This whole thing was so stupid and unnecessary in the first place. the SAF never needed the Terrex and never asked for it. The SAF has always operated tracked infantry fighting vehicles for decades going back to the M113 and Bionix. The only role that wheeled AFVs had in the last 40 years in the SAF was for specialty roles like mobile SAM platform and airbase security under ADA, using the Cadillac Cage V100 and V200 4 wheeled vehicles. For some reason, some dumbshit asshole in ST wanted to try a repeat of the SA-80 assault rifle debacle of the 1980s. they contracted with Timoney, the drunken Irish AFV makers, to build the Terrex for the export market. ST was planning to sell it overseas to generate sales. Someone forgot to tell them that the market for wheeled AFV is quite limited in the world. To make the Terrex more marketable, it was decided that the SAF will purchase a token 135 vehicles, so that at least ST can claim the vehicle is in service some where.
Having now been stuck with the Terrex, the SAF had to make up some tactical doctrine for its use. Hence the formation of the motorized infantry battalions like 2 and 5 SIR. Their specialty is doing urban assaults and fighting in FIBUA. This is not the vehicle for urban warfare, in fact no one in the world uses a wheeled IFV dedicated for urban warfare. They use wheeled IFVs for reconnaissance, scouting, quick reaction force, etc. For urban fighting, you need the heaviest armoured IFV you can find. The ISraelis who have a lot experience attacking Palestinian and Lebanon urban areas use converted Centurion tanks as their APC and IFV vehicles. these vehicles are so heavily armoured and they are tracked vehicles, they can take multiple RPG hits and IEDs. I just don't see a Terrex surviving long in a urban environment filled with many threats.
SAF and MINDEAF must be really tulan now at what is happening in the Terrex confiscation nightmare.
Having now been stuck with the Terrex, the SAF had to make up some tactical doctrine for its use. Hence the formation of the motorized infantry battalions like 2 and 5 SIR. Their specialty is doing urban assaults and fighting in FIBUA. This is not the vehicle for urban warfare, in fact no one in the world uses a wheeled IFV dedicated for urban warfare. They use wheeled IFVs for reconnaissance, scouting, quick reaction force, etc. For urban fighting, you need the heaviest armoured IFV you can find. The ISraelis who have a lot experience attacking Palestinian and Lebanon urban areas use converted Centurion tanks as their APC and IFV vehicles. these vehicles are so heavily armoured and they are tracked vehicles, they can take multiple RPG hits and IEDs. I just don't see a Terrex surviving long in a urban environment filled with many threats.
SAF and MINDEAF must be really tulan now at what is happening in the Terrex confiscation nightmare.
