×
Aircraft / Aviation Vehicles & Artillery Infantry Arms Warships & Submarines Military Pay Chart (2023) Military Ranks
Advertisements
HOME
ARMOR
MODERN ARMIES
COUNTRIES
MANUFACTURERS
COMPARE
BY CONFLICT
BY TYPE
BY DECADE
ANGOLAN BUSH WAR
COLD WAR

Land Systems / Battlefield


Buffel


Mine-Resistant, Ambush-Protected (MRAP) Vehicle [ 1975 ]



Succeeded by the Mamba in South African service, the Buffel MRAP continues on with other global players today.



Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 06/12/2017 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

GO TO SPECIFICATIONS [+]
Advertisements
The South African Army learned very early on the importance of Mine-resistant, Ambush-Protected (MRAP) vehicles, particularly during its various neighboring wars including the long-running South African Border War (1966-1990). In time, the Buffel appeared as a product of local ingenuity and industry. The type was given a high ground clearance and V-shaped hull to better deflect blasts from mines and other hidden explosives. Armor protection shielded the crew and passengers from some battlefield dangers - namely small arms fire and shell splinters - but the Army got itself a go-anywhere vehicle suitable for the inhospitable terrains common to the region. Upon entering service in 1978, the Buffel became the first successful mine-resistant vehicle, spawning a whole new line of military and security vehicles that remains in demand today.

The original production model was known simply as the Buffel and these were built atop the existing framework of the West German Mercedes-Benz U416-162 UNIMOG truck (detailed elsewhere on this site). An armored hull was fitted that enclosed the driver and passengers (up to ten) in separate compartments. The driver took up a position at front-left which forced the engine's placement to his right.©MilitaryFactory.com
Advertisements
Then followed the Buffel Mk.1 which featured an improved engine and bumper configuration. The Buffel Mk.1B saw its drum braking system replaced by disc brake units. The Buffel Mk.1 also formed the basis for the "Log Buffel" cargo-hauler. The Buffel Mk.IIA were Mk.1 models with a wholly-enclosed passenger compartment and further protected by bullet-resistant windows. An exit door was added to the rear facing of the passenger compartment for quicker entry-exit. This version came to be known as the "Moffel". The Buffel Mk.IIB became its dedicated cargo-hauler variant. The "Bulldog" was used as a local base patroller (SAMIL 20 truck body) and the "Ystervark" served as a Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun (SPAAG) platform. The "Rhino" was based on the aforementioned Bulldog development with a fully-enclosed driver and passenger compartment.

The South African Army managed a stock of about 2,400 to 2,500 Buffels for the vehicle's time in frontline service. In 1995, the veteran Buffel line was given up in favor of the Mamba (detailed elsewhere on this site). It was also seen in the inventories of Malawi, Sri Lanka (as the "Unicorn" and "Unibuffel"), Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The series was also operated by Rhodesia and the United Nations.©MilitaryFactory.com
Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.
Advertisements

Specifications



Service Year
1975

Origin
South Africa national flag graphic
South Africa

Crew
1
CREWMEN
Production
2,505
UNITS


State Factories - South Africa
(View other Vehicle-Related Manufacturers)
National flag of South Africa National flag of Sri Lanka National flag of Uganda National flag of Zambia National flag of Zimbabwe Malawai; Sri Lanka; South Africa; Uganda; United Nations; Zambia; Zimbabwe
(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)
Armored Car
Design, of typically lightweight nature, providing onroad/offroad capabilities for the scouting or general security roles.
MRAP
Designed to withstand attacks from mines and ambushes through specialized design and survivability features.
Reconaissance
Can conduct reconnaissance / scout missions to assess threat levels, enemy strength, et al - typically through lightweight design.


Length
16.7 ft
5.1 m
Width
6.7 ft
2.05 m
Height
9.7 ft
2.95 m
Weight
13,536 lb
6,140 kg
Tonnage
6.8 tons
LIGHT
(Showcased structural values pertain to the base Buffel production variant. Length typically includes main gun in forward position if applicable to the design)
Powerplant: 1 x Mercedes-Benz OM352 6-cylinder OR Atlantis Diesel Engines 352 6-cylinder diesel-fueled engine of 165 horsepower.
Speed
59.0 mph
(95.0 kph)
Range
621.4 mi
(1,000.0 km)
(Showcased performance specifications pertain to the base Buffel production variant. Compare this entry against any other in our database)
Variable: Can include various 7.62mm light and medium machine guns.


Supported Types


Graphical image of a tank medium machine gun


(Not all weapon types may be represented in the showcase above)
Dependent upon armament fit.


Buffel - Original Production Model; base series name.
Buffel Mk.1 - Revised engine fit; bumper protection
Buffel Mk.1B - Disc brakes
Log Buffel - Cargo-hauler
Unicorn - Buffel model for Sri Lanka
Unibuffel - Buffel Mk.1 model for Sri Lanka.
Buffel Mk.IIA (Moffel) - Rebuild Mk.1 models; Tata series engines; enclosed passenger compartment; rear entry-exit doors.
Buffel Mk.IIB - Cargo-hauler
Bulldog - SAMIL 20 truck bodies
Rhino - Based on the Bulldog; enclosed / integrated driver / passenger compartment.


Military lapel ribbon for the American Civil War
Military lapel ribbon for pioneering aircraft
Military lapel ribbon for the Arab-Israeli War
Military lapel ribbon for the Battle of the Bulge
Military lapel ribbon for the Battle of Kursk
Military lapel ribbon for the Cold War
Military lapel ribbon for the Falklands War
Military lapel ribbon for the Indo-Pak Wars
Military lapel ribbon for the Korean War
Military lapel ribbon for the 1991 Gulf War
Military lapel ribbon representing modern aircraft
Military lapel ribbon for the Soviet-Afghan War
Military lapel ribbon for the Spanish Civil War
Military lapel ribbon for the Ukranian-Russian War
Military lapel ribbon for the Vietnam War
Military lapel ribbon for the World War 1
Military lapel ribbon for the World War 2
Military lapel ribbon for the Yom Kippur War
Military lapel ribbon for experimental military vehicles


Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective campaigns / operations.

Advertisements




Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Cookies


2023 Military Pay Chart Military Ranks DoD Dictionary Conversion Calculators Military Alphabet Code Military Map Symbols

The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com.

Part of a network of sites that includes GlobalFirepower, a data-driven property used in ranking the top military powers of the world, WDMMA.org (World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft), WDMMW.org (World Directory of Modern Military Warships), SR71blackbird.org, detailing the history of the world's most iconic spyplane, and MilitaryRibbons.info, cataloguing all American military medals and ribbons.


© www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2003- (yrs)