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A light armoured car with permanent 4x4 drive gives it exceptional mobility. It can carry either a 90 mm quick firing low pressure gun, or a 60 mm breech loading mortar as main weapons. Night vision equipment provides effective night time operations, and it is provided with an excellent telecommunications system.
South Africa signed a contract with the French company Panhard for AML armoured cars. 100 were delivered from France and local production started in 1962 for 500 units. Later further production was undertaken - bringing the total number of locally produced vehicles to 1300. The Eland MK7 Diesel Turbo (DT) is derived from the Panhard AML 60-7 armoured car and has been extensively modified (e.g. diesel conversion) by Reumech OMC for use in the very harsh African environment. Some were exported to Zimbabwe. The South African Army has replaced the Eland with the Rooikat.
See also: Infantry fighting vehicle and List_of_AFVs.