New Tech Tree Branch: Cold War Independents

FEB. 20, 2026

NEWS

As you know, the history of tanks often takes interesting turns: after a model is developed and put into service, you never know where it’ll end up and what kinds of innovation it will inspire in armored vehicle development.

This new Tech Tree branch highlights exactly this aspect of tank history. Starting February 24, you’ll be able to bring three distinct evolutions of the Centurion into battle, developed by different countries: South Africa and Israel.

Here are the machines that will be available in Cold War mode starting Tuesday the 24th:

Olifant MK1A
Sho't Kal Gimel
Olifant MK1B

These tanks branch off from the Post-War Era (Era 1) Tiran 5 Shahir and lead back into the Détente Era (Era 3) Merkava Mk. 1. Read on to learn more about them!

Tank: Olifant MK1A

Era: Escalation (Era 2)
Affiliation: Independent
Class: Medium
Purchase Cost: 1,760,000 Silver
XP Cost: 89,100 XP
Follows the Tiran 5 Shahir
Leads to the Sho’t Kal Gimel

Background Information

As a former member of the British Commonwealth, South Africa was able to purchase a number of Centurion tanks in the 1950s. However, after departing the Commonwealth in 1961 and later becoming subject to trade embargos, it turned to domestic initiatives to update its tanks.

The Oliphant main battle tank project followed the Skokiaan and Semel initiatives, with development of the Oliphant Mk. 1 beginning in 1976. The Oliphant Mk. 1A variant entered service almost a decade later, in 1985, and featured such improvements as a 105mm rifled gun and a laser rangefinder for the gunner.

Tank Characteristics: Olifant MK1A - Fully Upgraded

Matchmaking: Plays Escalation Era (Era 2)
Hit Points: 2,450
Engine Power: 950 hpr
Power/Weight Ratio: 16.96 hp/t
Speed Limit: 62.3 km/h
Reverse Speed: 27.5 km/h
Hull Traverse Speed: 42 deg/sec
Turret Traverse Speed: 38 deg/sec
Penetration: 426/494/230
Damage: 460/460/570
Aim Time: 2 sec
Accuracy: 0.26
Rate of Fire: 7.79 rounds/min
Reload Time: 7.7 sec
Damage Per Minute: 3,583
Gun Depression: 10 deg
Gun Elevation: 20 deg
Max Ammo Capacity: 72 rounds
Shell 1 Type/Speed: APFSDS/1,455
Shell 2 Type/Speed: APFSDS/1,494
Shell 3 Type/Speed: HESH/731
View Range: 530 m
Signal Range: 630 m
Detectability Range - Still: 382.55 m
Detectability Range - Moving: 411.8 m

Tank: Sho't Kal Gimel

Era: Escalation (Era 2)
Affiliation: Independent
Class: Medium
Purchase Cost: 2,800,000 Silver
XP Cost: 149,000 XP
Follows the Olifant MK1A
Leads to the Olifant MK1B

Background Information

The Sho’t series of tanks was derived from British Centurions that the Israeli army began modernizing in the 1960s and continued developing through the following decades. Sho't Kal tanks featured the Continental diesel engine upgrade; the Sho't Kal Gimel variant also included upgrades to the turret rotation mechanism, the gun stabilizer system, and the fire control system (FCS), as well as support for Blazer explosive reactive armor (ERA).

Tank Characteristics: Sho't Kal Gimel - Fully Upgraded

Matchmaking: Plays Escalation Era (Era 2)
Hit Points: 2,550
Engine Power: 950 hpr
Power/Weight Ratio: 17.57 hp/t
Speed Limit: 64.4 km/h
Reverse Speed: 29.8 km/h
Hull Traverse Speed: 46 deg/sec
Turret Traverse Speed: 38 deg/sec
Penetration: 426/494/230
Damage: 460/460/570
Aim Time: 2 sec
Accuracy: 0.24
Rate of Fire: 8 rounds/min
Reload Time: 7.5 sec
Damage Per Minute: 3,680
Gun Depression: 10 deg
Gun Elevation: 18 deg
Max Ammo Capacity: 72 rounds
Shell 1 Type/Speed: APFSDS/1,455
Shell 2 Type/Speed: APFSDS/1,494
Shell 3 Type/Speed: HESH/731
View Range: 530 m
Signal Range: 640 m
Detectability Range - Still: 394.25 m
Detectability Range - Moving: 420.8 m

Tank: Olifant MK1B

Era: Escalation (Era 2)
Affiliation: Independent
Class: Medium
Purchase Cost: 3,900,000 Silver
XP Cost: 169,000 XP
Follows the Sho’t Kal Gimel
Leads to the Merkava Mk. 1

Background Information

Throughout the 1970s, South Africa redesigned and upgraded the British Centurion tanks in its military, first through the Skokiaan project, then through Project Semel, and eventually through the private-venture Oliphant Manufacturing Company. The Olifant Mk. 1B variant, however, was practically a complete rebuild that retained few of the original Centurion’s features. Improvements included a V-12 diesel engine, a double-armor floor for the hull, and a thermal gun sleeve. Production began in 1991.