SAMIL Trucks (South African MILitary) are the standard logistical transport vehicles of the South African National Defence Force (and its predecessor the South African Defence Force). SAMILs are currently re-manufactured by Truck-Makers in Rosslyn, Pretoria, Drakensberg Truck Manufacturers in Wallmansthal, N1 Trucks in Wallmansthal and Transvaal Motors in Boksburg. The civilian versions of these trucks are called SAMAG (South African MAGirus). Original production of these vehicles ended in 1998.
These trucks all have a high-strength chassis, making them capable of handling severe off-road conditions, and are thus an ideal vehicle for the South African Army.
In recent years, reconditioned and remanufactured military surplus SAMIL trucks have also been made available to the private sector and vehicles have been sold to mining groups, exploration companies, contractors, farmers and many other organisations in fields such as tourism and forestry.
Essentially upgraded versions of Magirus Deutz diesel-engined trucks, the range includes the following vehicles:
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)Jane's (1985). Jane's Military Vehicles and Ground Support Equipment. London: Jane's Publishing Company Ltd. ISBN 0-7106-0811-X.
The Buffel is an infantry mobility vehicle used by the South African Defence Force during the South African Border War. The Buffel was also used as an armoured fighting vehicle and proved itself in this role. It replaced the older Bedford RL-based Hippo APC and itself was replaced by the Mamba from 1995 in South Africa, but remains in use elsewhere, notably Sri Lanka.
The Valkiri is a South African self-propelled multiple rocket launcher. It is a 127mm system with a wheeled launcher vehicle, and fire control equipment developed by Armscor. Contemporary models consist of a single launch module with five eight-cell rocket pods on a Unimog or SAMIL-100 carrier. Its mission is to engage in counter-battery strikes against hostile artillery and air defences as far as 36 km (22 mi) away. Other potential warheads include cluster and an anti-tank mine dispenser.
The General Botha Regiment is a reserve infantry regiment of the South African Army. The Regiment was named after General Louis Botha, the first prime minister of South Africa.
The Ciskei Defence Force (CDF) was established during March 1981 from the 141 Battalion of the South African Defence Force (SADF). It was the defence force of Ciskei, a bantustan that was controlled by the apartheid regime of South Africa. The CDF functioned as part of the 21 Battalion based near Lenasia, outside Johannesburg.
The Walid is an Egyptian wheeled armored personnel carrier based on the BTR-40. It was built by the Kader Factory for Developed Industries. It entered production in 1960 and was first deployed by the Egyptian Army during the Six-Day War.
1 South African Infantry Battalion is a mechanized infantry unit of the South African Army.
The Mapungubwe Regiment is a reserve infantry regiment of the South African Army. It traces its history as far back as 1939, and fought in the Second World War, and the Border War after 1966. It was renamed in August 2019.
2 South African Infantry Battalion is a motorised infantry unit of the South African Army.
4 South African Infantry Battalion is a motorised infantry unit of the South African Army.
7 South African Infantry Battalion is a motorised infantry unit of the South African Army.
5 South African Infantry Battalion is a motorised infantry unit of the South African Army.
8 South African Infantry Battalion is a mechanized infantry unit of the South African Army. The battalion is equipped with Ratel Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFV) used for fast transport and combat mobility across rough ground. Support weapons for mechanized infantry are also provided with motorized transport, or are built directly into these IFVs, in order to keep pace with the IFVs in combat. The battalion was raised at Upington in the Northern Cape on 01 October 1973 as part of the South African Infantry Corps, and since the change in structure, has been assigned to the Infantry Formation.
15 South African Infantry Battalion is a motorised infantry unit of the South African Army.
10 South African Infantry Battalion is a motorised infantry unit of the South African Army.
14 South African Infantry Battalion is a motorised infantry unit of the South African Army.
The Bateleur is a South African self-propelled multiple rocket launcher. It is a 127mm system with a wheeled launcher vehicle, disposable pods, and fire control equipment developed by Denel Land Systems. Based on a mine protected Kwêvoël 100 10 ton 6x6 carrier. Its mission is to engage in counter-battery strikes against hostile artillery and air defences as far as 36 km (22 mi) away. Other potential warheads include cluster and an anti-tank mine dispenser. The weapon can fire up to 40 127mm pre-fragmented high explosive warheads to ranges of 7.5km to 36km at sea level singly or using ripple fire, firing up to 1 rocket per second. Reload can take less than 10 minutes and in/out-of-action time is one and two minutes respectively. The system is supported by a Kwêvoël 100 ammunition truck carrying 96 rockets and crew who help with the reloading.
The SAMIL 20 is a 2-ton cargo vehicle produced in South Africa in the mid-1980s and was used as the primary light cargo carrier of the South African National Defence Force. The vehicle design is based on the German Mercedes Unimog chassis and Mark I of this vehicle was based on the Magirus Deutz 130M7FAL 4x4 truck. In Mark II, the engine was replaced with an upgraded South African built water cooled diesel engine. The vehicle is still in use with the SANDF.
The SAMIL 50 is a 4x4 6-ton (load) truck.
The SAMIL 100 is an upgraded Magirus Deutz 320D22AL 6x6 10-ton (load) truck. Classified as a heavy truck, it is made of pressed steel with the cargo area having drop sides and a tailgate.