![]() Operation Savannah led to the need of further tank trials under Project Semel. Thus, the Operation Savannah in 1975 saw the lightly armoured South African forces in Angola threatened by large formations of Soviet tanks supplied to the People's Armed Forces for the Liberation of Angola (FAPLA) and their Cuban allies. The British Centurion tanks were the South African main battle tanks since 1957, but they were sold or relegated to reserve roles as a result of maintenance problems compounded by parts shortages and a tendency to overheat in the hot African climate. Although based on a Centurion tank hull, it has a locally produced gun, power pack, transmission, tracks, wheels and fire control system and thus, at least the Olifant 2 can be seen as almost a new tank. The Olifant is considered the best indigenous tank design on the African continent. These tanks were heavily redesigned and rebuilt by South Africa since 1976 with some help of Israel. It was developed from the British Centurion tank since 1976. The Olifant ( Afrikaans: Elephant) is the primary main battle tank of South Africa.
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