South Africa's homegrown Olifant Mk2 tank takes center stage at AAD 2024.

At AAD 2024, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) demonstrated a variety of military vehicles, including the Olifant Mk2 main battle tank, alongside the Ratel infantry fighting vehicle and the Rooikat armored reconnaissance vehicle. The Olifant Mk2, a 60.5-ton upgrade of the Olifant Mk1B, was developed based on experiences from the South African Border War and features enhanced armor, mobility, and firepower compared to its predecessor.
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Rather than replacing the Olifant Mk1B, the Olifant Mk2 was developed as an upgrade influenced by experiences from the South African Border War. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The Olifant Mk2 is one of the heaviest military vehicles currently in service with the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). Its name, derived from the African elephant, emphasizes its size and total weight of 60.5 tons, divided between a 20-ton turret and a 40.5-ton hull, while the powerpack weighs 4,740 kilograms. The design of the Olifant Mk2 was influenced by experiences from the South African Border War (1966-1989). After South Africa was no longer subject to international embargoes, the SANDF moved away from acquiring large numbers of new tanks. Instead, the military opted for more mobile, air-transportable vehicles that could be deployed for peacekeeping operations under the United Nations (UN) and the African Union (AU).

Rather than replacing the Olifant Mk1B, the Olifant Mk2 was developed as an upgrade. In the 1990s, potential replacement options, including the French AMX-56 Leclerc and the British Challenger 2E, were considered. However, due to budget limitations, the decision was made to focus on upgrading the existing Mk1B tanks, resulting in the production of only 26 Mk2s. Although externally similar to its predecessor, the Olifant Mk2 retains the 29.32-liter Continental turbocharged V12 diesel engine. This engine delivers 1,026 horsepower at 2,400 rpm, improving the power-to-weight ratio from 14.4 horsepower per ton to 17.19 horsepower per ton. The Mk2 accelerates 25% faster than the Mk1B, with a top speed of 58 kilometers per hour on roads, a cruising speed of 35 kilometers per hour, and a maximum reverse speed of 25 kilometers per hour.

The Olifant Mk2 retains the 29.32-liter Continental turbocharged V12 diesel engine of its predecessor, but accelerates 25% faster tanks to an improved power-to-weight ratio. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The Mk2 continues to use the AMTRA 3 automatic transmission system found in the Mk1 series, along with double-differential steering and independent torsion bar suspension. This suspension system allows the vehicle to overcome obstacles up to 0.9 meters in height and cross trenches up to two meters wide while traveling at 30 kilometers per hour. The tank is capable of fording unprepared water obstacles up to 1.5 meters deep. Its off-road mobility is enhanced by hydraulic dampers and bump stops. The vehicle has a fuel capacity of 1,260 liters, providing an operational range of 260 kilometers in cross-country conditions and 200 kilometers in heavy sand.

The 20-ton turret is armed with a 105mm GT3B semi-automatic rifled gun, which is manually loaded and has a capacity for 64 rounds of ammunition. This gun, retained from the Olifant Mk1, supports several types of ammunition, including armor-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot (APFSDS/T), high-explosive squash head (HESH), high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT), and white phosphorus (WP) rounds. The APFSDS/T round has a maximum effective range of 3,000 meters, while the HESH, HEAT, and WP rounds have a maximum range of 7,500 meters.

The 20-ton turret is armed with a 105mm GT3B semi-automatic rifled gun, which is manually loaded and has a maximum range of 7,500 meters. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

In addition to the main gun, the Mk2 is equipped with a coaxial 7.62mm Browning machine gun, which fires between 600 and 750 rounds per minute, with a total ammunition capacity of 5,000 rounds. The vehicle also carries two banks of four 81mm smoke grenade launchers mounted at the rear of the turret for concealment purposes. Like some Russian tank models, the Mk2 can generate a smoke screen by injecting fuel into the engine exhaust.

The fire control system (FCS) and computerized battle system (CBS) of the Olifant Mk1 have been upgraded to enable the Mk2 to fire while moving and operate in a range of weather conditions, day or night. The Mk2 includes a hunter-killer mode, allowing the commander and gunner to independently track and engage separate targets. The laser rangefinder has an effective range of up to 10 kilometers, and it feeds data into the ballistic computer to adjust the main gun's elevation. The turret is capable of completing a 360-degree rotation in 16 seconds. A key feature of the Mk2 is the Commander’s Observation Platform (COP), located on the turret roof, which provides the commander with thermal imaging and a 360-degree field of view.

The Olifant Mk2 retains the armor of the Mk1A but includes additional passive composite armor on the glacis plate and turret, as well as redesigned steel skirts to shield the running gear from missile strikes. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

In terms of protection, the Olifant Mk2 retains the armor of the Mk1A but includes additional passive composite armor on the glacis plate and turret. These upgrades are designed to offer improved defense against threats such as rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) and 23mm armor-piercing rounds. The vehicle also features a double-armored floor to protect against landmines, and a fire suppression system is installed in both the crew and engine compartments. The armored steel skirts have been redesigned to shield the running gear from missile strikes. Inside the turret, the tank is equipped with two drinking water tanks, accessible from the commander’s and loader’s stations, reducing the need for crew members to leave the vehicle for water resupply.

The crew of the Olifant Mk2 consists of four members: a commander, gunner, loader, and driver. The commander’s station is located on the right side of the turret and features a modern cupola with a digital screen linked to the gunner’s sight. The gunner’s station is equipped with day/night capabilities and a digital display, while the loader benefits from an episcope for improved situational awareness. The driver’s station, located in the hull, retains the ergonomic features of the Mk1B, including a yoke-type steering system, a digital instrument panel, and three episcopes for visibility. Additionally, the central episcope can be replaced with a night-driving periscope to enhance nighttime operations.

The AMTRA 3 suspension system allows the Olifant Mk2 to overcome obstacles up to 0.9 meters in height and cross trenches up to two meters wide while traveling at 30 kilometers per hour. (Picture source: Army Recognition)