In the early 1980s, the South African Defence Force realised the need during the South African Border War for a dedicated attack helicopter to conduct strike missions against armour and anti-air positions, and escort helicopter transports. However, under a UN arms embargo at the time, South Africa had to look to domestic designers to fulfil these requirements. Thus, in 1984, development of the Denel Rooivalk began, from the basis of the Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma. While it would have its first flight in 1990, budget limitations and desires for increasingly advanced capabilities would mean that it would only enter service in 2011. Originally also planned for export, new development was ceased after the design lost to the Italian A129 Mangusta in Turkey in 2007. 11 helicopters are presently operated by the South African Air Force, flown by 16 Squadron from AFB Bloemspruit, Bloemfontein. They have seen service in a number of UN operations, including in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Introduced in Update "Drone Age" but was removed from the Gaijin store after the War Thunder 11th Anniversary sale. The Rooivalk provides a fearsome attack helicopter addition to the British tech tree. Equipped with armaments and systems that rival the vaunted Apache helicopter family, with considerable air-to-air defensive capabilities and hard-hitting ground attack loadouts, the Roovialk Mk1F CSH can be a devastating asset available to employ by British helicopter pilots. Equipped with laser warning systems, MAWS systems, and NVG/thermal vision, pilots can focus on delivering hard-hitting ordnance without having to have their heads on a constant swivel. The deadly Mokopa ATGMs with tandem warheads provide an efficient means of dispatching enemy ground targets, while Mistral AAMs pose a serious threat to enemy aircraft within the Rooivalk's airspace, providing all-aspect IR missiles replete with ECCM features. Last but not least, a fast firing and reliable 20 mm gun mounted under the nose can be used to deal with softer targets and slow-moving enemy aircraft.