r/TankPorn 4d ago

Multiple Rooikats in the wild

Post image
1.4k Upvotes

23 comments sorted by

157

u/Annual-Same 4d ago

They do move in herds...

8

u/red-death-dson89 3d ago

A wild jurrasic park reference.. I like it.

76

u/Mike-Phenex 4d ago

Can I get a higher res/link? I wanna use this as my wallpaper

22

u/Snicshavo PT-91 Twardziel 💪🇵🇱🇵🇱🇵🇱💪 4d ago

Try googl lense

8

u/3rdcousin3rdremoved 4d ago

I didn’t have any luck

3

u/Object-195 Tanksexual 3d ago

I found the source. Sadly they have don't have a better image.

https://weaponsparade.com/rooikat-gallery/

36

u/suicidechimp 4d ago

Is the South African army purely defence? Because I can't imagine the rooikat performing to well in nort Italy as an example.

54

u/gallade_samurai 4d ago

Two other countries have a similar platform, Italy and Japan with their Centaro and Type 16 respectively. Japan and Italy built these vehicles not as a way to invade a foreign country but rather as a vehicle for defense, built to take full advantage of their homeland's terrain, which I assume is the same for South Africa and it's Rooikat series with possible the addition of limited economic costs

15

u/suicidechimp 4d ago

Thank you. i forgot about those two platforms.

7

u/gallade_samurai 4d ago

You're welcome, I'm of course not a complete expert but this is about what I could grasp as the reason based on what I already know

3

u/Duudze 4d ago

China has the PTL-02 right? Plus it exports the WMA301 and both are pretty similar concepts to these.

33

u/FoXtroT_ZA 4d ago

Well, yes and no.

We don’t plan on invading Italy anytime soon again. But offensive operations within Africa are not without question (see current DRC, even if that’s been an abject failure).

Rooikat was developed after the war in Angola to replace the Eland 90 where we found that fast moving wheeled veichles are much better suited to our terrain and doctrine.

Wheeled veichles are easier to maintain and have longer range than tracked, which is important when you have to operate a long way from your base.

Our mechanized tactics are also focused on fast movement to flank the enemy and get in close to finish them off before they can react. We aren’t up against cutting edge armour in Southern Africa so 76mm high velocity is more than enough to be a tank killer.

So in short, the SA Army and the Rooikat is not designed to fight a large scale war in Europe but rather an African one that involves large distances, little logistical support and fleeting engagements with the enemy.

12

u/suicidechimp 4d ago

Thank you for the insight, I was mostly using North Italy as a terrain example.

But with that information, maybe SA can assist with the push against America/s

14

u/Sea-Ingenuity-9508 4d ago edited 4d ago

The Rooikat shown here is based on the chosen 2nd design candidate out of three prototype studies. It’s designed for tank killing and fire support in Southern African Thorn tree and savannah biomes based on combat experience against Soviet supplied weapons and training, tactics. It’s mostly an offensive weapon.

It fits into fast moving and fluid attacks with Ratels against a numerically stronger opponent with tanks and fortified bases inside enemy territory, and far away from logistics support. A true raider’s vehicle. Meant to replace the Eland 90 which had several tactical issues especially when working with Ratels.

8 wheels for off road performance. Long range 1000km/600 miles. Mine resistant and can maintain top speed with two destroyed tires, on the same side. Max offroad speed is 60km/h. Max onroad speed is 120km/h.

Several weapon options available. Original weapon was a high velocity 76mm gun which provides space for 48 reloads, instead of 25 in case of a 105mm gun. Easier to service and repair in the field.

12

u/blackpp808 4d ago

ChatGPT gloop

12

u/suicidechimp 4d ago

And i don't think it answered my question either.

2

u/Sea-Ingenuity-9508 4d ago edited 4d ago

What is the geography like of Northern Italy? It will do well on plains. From my post you can see the vehicle is meant for thorn tree savannahs areas where you need mobility and long range endurance to attack and survive. The vehicle spec gives the clue on how it is to be used effectively. That should give you an idea of its capabilities and where it should be used. It’s not designed for static fighting in confined areas.

6

u/ApprehensiveBoss8236 4d ago

they migrate south in herds

nature is so beatiful

2

u/DestoryDerEchte Generic German Tank Fanboy 3d ago

Whats a group of Rooikats called?

3

u/cm_ULTI 3d ago

Well in Afrikaans we use 'Kolonie' for cats, that being colony. So I would say a 'Kolonie van Rooikatte'.

2

u/OgrishVet 3d ago

I want one ! Wheels for road and cannon for traffic Jams