Quote:
Originally Posted by The Dark
I'm not sure they'd need more. South Africa had 224 Olifant Mk.1 (total for both A and B) in service in 1996 in our timeline, along with 28 bridge-laying Olifants. FAPLA had T-54/55 (150) and T-62 (175), while PLAN had T-34 and T-55 that were rolled into the NDF. AFAIK, T-72 didn't reach the area until 1999 (again, in our timeline), and I need convincing that the Soviet Union would send anything other than T-54/55 and T-62 to either FAPLA or PLAN, since that's not a priority theater for them. I also realize I just come up with an argument against the Rooikat 105 I suggested earlier, since the Rooikat 76 is capable of defeating all FAPLA or PLAN armor at 2 kilometers; the 105 is unnecessary unless heavier armor is deployed.
If they do buy more, Israeli Sho't Kal might be another source. They were one of the inspirations for the Olifant, and would fit in well. Israel had 390 of them in the mid-80s but started converting them to HAPCs as the Merkavas entered service, so I'm not sure how many would still be available (although the HAPCs could be converted back by Denel).
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they might send T-72 to "high profile" units, maybe a company or so not T80's or newer. as the war went on resupply, i think would go all the down to t34's, they had them already and parts and knowledge was there.
why 105 vs 76mm...
the 76 would work against T62, but not if it they were fit with ERA. when planning you have to think 10 years in advance of your data. The SA might be getting a "warning" about "new" tanks coming into there local area.."soon". that would drive making a local product that could ambush kill T-72/T64.
how about having two lines. one making a lot more 76mm and a smaller one making a few 105mm turrets.
also the 76mm is not a "nato" round. getting 105mm Nato type rounds would be alot cheaper and would simplify working with Olifants with the L7's. i don't think the 76mm has a canister round.