Eland Mk7
Encyclopedia
The Eland is a South African light armoured car based on the Panhard AML
. Its permanent 4x4 drive gives it its mobility, and it can carry either a 90 mm quick firing low pressure gun, or a 60 mm breech loading mortar
as main weapons. Night vision equipment provides effective night time operations, and it is provided with a modern telecommunications system.
signed a contract with the French
company Panhard
for AML armoured cars. 100 were delivered from France and local production started in 1962 for 500 units. Later further production was undertaken - bringing the total number of locally produced vehicles to 1300. The Eland Mk7 is derived from the Panhard AML
60-7 armoured car and has been extensively modified (e.g. diesel conversion) by Reumech OMC for use in the harsh African environment. Some were exported to Lesotho, Malawi, Morocco and Zimbabwe. The South African Army
has replaced the Eland with the Rooikat AFV
.
, and were known to crews as "Noddy Cars". They were effective against light armored vehicles and older tanks such as the T-34/85 that were used by the Cubans and the MPLA. A small number of Eland 90s were sold to the Rhodesian government in the mid-1970s to replace the aging Ferret armoured car
. They were also used by Morocco in the Western Sahara War
, with the Polisario Front
capturing some units.
Panhard AML
-Former Operators:: unknown number of AML-60s and AML-90s in service between 1960-1975.: 34 Eland 90s and Eland 60s in service with the Rhodesian Security Forces in 1979, passed on to successor state.-Trivia:...
. Its permanent 4x4 drive gives it its mobility, and it can carry either a 90 mm quick firing low pressure gun, or a 60 mm breech loading mortar
Mortar (weapon)
A mortar is an indirect fire weapon that fires explosive projectiles known as bombs at low velocities, short ranges, and high-arcing ballistic trajectories. It is typically muzzle-loading and has a barrel length less than 15 times its caliber....
as main weapons. Night vision equipment provides effective night time operations, and it is provided with a modern telecommunications system.
Production history
South AfricaSouth Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
signed a contract with the French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
company Panhard
Panhard
Panhard is currently a French manufacturer of light tactical and military vehicles. Its current incarnation was formed by the acquisition of Panhard by Auverland in 2005. Panhard had been under Citroën ownership, then PSA , for 40 years...
for AML armoured cars. 100 were delivered from France and local production started in 1962 for 500 units. Later further production was undertaken - bringing the total number of locally produced vehicles to 1300. The Eland Mk7 is derived from the Panhard AML
Panhard AML
-Former Operators:: unknown number of AML-60s and AML-90s in service between 1960-1975.: 34 Eland 90s and Eland 60s in service with the Rhodesian Security Forces in 1979, passed on to successor state.-Trivia:...
60-7 armoured car and has been extensively modified (e.g. diesel conversion) by Reumech OMC for use in the harsh African environment. Some were exported to Lesotho, Malawi, Morocco and Zimbabwe. The South African Army
South African Army
The South African Army is the army of South Africa, first formed after the Union of South Africa was created in 1910.The South African military evolved within the tradition of frontier warfare fought by commando forces, reinforced by the Afrikaners' historical distrust of large standing armies...
has replaced the Eland with the Rooikat AFV
Rooikat AFV
The Rooikat is a wheeled armoured fighting vehicle built in South Africa for the South African Army. It was designed for combat reconnaissance and seek and destroy operations. Its secondary roles include combat support, anti-armour and anti-guerrilla operations...
.
Variants
- Eland Mk7 - Also known as the Eland 60
- Eland Mk9 - Also known as the Eland 90 - Modified version of the AML H 90 armored car, keeping the Panhard chassis but having a new Hispano-Suiza designed turret with a 90 mm GIAT F1 gun
Operators
Lesotho Defence ForceLesotho Defence ForceThe Lesotho Defence Force is the army and Air Wing of Lesotho.There is no conscription in Lesotho.Of 400,457 males age 18-49, the CIA estimates 162,857 are fit for military service.Military expenditures: $32.3 million...
Military of MalawiMilitary of MalawiThe Armed forces of Malawi are the state military organisation responsible for defending Malawi. They originated from British colonial units formed before independence in 1964.-Army structure:...
Moroccan Army- (Captured from Morocco in the Western Sahara WarWestern Sahara WarThe Western Sahara War was an armed conflict primarily between the Polisario Front and Morocco, the conflict erupted after the withdrawal of Spain from the Spanish Sahara in accordance with the Madrid Accords by which it gave administrative control of the territory to Morocco and Mauritania...
) 
South African ArmySouth African ArmyThe South African Army is the army of South Africa, first formed after the Union of South Africa was created in 1910.The South African military evolved within the tradition of frontier warfare fought by commando forces, reinforced by the Afrikaners' historical distrust of large standing armies...
(Replaced by the Rooikat)
Rhodesian Security Forces
Zimbabwe National ArmyZimbabwe National ArmyThe Zimbabwe National Army is the land warfare branch of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces. The ZNA currently has an active duty strength of 30,000.-History:...
Combat history
Elands were used extensively by the SADF during the Angolan Civil WarAngolan Civil War
The Angolan Civil War was a major civil conflict in the Southern African state of Angola, beginning in 1975 and continuing, with some interludes, until 2002. The war began immediately after Angola became independent from Portugal in November 1975. Prior to this, a decolonisation conflict had taken...
, and were known to crews as "Noddy Cars". They were effective against light armored vehicles and older tanks such as the T-34/85 that were used by the Cubans and the MPLA. A small number of Eland 90s were sold to the Rhodesian government in the mid-1970s to replace the aging Ferret armoured car
Ferret armoured car
The Ferret armoured car, also commonly called the Ferret Scout car, is a British armoured fighting vehicle designed and built for reconnaissance purposes. The Ferret was produced between 1952 and 1971 by the UK company, Daimler...
. They were also used by Morocco in the Western Sahara War
Western Sahara War
The Western Sahara War was an armed conflict primarily between the Polisario Front and Morocco, the conflict erupted after the withdrawal of Spain from the Spanish Sahara in accordance with the Madrid Accords by which it gave administrative control of the territory to Morocco and Mauritania...
, with the Polisario Front
Polisario Front
The POLISARIO, Polisario Front, or Frente Polisario, from the Spanish abbreviation of Frente Popular de Liberación de Saguía el Hamra y Río de Oro is a Sahrawi rebel national liberation movement working for the independence of Western Sahara from Morocco...
capturing some units.