SAMIL Trucks (South African MILitary)

SAMIL Trucks

SAMIL Trucks (South African MILitary) are the standard logistical transport vehicles of the South African National Defence Force, re-manufactured by Truck-Makers in Rosslyn, Pretoria, Drakensberg Truck Manufacturers in Wallmannsthal, N1 Trucks in Wallmansthal and Transvaal Motors in Boksburg. The civilian versions of these trucks are called SAMAG (South African MAGirus). 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 thus an ideal vehicle for the South African Army.

In recent years, reconditioned and re-manufactured ex-military 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.

Types

Essentially upgraded versions of Magirus Deutz diesel-engined trucks, the range includes the following vehicles:

SAMIL 20

 Rhino mine-protected APC at Air Force Base Swartkop.

 SAMIL 20

1978 SAMIL-20 Mk-I, 4×4

The SAMIL 20 is an upgraded Magirus Deutz 130M7FAL 4×4 2-ton (load) truck.

The initial SAMIL 20 Mark I model was air-cooled, but the later SAMIL 20 Mark II was fitted with a lighter South African-manufactured water-cooled Atlantis Diesel Engines (ADE) motor because of sanctions-era restrictions imposed by United Nations Security Council Resolution 418. It also had a lighter fuel tank and a modified transmission.

The Bulldog and Rhino Buffel variants are based on the SAMIL 20.

SAMIL 50

 SANDF Samil 50

1979 SAMIL-50 Mk-I, 4×4

1986 SAMIL-50 Mk-II partially armoured evacuation vehicle, 4×4

The SAMIL 50 is an upgraded Magirus Deutz 192D12AL 4×4 5-ton (load) truck. Classified as a medium truck, it has a canvas cover over a steel framework around the cargo area; seats for up to 40 passengers may be installed along the sides or down the center, back to back. Variants include a communications vehicle, battery-charging vehicle, welding shop, tanker, field kitchen, mobile personnel shower and container transporter.

As with the SAMIL 20, the initial SAMIL 50 Mark I model was air-cooled, but the later SAMIL 50 Mark II was fitted with a lighter water-cooled ADE motor, a lighter fuel tank and a modified transmission. The Mark II has the same range of variants as the Mark I.

SAMIL 100

1983 SAMIL-100 Truckmaster, 6×6

 SAMIL 100 carrying a Vulture UAV.

Samil 100 Kwevoel Armoured Truck

That’s it.