Medium Turret Technology Demonstrator

Crew: 3

Combat Mass: 28.5 tons

Armament: 105 mm GT-7 Gun

Engine: Twin-turbocharged, water cooled, 10-cylinder diesel Atlantis engine fitted with an intercooler which can produce 563 hp @ 2400rpm. (20.1 hp/t).

Transmission: Hydro-mechanical, manual shift, drop-down gearbox. The gear selection range consists of six forward, a neutral and one reverse gear.

Suspension: Fully independent internally driven trailing arms, coil springs and shock-absorbers.

Fording: Without preparation: 1.2 meters

Speed: Road 120 km/h - Cross Country 50 km/h

Operating Range: Road 1000 km - Cross Country 500 km

MTTD – A Tank by Other Means

During South Africa’s prolonged Border War (1966–1989), the country was forced to innovate in isolation. International sanctions and arms embargoes imposed due to Apartheid policies meant that access to foreign military hardware was severely restricted. Yet, in the face of these constraints, South Africa developed one of the most sophisticated and self-reliant military-industrial complexes in the world.

The success of vehicles such as the Ratel Infantry Fighting Vehicle—the first wheeled IFV to be mass-produced—along with the mine-resistant Casspir and Buffel APCs, underscored the ingenuity of South African defence engineers. These vehicles would later influence international designs and doctrine. Perhaps most notable was the Rooikat, a wheeled armoured fighting vehicle designed for long-range, high-speed fire missions, proving the effectiveness of wheeled mobility in Southern Africa’s demanding terrain.

Amid this innovation, the development of a Main Battle Tank (MBT) emerged under Project LOGGIM, leading to the advanced TTD (Tank Technology Demonstrator). Although never fielded, the TTD showcased South Africa’s ability to compete with the best in global armoured warfare.

However, by the late 1980s, a shift in thinking was occurring within the South African Defence Force (SADF). Military planners began questioning whether the traditional concept of a tank—defined by thick, heavy armour and overwhelming firepower—remained viable in a modern combat environment. The challenges of African terrain, along with increasing reliance on mobility, electronic warfare, and anti-tank guided missiles, required a new approach.

Rethinking the Tank

Out of this re-evaluation came a revolutionary concept: to build “a tank by other means.” Rather than compete in a global arms race of ever-heavier MBTs, South African engineers envisioned a highly mobile platform with advanced situational awareness, survivability, and firepower, without relying solely on passive armour.

The idea was to use Active Protection Systems (APS) to compensate for reduced passive protection. APS would intercept or confuse enemy threats—such as anti-tank missiles or kinetic energy penetrators—before they could impact the vehicle. This concept, initially viewed with scepticism, began to gain traction thanks to advocates like Lieutenant General Reginald Otto and Brigadier General Wouter Lombaart, both of whom championed the integration of cutting-edge protection systems.

The Rexnord Program was established to explore the feasibility of such systems for the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). Under Rexnord 4, two major APS technologies were developed:

A kinetic kill system, capable of shooting down incoming projectiles.
A multi-spectrum laser absorption foam, intended to interfere with enemy laser-guided targeting and force hostile elements to come closer—thereby placing them within range of the vehicle’s own weapons.

The Birth of the MTTD

In 1995, the MTTD (Meduim Turret Technology Demonstrator) was born. It was not intended as a combat-ready tank, but rather as a modular platform for testing innovations in protection, firepower, and crew survivability. The MTTD reused the hull and turret base from previous projects but was extensively modified to trial new technologies.

One of its most striking features was the unmanned turret, which significantly enhanced crew survivability. Instead of sitting directly under the gun, the crew was housed deep in the hull behind armour and bulkheads. The MTTD’s turret was remotely operated, with advanced optics and sensors giving the crew full battlefield awareness.

The MTTD also tested the LIW GT-8 105 mm low-recoil main gun, a lightweight weapon with high velocity, suitable for a fast-moving platform. The turret design left room for a future 120 mm cannon, aligning with international MBT standards. Ammunition was housed in a rear-mounted bustle autoloader, reducing the risk to crew from ammo cook-off.

To deal with close-range threats, a remotely operated grenade launcher turret was added—one of the first of its kind to be considered for such integration. Meanwhile, the APS suite progressed rapidly. Field tests at Wallmansthal demonstrated the effectiveness of soft-kill systems using multi-spectral smoke grenades to blind enemy sensors and laser range finders.

Innovation Amid Change

Despite its promise, the MTTD was developed during a time of major political and strategic transition. With the advent of democracy in 1994, South Africa's defence priorities shifted. The lifting of international sanctions allowed for imported military technology, and defence budgets were slashed in favour of domestic reconstruction. Projects like the MTTD, which required sustained investment and long-term commitment, lost momentum.

Moreover, by the early 2000s, the concept of APS had become more mainstream internationally, but few nations had yet perfected operational systems. South Africa was simply ahead of its time—and no longer in a position to sustain large-scale armoured vehicle production.

Legacy of the MTTD

Although it never entered service, the MTTD remains a landmark achievement in the history of South African armoured vehicle design. It signalled a departure from traditional tank doctrine and helped lay the groundwork for modern concepts of modular survivability, crew protection, and active defence.

Lessons learned from the MTTD programme continue to inform military vehicle design worldwide, especially as more nations adopt APS technologies and explore remote turret systems. The MTTD also reflects a uniquely South African approach to warfare—adaptive, resourceful, and strategically bold.

This vehicle stands as a symbol of innovation under adversity and exemplifies what can be achieved when strategic necessity meets creative engineering. As part of South Africa’s military heritage, the MTTD deserves recognition not only as a “tank by other means” but as a visionary step toward the future of armoured warfare.

Source: SOUTH AFRICAN ARMOURED VEHICLES: A History of Innovation and Excellence