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The Buffel (English: Buffalo) 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.

Production history

The Buffel was the first truly effective landmine-protected armored personnel carrier to enter service anywhere. The South African Army began deploying it in the operational area from 1978. The Buffel was an improvement over the Bosvark which offered little protection to the driver. In 1974, 54 Mercedes-Benz Unimog 416–162 chassis had been hastily converted into Bosvarks by 61 Base Workshops in Pretoria. The Bosvark offered limited landmine protection to the crew, but compensated for this with good off-road mobility. It is estimated that around 2,400 Buffels were delivered before production stopped. Sri Lanka purchased Buffels in the 1980s, and in the early 1990s the vehicle was exported to Uganda.

Variants

SAA variants

thumb|Buffel Mk IIA at the Gerotek Test site.

  • Buffel - original
  • Buffel Mk 1 - Improved engine and bush guard (bumper)
  • Buffel Mk 1B - Disc brakes replaced drum brakes
  • : 47;
  • : 55; 20 in service with the army and 35 in service with the national police.
  • United Nations Mission in South Sudan: 3
  • : 1; Rhino variant.

Former operators

  • : Formerly around 2,400 in service; all retired and replaced by the Mamba.

Combat history

  • Rhodesian Bush War
  • Angolan Civil War
  • South African Border War
  • Second Congo War
  • Sri Lankan Civil War

See also

Vehicles of comparable role, performance, and era

  • Unibuffel
  • Unicorn APC
  • Gazelle FRV
  • Hippo APC
  • Casspir

References

Bibliography

  • Steve Camp & Helmoed-Römer Heitman, Surviving the Ride – A Pictorial History of South African-Manufactured Armoured Vehicles, 30 Degrees South Publishers, Johannesburg (South Africa) 2014. – [https://www.30degreessouth.co.za/surviving_the_ride.htm]
  • Jane's Land Warfare Platforms 2014/2015: Logistics, Support & Unmanned – Jane’s Land Warfare Platforms: Logistics, Support & Unmanned
  • Jane's Land Warfare Platforms 2015-2016: Logistics, Support & Unmanned
  • Jane's Military Vehicles & Logistics 2004-2005 – Jane’s Land Warfare Platforms: Logistics, Support & Unmanned
  • Video footage - Buffel
  • Video - The South African Buffel & How an MRAP Works
  • Buffel Mine-protected APC/ video footage