Rooikat armoured reconnaissance vehicle | The wild cat of the savannah
We are investigating the Rooikat, the South African armoured reconnaissance vehicle with good anti-tank and fire support capability. #Rooikat #SANDF #armouredvehicle
Special thanks to Military Heritage channel and Tanks Encyclopedia website for sharing its unique video footage and information with us
Channel link: / naijaie1
Website: tanks-encyclopedia.com/coldwa...
Which requirements paved the way for the development of the Rooikat?
What armoured vehicles did South Africa test before Rooikat?
Why did South Africa choose a 76mm gun instead of a 105mm one?
What are the serial and non-serial variants of the Rooikat?
00:00 Introduction
01:09 Historical background
02:18 Programme history
04:44 Variants
06:34 Specifications
07:17 Design
09:04 Firepower
11:01 Survivability
11:51 Mobility
12:24 Operational use
Welcome to our new content. As the Weapon Detective, we are investigating modern weapon systems of the Second Cold War. The Weapon Legends is about older weapon systems. In our videos, we tell their epic stories which made them a legend. The Weapon Legends investigates these stories, reads between the lines, analyse, and tells the untold. In our videos, you can find technical information as well as historical backgrounds, what happened during the development processes, combat experience and political projection. Let the wisdom of history show us what the future would be like. Let’s investigate the veteran weapons of the past together.
© South African National Defence Force, African Defence Review, Shaun Marran, Berck Tv, GICombatSupplies, Rooikat, Africa Travel Channel, Tim Hunter Productions, South African Military History Channel, EXPLORING NAMIBIA TV, AP (Associated Press), net-film.ru, Italian Army, ミク, Zone de Défense Sud - Est, French Army, MrTommelomsen, Military Heritage, Charmaine Jordaan
Music: National Anthem of South Africa
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I was in the Ratels in 1988 when these were being tested by 61 Mech Battalion. They were still prototypes, but they left the Ratels in the dust at the time. The Rooikat is huge when you see it in person, but amazingly fast in the bush. Nothing could catch it. The 76mm gun was good foe everything except a modern main battle tank, so it was perfect for the task it was built for.
It could take out a tank if it has first round advantage or at least immobilise it.
I DONT know why but i am in love with this amazing vehicle !!!
@@drosoulitis37 must be the looks
Actually it’s very likely that in an ambush the 76 could take out an mbt but they really ought to upgrade to the 105 version and develop the AA variant too
Oh and they definitely need some sort of top mounted machine gun, it’s incredibly vulnerable to helicopters. An mbt doesn’t need to use its main gun to take out a Rooikat if it’s got anything bigger than a 50. Cal
Thanks for the video about this beautiful vehicle. The South African weapon systems always have a special place in my heart. Please more South African vehicles...
Durch das empargo und ihre Fähigkeiten hat SA man könnte sagen einen eigenen zweig der panzer familie geschaffen, die heute ja denke ich wen man ja die krisenherte unserer welt sieht für gewisses Gebiet nützlich und von Vorteil sind. Tolles Video, schönes Fahrzeug, und gruß aus Deutschland 🎉😊
This is the best and most thouroughly made video of the ROOIKAT.in 1990 we were the first intake to be trained on these.They had problems but I am sure they have fixed them by now.I was a driver,a most comfortable ride on the road and in the bush.
My brother was in 1SSB in 1989. They trained on them as well
@@RianaBotha40 2 SSB Zeerust 1990 myself. TROMMEL DRUIWERS as is the nickname for armour.
I worked for Standemag Opleiding, or Standing Force Training in 1989/1990 at School of Armour, Bloem. I klaared in at 2 SSB in Feb 1989. Standemag Opleiding helped with the research and testing of the Rooikat, developing it's service requirements and training schedules. We even had a 'Camper' unit, the Pretoria Highlanders do their course in 1989 or 90. We ran the training course at Pantserskool for your crew commanders and instructors.
I was a gunner on this beauty!.
Nice! Got to see these, Eland and Ratels on a school trip back in Natal.
Were you in 1SSB in 1990? Had a chap with your surname. I recall we were the first two after 90 gunnery training volunteering for Rooikat gunnery! The Rooikat was the best beast.
@@jacquesbayman6557 Yes, I was! And Yes! It was the best fun training on that beast.
@@williamashurst5912 LOL! You and I was caught watching in on a TV show during guard duty. Remember that? The next day we were shooting in a regimental competition and when the Luitenant saw our scores, he let us off of our promised oppie! I think we tied that day on top score for SSB. (Or I was close to your top score.) Funny that the two shirkers were the best shots SSB could come up with. 🙂 Bloody unfair competition, we used R5's the other units used R4's... I hope there was no other Ashurst in case I am wrong.
@@jacquesbayman6557 good times, I still shoot often, won the last comp this year, just local club. would love to chat connect up un messenger or whatsapp?
The top on road speed is at least 160km per hour. I have personally driven it at that speed. I had to do a lot of push-ups to pay for my lack of judgment afterwards.
Holy crap! I drove Bradleys and M-113’s in the US Army during my 26 years (1983-2009) and at no time did I see an armored vehicle come close! Retired 11H/11B
The turret less Rooikats easily clocked over 130kph from the Lyttleton Works in Pretoria down the highway past Joburg to Bloem. The Traffic Police were not too happy with this as the SADF didn't bother to pay the speeding fines! The only reason they didn't exceed 130 kph was that the crew commander had to stand with his body exposed to the wind and any flying insects that came along!
You sure that's not classified information you're leaking?
Came across this video and channel showing my boys a propper bush ride. I was in 1SSB and trained to drive this fine machine, and let me tell you, no experience comes close to hurling through the bush at 90km/h in the dead on night using night vision, and the next day seeing the obstacles and trenches you were blissfully unaware of.
wow that's amazing!
That sounds absolutely epic.
I'm quite jealous of you in that regard. Hopefully when these vehicles are retired, the military will disarm and auction them to civilians so that more people can enjoy the experience of driving in one.
100km/h in the bush and 129km/h on the road on the way back from de Brug.
I am a veteran and NEVER encountered a Rooikat during deployment in Angola right up to the end of the war in ‘89. We used Buffels, Ratels and Olifants. Which trenches are you talking about?
It still surprises me that this and the Centaro do not have more international sales. Easily upgraded to 90mm or 105mm. Add ATGMs and boom. Tank killer that is air-transportable.
Yes, Australia for one could have considered such a AFV instead of the Abrams tank. We need mobility and speed and air transport ability, for our distances tanks don't have sufficient range or speed and are too logistic hungry.
@@FairladyS130 The idea of turbine powered Abrams is weird, why not just do the Leopard upgrades, that thing is still relevant.
Rooikat does not fit in a C130 but larger airlifters shouldn't have a problem.
@@Veldtian1 Abrams has a diesel option.
We (SADF and armament companies) were ahead of our time.
@@BIGBIRDSMEAL When you grow up and have some real life experience, come back and comment.
@@BIGBIRDSMEAL Again, your ignorance and lack of knowledge shines through. Go and play with the children and stop acting like you are knowledgeable on this subject.
@@BIGBIRDSMEAL No they were in war and learnt good lessons from it and had good engineering capability.
@@mikezog1030 Yup Mike....we were in a war, virtually isolated from obtaining foreign aid and had to think out of the box. Thats where good ideas really come from. Think of the Buffel APC and various others. We had damn good engineers, knew our needs very well. All in all we were very proud of what we produced....!
It's impressive to see them go full tilt through the veld during exercises. Their speed makes them a deadly adversary.
The ROOIVALK deserves a mention
as does the G6 Rhino.
Imagine if we had the Rooivlak in time.
Wait whut this channel has grown like 8 times bigger than last time I was here. Deserved!
My favorite South African armoured vehicle
Looking very good indeed! Nice vid👍 Greets from the Netherlands 🇳🇱, T.
Another excellent video. I love the rare video footage, history and obscure versions that you managed to dig up, you truly live up to your "detective" name!
I was in one and it is very comfortable and has space
Sounds like the antithesis of an armored fighting vehicle, haha. What an amazing machine
Awesome 👍 And South Africa is so beautiful 😍
Great Armoured Infantry assist vehicle + bush tank killer 💪👊👍
Love the anthem in the background👍 The anthem of a once proud nation
I was fortunate to shoot vidoes for gathering performance info for the black caps, SADF Inteligence, during the eraly stages of markB. the capability of shooting accurately whilst on the move was insane. Thanks to collaboration with the Iisraeli military complex, which also helped to develop the Fire Control in the Pilot Helmet Combat Display of the Rooivalk helicopter, the accuracy of tthe Rooikat was incredible. 2 years later I was fortunate to interact with the Rooikat, in mock battle, as a FCO in artillery, at Sweepslag, Lohatla. The Rooikat Rocks
Really funny story, back in my time in the SADF the Rooikat had just come into service two years before i wold be able to drive on. The funny part of this was the fact that i almost flipped it during training whilst traveling 80 or so km/h on dirt. I was layed into by the DS afterward for being so irresponsible. This was in 1997 BTW.
Great video on the Rooikat. I appreciated the section covering all of the Anti-air, Anti-tank and infantry support variants. Where did you get such nice footage?
A VERY interesting and detailed video of an excellent vehicle . Thanks a lot and keep up with a great job !!!!
This is a pontential Infantry fighting vehicle destroyer i.e. anti IFV and wheeled armoured trooper transporter. This vehicle was far ahead of of its time. Its time has come now with high proliferation of other armoured fighting vehicles, which need to be dealt with i.e. leaving tanks to fight tanks. It can travel with two of its road wheals blown off on one side.
AFAIK no. It's great for force recon, but has no advantages against IFVs. The ROF is too low to really exploit an ambush and once located any moderately modern IFV will shred it.
Excellent brief thank you
People always wondered about the 76mm gun. It now has a 120mm gun. But the 76mm was a naval gun with an incredible sabot round penetration. Would be very very effective.
Thank you 🙂♥️
Nice video! Thanks for doing something on something relatively obscure.
Subscribed ages ago mate. 🏴🇬🇧
*Thanks for sharing this vid. Liked & subcribed!!!*
love this vic
I worked as a clerk for the team that developed the operating manual and training regime fir the Rooikat in 1989/90. Those two prototypes were parked outside the offices, looking forlorn. One of my duties was to polish a spent 76mm Naval shell with a plaque that claimed it was the first round fired in the Operational Area by Lt. Crafford, if I recall correctly. I assume one of the prototypes were transported secretly to SWA for this to happen. There is no evidence other than that shell casing and my shoddy memory to prove this story though. I worked for Lt. DJ Crafford, but didn't have an opportunity to query the shell.
The Rooikat is an excellent vehicle that warrants more sales throughout the world. The vehicle would ideally suit the Australian Army for example and would complement existing armoured vehicles. The 76mm gun also appears to be excellent for infantry support and could also be mounted on fast lightweight tracked vehicles such as the British Scorpion/Scimitar to better suit European muddy or winter snow conditions.
No. Lol. Australia has the German Boxer which is a far superior more modern wheeled vehicle that has the ability to have a 105 or 120mmmain gun. Australia sends its soldiers on deployments allover the world. That 76mm gun isn't on par with more modern guns.the 50mm auto cannon on the stryker and boxer has better penetration capabilities than the 76mm on the Rookiat. War in Europe is not remotely the same as on or near SA. Its one thing togo up.against T54/55 and T62s, it's another going up against Leos and T80s and T90s. Its a different world outside of SA.
Thank you
Good morning or good evening. I am a big fan of your videos, but in my opinion, to be legendary, the vehicle (land, air, sea) must have known the fire of the battlefields. So yes it is an interesting idea copied on the French AMX 10 but one has known fire and can pass for a legend but not the other. My sincere compliments on your irreplaceable videos.
Beautiful cat!
Thanks.
These would be great and cheap for Australia
They would and their mobility and sharp teeth (especially with a 105 mm gun) would give MBT's a hard time using hit and run tactics over large areas.
Such acawsome vehicle we worked with Tayels and noddy cars that 90 mil could still deliver s knock out blow
I love you vid really will done I will sub
Welcome
I don't understand what Philippines use track vehicles rather than wheel type for low cost and can upgrade like South Africa did?
What is the terrain like in the Philippines? South Africa has flat, dry terrain, good for wheels. If the Philippines had lots of muddy, swampy terrain, it might be better to stick to tracks.
@@BalkyBartokomous2525 is not places but cost PHILIPPINES military no plan save 💰 go KZhead Intel buy that and so on . Didn't like South Korea plan step by steps
Thank you for the video, it was great! I was wondering if you could point me in the right direction to find the footage of the ZA-35 anti aircraft prototype firing and driving that you used in the video? Thanks again!
The name of the video is "Armscor - 1992 Defence Exhibition of South Africa (DEXSA)". But, it is no longer available. If you can reach us via mail, we can send it to you.
Cute cat content 🐅
I was just looking around trying to find a video that I didn't watch.
Been in both and all calibre got licence to prove it 100 %pass and a commendation for training new black recruits was great then is great now no doubt will get into combat its inevitable
Could you do a video on the South African Elephant tank? I know next to nothing about it.
Thanks for your insterest. We mentioned the Olifant in our Centurion video. We hope you like it. kzhead.info/sun/htucmJSGanRsqps/bejne.html In the future, we may also make a special video for the Olifant.
@@WeaponDetective Thanks, I'll have a look!
like this video
You forgot to site Tank Encyclopedia.
what 75 mm APFSDS pen t62 all side ?
i wonder what vehicle that had been in service in the savannah, can be considered as the Honey Badger.....
Ratel, 20,81 en 90
That's a pretty sophisticated piece of equipment. Where would modern day South Africa find people qualified enough to maintain vehicles like these? Would they contract capable people from Europe and North America to keep these vehicles in running order?
Sadly, the sandf is so incompetent, that they imported the past enemy, cuba, to send technicians to maintain vehicles, they are either too lazy to, or to uneducated to maintain.
Absolutely! ARMSCOR was well ahead of its time! And, one must acknowledge, SANDF represents only 20% of the effectiveness achieved by SADF! The overall performance of SADF, if compared to SANDF, leaves no doubts...
G10 zırhlı lastik tekerlekli 10.10 araç üzerine g 8 zırhlı kulesine 155.58 kalibre obus topunu entegre ettim etkili mevzIl 120km azmi mevzil 210km zırhlı kulesine 30mm 3namlulu makineli topu entegre ettim 800kw lazer topunu entegre ettim insansı kulesine iki yanina omtas tank savar füze savunma sistemi entegre ettim insansı robot pilot lar kullanacak
As an expert on S.A. military equipment i find it really upsurd that the narrator mentioned that the Rooikat armoured vehicle is just a reconnaissance vehicle and not a tank destroyer. It is in fact just the opposite and in the Angolan war in the 1980's it destroy numerous T72 tanks. Even with a small 76 mm calibre high pressure gun.
You should reevaluate the "expert on SA military equipment " statement.
They had T72's in the Angolan war? (T54 was the most advanced) The SADF certainly wasn't fielding rooikats
@Emanuel I wasn't aware of T-62's, I wasn't there, however a good mate of mine was in 61mech and had engagements with tanks in a ratel 90.
What? The first "operational squadron in 1990" was 1SSB. I was there. We did not see Angola. As gunner, I can tell you we were not meant to fight tanks. Take a pot shot and get out. We had APFS-DS, and I fired many at tank hulls - and yes it sliced through, but in "real" sims we fired two rounds max at a tank, and then a hell of a lot of smoke to fall back to turret down. Once there, we would stay below the ridge, the commander would pick a target, and we would poke turret up, shoot and scoot. No we would not take on tanks out in the open. In dense bush, we took on anything. Battle distance means nothing in dense bush. Infantry had the edge - tanks were equally useless in dense bush. We let the tanks do the bundu bashing and followed their tracks - you have much less punctures that way! 😁 Out in the open - we scouted for the tanks - one ridge to the next. In Lohatla I recall climbing a steep hard rocky hill, the tanks could not follow, their tracks slipped or something. We went on a crawl with diff locks engaged, straight up - I could not deflect my gun to see the ridge - with about 10 deg deflection it is no surprise, but it also meant we had no way of shooting back unless the commander takes it on with his browning.
Can this cat be tamed?
Quick comment, this vehicle was not designed by Denel as claimed in your video.
G 8 zırhlı lastik tekerlekli 8.8 araç üzerine l 2 a8 zırhlı kulesine 130mm tank topunu zırhlı kulesine entegre ettim etkili mevzIl 35km azmi mevzil 60km mühimmat bölüm entegre ettim zırhlı kulesine 30mm 3namlulu makineli topu entegre ettim 800kw lazer topunu entegre ettim kulesine iki yanina omtas tank savar füze savunma sistemi entegre ettim insansı robot pilot lar kullanacak
I belive they did choose a name that equals to whip in finnish -maybe on purpose
Rooikat means red cat in Afrikaans - the Afrikaans name for an African caracal cat.
Came across it in a war novel.
I don't understand why they didn't mount a 90mm cannon if this vehicle was designed due to AML being weak.
90mm was a low-pressure gun, 76mm is high-pressure = more kinetic energy, even though smaller calibre
Can carry more ammo, important when doing deep raids far from supply. Besides, primary rounds normally employed are HE. It was felt that the slight increase in the 90mm rounds were more than offset by the number of rounds carried by the smaller calibre. .
@@ramonignaciogarcia8638 Still doesn't make sense, they said that AML wasn't strong enough but a 76mm is?
A question of balanced priorities. Given the length and distance of operations against SWAPO, it was decided the greater quantity of 76mm rnds carried outweighed the lesser HE content vis a vis the 90mm. As in WW2 with the STUG IIIs, the primary role is infantry support and the primary round is the HE (approx 5-7 to 1 vs AP.).
@@ramonignaciogarcia8638 I get the pros and cons, but the whole reason they looked for a new vehicle was to get more firepower as 90mm cannon wasn't enough. So given such a strict priority 76mm would be totally useless.
You need to stop slamming that door, someday its gonna break
I shed a tear for the loss of the South Africa I remember as a teenager in the 80’s. All these amazing tanks and SP guns were incredible designs and now the government can’t even do basic maintenance and asked the Cubans for help on how to fix things. But no matter what, it’ll all still be the white mans fault, one day maybe the blacks will get smart enough to govern themselves.
Yes 'one day' , maybe in the next century.
@@craigbritz1684I deeply hope they are able to rise to the need, they inherited an extremely advanced military given the restrictions. I’m a retired US Army tank destroyer and in the 80’s I saw SA and Rhodesian vehicles being fielded that were amazing then someone just flipped the switch off and everything came to a screeching halt with their military and government. Amazing what my people can develop even with embargoes and restrictions.
The 76mm gun on the Rooikat can certainly disable all tanks by simply aiming for the tracks, rear or lower sides. The shell case is very large, the round is high velocity and the gun and the roinds are a modification of the 76mm Oto Melara naval gun. There is also a 105mm version that can cause even more damage to tanks. However the 76mm Rooikat is an excellent infantry support vehicle. The Boxer is in no way superior in such a role being a bulky personnel carrier. Mounting an 105mm, 120mm or even 90mm anti tank gun on a Boxer is not a good way to go but yes smaller calibres such as 50mm and less are viable.
No reactive armour renders this vehicle highly vulnerable to attacks by other tanks or anti-tank weapons.
True,but it wasnt made to engage tanks but it did have the fire power to take one out ONLY IF it had first round.
That's why it is capable of running away at high speed 🤣
the rooikat one armored vehicle can have wheels not ttacks.
They export model goes for roughly 280,000 USD, Get your life savings ready and move somewhere the ATF can't find you. lol
Born on the battlefield Now copied by everyone
i agree
The Cuban BTR-60 upgraded with T-54/55 turret and 100mm gun is same level of battle quality and his cost is lower! One shot of 100mm and Rooikat is down.
But is it faster? The rooikat is not used for direct tank attacks but for flanking and yet again its just an armored reconnaissance vehicle and not a MBT ( main battle tank)
@@zakthiart7594 took data from the prototype 2S14 "Zhalo-S 19.2 tons 2x120hp road speed 80kph BTR-70 Chassis. BTR-60PB 18.4 tons. I don't know the maximum tonnage after the reconstruction, but I estimate that the speed will also be 80 kph. Which is not fast as Rooikat. But they took the cost and firepower so sufficient in an urban environment. It is clear that Rooikat was made on the savannah. But the reconstruction of the decommissioned T-54/55 and BTR-60PD is very cheap
@Scaucy man 2.0 Its more for urban battle and Cuba terrain is not South afrika
@Scaucy man 2.0 Yes, it has a similar use as the Stryker M1128, but Rooikat reconnaissance vehicle have also anti-tank and fire support role!
Perhaps one round in the turret for e.g will take the cat out, but in a contact you you won't find just one car they operate in troops of four, because the cat is more manouverable it's possible to attack the tanks flanks IF all four target one tank.
Look like a Abrams on wheels
Can it defait an RPG?
No. To be fair not many MBTs can.
It probably could if you fitted it with slat armour or era panels
Its disturbing to hear so many screwed up facts from this channel. Pls do some better homework and refrain from downgrading negative fake facts. Your insite in military equipment and strategy is under question.
Un-subscribing..you should use both metric and Imperial measurements.
Get into the modern world please. Imperial went out of fashion at least 200 years ago.
Haha, who needs imperial measurements today?
What a dummy spit.
who needs you ?
Hahaha backwards americans