Does anyone have any photos of the Olifant Mk.1B/2 Transmission? I've recently been doing a deep dive into the Olifant tank series since it holds a special place in my heart. The one thing I haven't been able to find out is the physical design of the Amtra 3 transmission used in the Mk.1B and Mk.2.
SA did not have the ability to develop and construct a MBT transmission (it's a pretty big deal). It did not need to either. The tank's Continental engines were imported (Israel?), and the transmissions could be sourced in the same way. The AMTRA transmission is most likely a slightly modified Allison CB-850 cross-drive unit. If not, it could be a ZF or Renk unit. The Ratel also uses a Renk transmission.
 
Gear Ratio had the capability to design and manufacture transmissions, either in-house custom designs, or established designs.
They mainly do (or did) military and large earth moving equipment for Bell.
Bell seem to have moved exclusively to Allison recently for its articulated truck range.

I'm not sure about the AMTRA 3 design, but two reports I've seen say it was either assembled or manufactured by Gear Ratio.

Gear Ratio were also the contractors to maintain that particular component of the Olifant fleet.

Just an example, the G6 uses an "OMC auto transmission which is from the Renk family".
I strongly suspect Gear Ratio was set up to locally manufacture and assemble transmission systems under licence during the sanction years, to circumvent embargoes.

 
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Like I've stated before - these days you have to refer to foreign companies to see and get updates on the latest South African vehicle developments and upgrades. Here's some of the RG-35's latest upgrades (obviously done by mostly, if not all of a South African engineering team..).
Do you have any more pictures or information about the Jais Mk. 2? Also, I've noticed some examples have armor plates over the side door next to the RWS. Does anyone have an idea as to the purpose of those? My first thought was that it provides cover for someone trying to reload the RWS through a roof hatch, but I'm not sure there is a hatch there with the RWS installed, and it doesn't seem like it's in the right position for that purpose.
 
A great solution for countering drones
 
Some information about Mbombe 8:

The vehicle was first seen at KADEX 2016, then at AAD Expo 2016 & 2018. There are two variants advertised by Paramount Defense—one with a 30mm autocannon and one with a 57mm autocannon (I'll refer to the former as the Mbombe 8 (30) and the latter as the Mbombe 8 (57), these are not official designations but they assist with brevity).

The Mbombe 8 (57) was the first one to be revealed at KADEX 2016 and was seen again at AAD Expo 2016. The Au-220M turret installed, at least on the one seen at KADEX, is a mockup.

The Mbombe 8 (30) was revealed at AAD Expo 2018 and features a unique turret with a 2A42 autocannon. I imagine the SANDF could probably procure the Mbombe if issues persist with the Badger.

It is in service in Kazakhstan under the name Barys 8x8, albeit armed with an Indigenous turret (named Ansar) armed with a 2A72 autocannon.
 

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Denel have other 8x8 hulls like the RG41 as well if the issues with the Badger is due to Patria rather than themselves.
I have a hard time seeing how it could be Patria. They haven't had an issue building AMVs, and Poland has built over a thousand Rosomaks without problems so it can't be technology transfer that's the issue. It has to be local, but whether that's at the governmental level, with management, or an inadequate workforce, or some of all of the above, or something or somethings else is an open question.
 

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