[Coming Soon] G6 Platoon: The Pride of Africa

Platoon G6 (Rank V)

Historical note

In the early 1970s, the South African Army began a program to modernize its own artillery, including self-propelled howitzer. Thus, for the Canadian 155-mm G5 howitzers taken into service, a program for the development of a self-propelled unit was launched. In 1981, the ARMSCOR company presented the first prototype SPH called G6 Rhino (“rhino”), and a few years later the first prototype batch of vehicles was sent to participate in the South African Border War. The military appreciated also the SPH's excellent performance – the wheelbase was perfectly suited to the conditions of combat operations in South Africa.

Serial production of the G6 Rhino continued until 1994, and more than 150 units of this SPH were produced, including for foreign operators – UAE and Oman.

G6

The new SPH G6 Rhino is a fresh look at the concept of a self-propelled large-caliber machine, the main difference from the usual vehicles of this class will be the wheeled chassis. On the one hand, the G6 feels good on flat roads, where a massive SPH can move at the speed of an average tank. On the other hand, the long base increases the turning radius, and on off-road the wheels lose to the tracks.

The G6 155mm long-barreled howitzer can fire both conventional HE and HE-VT, both of which contain a very high amount of explosives. Not every enemy can survive the G6's heavy high-explosive rounds, as these shells deal huge damage even without penetrating armor. However, it's worth noting the limited angles of horizontal guidance – no more than ±40° relative to the vehicle's centerline.

G6 Rhino is not a first line fighter, the most advantageous is to use the massive wheeled SPH as a support vehicle for a group of allied tanks in the attack or defense of a position – so it is easier to find cover, and there is no need to set speed records. But every shot of the African self-propelled howitzer has a good chance to send the hesitant enemy to the hangar at once!

Who will be the G6 platoon mates and have the allies' backs if the situation calls for it?

Charioteer Mk.VII

The British medium tank Charioteer Mk.VII can't boast of serious armor, but its speed, damage and rate of fire deserve close attention! The commander will have at his disposal a very agile tank with an excellent 20-pound cannon (84mm) and excellent armor-piercing shells – a solid “chuck” with stable damage for most enemies, and an APDS for the toughest enemies.

Ratel 90

The Ratel 90 (“badger”) was South Africa's first production wheeled combat vehicle to enter service. The role of this light wheeled vehicle in combat is to stealthily hunt tanks and capture points in urban areas. The armor of the IFV can only hold back machine gun fire, but the 90mm cannon with its high damage and excellent rate of fire will be dangerous for any enemy encountered.

Ystervark

The distinctive South African Ystervark (“porcupine”) is a concentration of speed and rapid fire! The 20mm belt-fed autocannon has both HE and APHE shells, and the lightweight wheeled chassis with high power-to-weight ratio will quickly get the most desperate commanders into enemy flanks or into an unexpected ambush position!

*Platoon vehicle lineup, vehicle specifications and camouflages are still under development and may differ from those in this article.

The G6 (Rank V) Platoon will be available in the Medium Trophy of the Tank Campaign with the start of the new Season.