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American patrol vehicles do not seem to be keeping up with the IED threat in the Middle East, has there been any definitive testing of the South African vehicles developed to cope with their IED threat experience. They seem well design against explosives from below for crew survival, but what of side or elevated attacks? How much of a problem is the Its-not-made-here in looking into foreign built equipment?

Paul T. Weaver
mumfordlibrarian

An Outsider's view, I wouldn't have thought anything that SA currently has any more relevant than what is being produced in the USA and elsewhere in Germany, UK, Israel,etc.

Considering the fact that Cougar and a variety of other vehicles are based directly on SA designs plus the fact that other designs such as RG-31, 32 & 33 from BAE are primarily made in SA still (at the former OMC facilities).

If one also considers that fact that the next wheeled APC/IFV for SA is going to be based on the Finnish Patria AMV that has to say something about their currrent ability to provide the upper end of MRAP-style vehicles.

IF anything the USA is leaps and bounds ahead of the vast majority with the possible exception of certain Israeli companies such as Plasan Sasa with their involvement with vehicles such as International's Maxxpro and its own GOLAN.

Certainly Plasan Sasa has some advantage when it comes to ERA-equipped light armoured vehicles.

Whether they retain this advantage remains to be seen considering the pace of developments in the USA, UK, Australia and elsewhere.

To my way of thinking, the countries that have people in harm's way are the ones who lead wheeled armoured vehicle developments in particular. He who has the greatest need is always going to be at the forefront of developments.

My two cents worth.............

Regards,

BUG