Olifant Nik lA/Mk IB The Olifant (Elephant) Mk 1A is an indigenous upgrade conversion of various Centurion MET marks obtained by South Africa over the years. It is reminiscent of the original Israeli Sho't programme with improvements to firepower and mobility. The main armament used is a locally built hybrid 105 mm rifled gun which uses the barrel of the British designed 105 mm L7A1 mated to the breech mechanism of the original 20 pdr OQFMk 1 gun. Locally built HEAT, HESH, APDS-T, APFSDS-T and smoke ammunition types are carried. The fire control system and sights are basically the original Centurion systems with the addition of a hand held laser rangefinder for the commander. For night fighting the gunner has an image
intensifier assembly whilst the commander uses an infra-red/white light spotlight. The driver uses infra-red headlights. The Olifant Mk IB is effectively a total rebuild of the Mk 1A with the following features; lengthened hull; new engine, transmission and suspension; rebuilt turret with new stowage arrangement but same gun with thermal sleeve and integral fume extractor added; reduction in basic load rounds to 68; new driver's station; updated fire control system with ballistic computer and gunner's sight with integral laser rangefinder and new add-on special armour modules fitted to the turret front and sides, and hull glacis plate, Other variants produced include an ARV, an ARRV which can carry and fit a
South Africa complete powerpack unit and a Mk 1A or Mk IB combat support version fitted with an Israeli type Track Width Mine Plough (TWMP) or mine-roller system. A prototype AVLB has also been produced. Specification First prototype: Olifant Mk 1 1976; Olifant Mk 1A 1981-82; Olifant Mk IB 1985 First production: Olifant Mk 1 1978-82; Olifant Mk 1A 1983-89 (about 300 conversions); Olifant Mk IB 1991-current (complete rebuild of Mk 1A) Current user: South Africa Crew: 4 Combat weight: Olifant Mk 1A 56 000 kg; Olifant Mk IB 58 000 kg
