Folks,

Some military experts consider the South African ROOIKAT to be "the best" wheeled armored fighting vehicle in the world. With the exception of its main 76mm cannon it out does every other wheeled AFV -- armor protection, engine power, range, mobility, mine-protection, etc.

The South African Army in 1986 when they issued a requirement for the Rooikat deliberately stated they did not want the 105mm cannon that could have been fitted. The reason was they did not want future commanders seeing the Rooikat as a tank-destroyer. In their opinion against modern MBT a fools game.

But don't let the 76mm cannon fool you. It is based on the Italian 76mm naval cannon that you see mounted on US frigates and USCG cutters. It is a high velocity cannon with a high rate of fire.

Finally, the Rooikat was designed for long range operations (1,000km) over extreme terrain without having to refuel. Its mission is to take on supply convoys, air bases, radar installations, etc. Everything except go toe to toe with modern MBT - ie it can easily with its modern fire control system take on the older Russian tanks like the T-55 and T-62 with its APDS-FS 76mm round.

Jack E. Hammond

Even against older tanks like those mentioned ( T-55 and T-62 ) I would still consider engaging them with a vehicle like that as a last resort, and btw does that 76mm cannon really have enough power to penetrate front armor of T-62 over longer ranges

Originally Posted by Armyjaeger

Even against older tanks like those mentioned ( T-55 and T-62 ) I would still consider engaging them with a vehicle like that as a last resort, and btw does that 76mm cannon really have enough power to penetrate front armor of T-62 over longer ranges

Dear Member,

I would not consider it a last resort, but I would not go looking for combat against an MBT. And the answer to your last questions is, Yes when firing the new APDS-FS round. Remember the cannon on the Rooikat is not the normal 76mm found on tanks. It is based on a naval cannon which is far more powerful. That is one reason for the Rooikat's larger width and weight over other 8X8 wheeled AFV.

Jack E. Hammond

I would not consider it a last resort, but I would not go looking for combat against an MBT. And the answer to your last questions is, Yes when firing the new APDS-FS round. Remember the cannon on the Rooikat is not the normal 76mm found on tanks. It is based on a naval cannon which is far more powerful. That is one reason for the Rooikat's larger width and weight over other 8X8 wheeled AFV.

I would have to agree with you. That is probably a very modern and high velocity 76mm gun, right? So wih modern ammo it can definetly punch a hole in a T-55 or t-62...Heck, Shermans with 75mm weapons took on and destroyed T-62s. This was before the use of modern ammo.

As to it being the best in the world, i really dont know many other like it... Most of the recce/tank destroyer wheeled vehicles are 6X6...

http://www.army-technology.com/projects/rooikat/

Looks like fun.

Impressive. Wouldnt want to take on a tank in it, doubt it would stand up against M1s, Leos etc. Against other APCs and AIFVs i think it would stand up well.

Impressive. Wouldnt want to take on a tank in it, doubt it would stand up against M1s, Leos etc. Against other APCs and AIFVs i think it would stand up well.

Assuming it has good FCS, than it should stand up very well....

It has a good FCS. It is also much cheaper to produce than a regular tank. The 76mm gun will punch through most types of armour available today. The key to the Rooikat's power is in it's speed. It is a fast bugger and will outrun the turret speed on most tanks out there.
If I (still) lived in a place like Africa or Iraq, I would seriously consider this over a conventional tank, purely because chances are that my enemies don't have anything better than T55's and that I can outmanuever pretty much anything they have. Install a bigger gun if you like, and take on pretty much any tank, since you will be able to field many more of them than you can tanks.

Folks,

Thanks for the reply, and especially the one with the link on the Rooikat. But a note, the first Rooikat was not tested till 1987 (ie the article in the link says it was operational in 1980). The first operational Rooikats were delivered in 1988.

Jack E. Hammond

And the SR-71 didn't exist until the mid-eighties either.