Eland Mk7
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| Eland Mk7 | |
| Country Of Origin: | France |
| Designation: | Light Armoured Car |
| Configuration: | 4 x 4 |
| Manufacturer: | Reumech Sandock |
| Length: | 3,79m |
| Width: | 1,97m |
| Height: | 2,07m |
| Weight: | 5,5t |
| Ground Clearance: | 330mm |
| Trench: | 0,8m |
| Speed: | 90km/h (road) km/h (off-road) |
| Range: | 600km |
| Primary armament: | 60mm breech loading mortar |
| Secondary armament: | 2 7,62mm MG |
| Power plant: | Panhard Model 4 HD 4-cylinder air-cooled petrol developing 90 hp at 4,700 rpm |
| Crew: | 3 |
A light armoured car with permanent 4x4 drive gives it exceptional mobility. 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 an excellent telecommunications system.
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Production History
South Africa 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 Diesel Turbo (DT) 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 very harsh African environment. Some were exported to Lesotho, Malawi and Zimbabwe. The South African Army has replaced the Eland with the Rooikat.
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 90mm GIAT F1 gun
Operators
Combat History
Elands were used in the Angolan War and also in the Rhodesian War.
See also: Infantry fighting vehicle and List_of_AFVs.