.warwheels.net..." target='_blank' class='tabOff'/>

www.warwheels.net...

How about them apples? Back in 1978 AM General already had a perfect urban 4X4 fighter, but no, to this day our guys have drive around and in armored taxicabs.

I would not care if they are purchased from Russia. AS long as our guys are safe,

Damn right! They had their armored amphibious 4X4 scout LONG time ago, and BRDM-2 with its hard hitting turret mounted 14.5 KVPT is nothing to sneeze at.

BRDM-2 will simply devastate ANY type of armored HUMVEE, and a Kornet/Metis armed BRDM out shoots soft skinned TOW armed HUMVEE in any scenario.

Even if the TOW is launches first, Kornet/Metis fly faster and will strike before TOW reaches its target, not to mention that BRDMs even have ERA packs.

South Africa a third world country? Surely not. Have I missed something during my travels there?

Exactly! It’s simply our home grown propaganda that other then America everybody else ether wants to be like us or are dirt poor and stupid.

Ignorance is bliss, and thank God we’re in “Deny Ignorance” environment!

For those who underestimate the military financial infrastructure of South Africa, an overview of their proposed expansion published in 2001 can be found here.

PaddyInf, I agree with you here, btw, how’s the desk treating you? : )

South Africa started the mine resistant armoured vehicles back in 70s
with the rest of the world catching up recentley.

Wow there buddy, for that one feel free to take a trip all the way back to WWI, and in WWII anti-mine development was in full swing.

Originally posted by iskander

For those who underestimate the military financial infrastructure of South Africa, an overview of their proposed expansion published in 2001 can be found here.

PaddyInf, I agree with you here, btw, how’s the desk treating you? : )

Cheeky sod! Brace off in 3 weeks, then about 4 months with the physio-terrorists.

Thanks for asking though.

reply to post by PaddyInf

Cheeky sod! Brace off in 3 weeks, then about 4 months with the physio-terrorists.

That’s my lad! And I though you had that desk all saddled up!

Thanks for asking though.

Take care your self and never take food or water from their street vendors, it’ll get you sick.

Street vendor pay off to get their spots, and when local muscle see them feeding the “Kafirs”, they squeeze them harder if they don’t spike the food and water sold (or given) to you guys, and they’ll poison your chow, spike your water and do it with a big friendly smile.

Just keep it in mind.