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SAMIL Trucks (South African MILitary) are the standard logistical transport vehicles of the South African National Defence Force (and its predecessor the South African 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.
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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
The SAMIL 20 is an upgraded Magirus Deutz 130M7FAL 4x4 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 are Buffel variants are based on the SAMIL 20.
SAMIL 50
The SAMIL 50 is an upgraded Magirus Deutz 192D12AL 4x4 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.
SAKOM 50
The SAKOM 50A is a 7-tone 4x2 version of the SAMIL 50. The SAKOM 50 uses a SAMIL 20 cab and is employed on second-line duties.
SAMIL 100
The SAMIL 100 is an upgraded Magirus Deutz 320D22AL 6x6 10-ton (load) truck. Classified as a heavy truck, it is made of pressed steel with the cargo area (capable of carrying up to 50 passengers) having drop sides and a tailgate. Variants include an all-around armoured version, a dump truck, a tanker, an artillery tractor, a field kitchen, a refrigerator truck, an ambulance, a recovery vehicle, a carrier for a multiple rocket launcher as well as a carrier for a 23 mm anti-aircraft gun. The cargo carrier version has a crane with a 1.2-ton capacity.