South African Army

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[[Image:South African Army flag.PNG|thumb|right|250px|Flag of the South African Army.]]
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{| class="toccolours" style="float: right; font-size: 90%; text-align: left; width: 32em;" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1"
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The '''South African Army''' is the branch of the [[South Africa]]n [[:Category:South African Defence Force|military]] tasked with the land defense of the nation. It is the largest, best-trained, and best-equipped branch of the military, by a large margin, and is the backbone of the armed forces. It operates large expeditionary and fixed land forces to accomplish its missions. The State President serves as the largely ceremonial commander-in-chief of the Army. The Army's military commander is Lieutenant General Ken Walls.
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! cellpadding="2" colspan="2" style="text-align:center" style="background:#ccccff;" |<center>South African Army</center>
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|-
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|colspan=2 style="text-align: center"|[[Image:250px-South African Army flag.png|250px]]
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!Active
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|1912 -
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|-
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!Country
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|[[Union of South Africa]]
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|-
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!Branch
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|[[:Category:Armies|Army]]
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|-
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!Size
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|230,000 active personnel
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!Part of
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|Ministry of Defence and National Security
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|-
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!Headquarters
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|Pretoria
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|-
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!Engagements
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|World War I<br>World War II<br>Korean War<br>Angolan Civil War
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|-
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! cellpadding="2" colspan="2" style="text-align:center" style="background:#ccccff;" |<center>Commanders</center>
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|-
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!Commander-in-Chief
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|Governor-General Festus Mogae
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|-
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!Commander
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|Lieutenant General Ken Walls
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|-
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!Notable commanders
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|Louis Botha<br>Jan Smuts<br>Isaac Pierre de Villiers<br>Petrus Jacobs
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|}
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==Combat units==
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The '''South African Army''' is the branch of the [[Union of South Africa|South Africa]]n [[:Category:Union Defence Force|military]] tasked with the land defense of the nation. It is the largest, best-trained, and best-equipped branch of the military, and is the backbone of the armed forces. It operates large expeditionary and fixed land forces to accomplish its missions.
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===Active units===
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* 22 light infantry divisions
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* 8 armored divisions
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* 5 mechanized infantry divisions
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* 4 motorized infantry divisions
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* 2 airborne divisions
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* 2 airmobile divisions
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* 12 special forces brigades
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** 9 counterinsurgency brigades
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** 3 commando brigades
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===Reserve units===
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A highly mechanized and rapidly deployable force, the South African Army is the most powerful on the continent by a wide margin. Employing 230,000 personnel in active duty and another 210,000 in the reserves, it is also one of the largest. Rigorous training standards and top-of-the-line, state-of-the-art weapons ensure that the Army always operates at peak efficiency and is capable of confronting any adversary on the battlefield.
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* 10 light infantry divisions
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* 5 armored divisions
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* 3 mechanized infantry divisions
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* 2 motorized infantry division
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* 1 airborne division
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* 1 airmobile division
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* 8 special forces brigades
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** 6 counterinsurgency brigades
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** 2 commando brigades
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===Combat unit types===
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While much of the South African Army's hardware is procured abroad, a large percentage of it is indigenously produced, making it largely self-sufficient. South African equipment is specially designed to accomodate its diverse climate, and most of its armored vehicles are both light and maneuverable while also highly resistant to mines.
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====Light infantry division====
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The second-most deployable type of division in the Army, the light infantry division is organizationally similar to an airborne division, but differs in that it possess aircraft and a larger number of vehicles.
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The light infantry division has the following advantages:
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The Governor-General serves as the ceremonial commander-in-chief of the Army. The Army's military commander is Lieutenant General Ken Walls.
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#Excellent tactical mobility
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#Strong armament
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#Minimal logistical requirements
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It does, however, have one notable disadvantage:
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==Organization==
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#Poor protection
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===Active units===
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====South African Armoured Corps====
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*1 Special Service Division (Bloemfontein)
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*1 South African Tank Division (Bloemfontein)
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====Armored division====
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====South African Infantry Corps====
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The heaviest type of division in the Army. It is intended to be used at the most difficult spots in both attack and defence. The weight of equipment fielded by an armored division means that it is relegated to a mainly defensive role.
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=====Divisions=====
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*44 Parachute Division (Bloemfontein)
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An armored division has the following advantages:
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=====Brigades=====
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#Excellent tactical mobility
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*1 South African Infantry Brigade (Bloemfontein)
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#Strong armament
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*3 Infantry Brigade Training Depot (Kimberley)
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#Excellent protection
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*4 South African Infantry Brigade (Gaborone)
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*5 South African Infantry Brigade (Windhoek)
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*6 South African Infantry Brigade (Grahamstown)
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*7 South African Infantry Brigade (Phalaborwa)
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*8 South African Infantry Brigade (Manzini)
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*9 South African Infantry Brigade (Cape Town)
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*10 South African Infantry Brigade (Pretoria)
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*14 South African Infantry Brigade (Maseru)
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*15 South African Infantry Brigade (Bulawayo)
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*61 Mechanised Infantry Brigade Group (Upington)
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*115 South African Infantry Brigade (Lilongwe)
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*116 South African Infantry Brigade (Blantyre)
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*118 South African Infantry Brigade (Lusaka)
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*121 South African Infantry Brigade (Mtubatuba)
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It also has the following disadvantage:
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====South African Artillery====
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#Poor strategic mobility
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*4 Artillery Division (Potchefstroom)
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*10 Air Defence Division (Potchefstroom)
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====Mechanized infantry division====
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====South African Engineers====
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Organizationally, a mechanized division is the same as an armored division. It differs, however, in that it uses lighter equipment, and is thus more easily deployable.
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*2 Field Engineer Brigade (Harare)
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*14 Engineer Brigade (Bloemfontein)
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*35 Engineer Support Brigade (Gaborone)
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*1 Construction Engineer Brigade (Pretoria)
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*1 Military Printing Brigade (Pretoria)
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*4 Survey and Mapping Brigade (Bulawayo)
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A mechanized infantry division enjoys the following advantages:
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====South African Special Forces====
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#Excellent tactical mobility
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*5 Special Forces Division (Pretoria)
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#Strong armament
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#Good protection
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#Good strategic mobility
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It has the following disadvantage:
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===Reserve units===
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#Less protection than an armored division
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====Armour====
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*Light Horse Brigade (Johannesburg)
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*Natal Mounted Rifles Brigade (Durban)
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*Umvoti Mounted Rifles Brigade (Greytown)
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*Pretoria Brigade (Pretoria)
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*Limpopo River Brigade (Musina)
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*Zambezi River Brigade (Livingstone)
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*President Kruger Brigade (Bloemfontein)
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====Motorized infantry division====
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====Infantry====
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A motorized infantry division is structurally and organizationally almost identical to a mechanized infantry division; the only difference is that the former is transported by trucks and other motor vehicles, while the latter is transported by armored personnel carriers.
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*Cape Town Highlanders Brigade (Cape Town)
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*Cape Town Rifles Brigade (Cape Town)
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*Durban Light Infantry Brigade (Durban)
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*Durban Brigade (Durban)
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*Johannesburg Brigade (Johannesburg)
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*Lusaka Volunteer Rifles Brigade (Lusaka)
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*Blantyre Brigade (Blantyre)
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*Lilongwe Carbineers Brigade (Lilongwe)
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*Prince Alfred's Guard Brigade (Port Elizabeth)
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*Rand Light Infantry Brigade (Johannesburg)
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*Copperbelt Brigade (Ndola)
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*Jan Smuts Brigade (Cape Town)
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*Nelson Mandela Brigade (Bhisho)
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*Harare Brigade (Harare)
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*Gaborone Brigade (Gaborone)
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*Maseru Brigade (Maseru)
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*Mbabane Brigade (Mbabane)
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*Walvis Bay Rifles Brigade (Walvis Bay)
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*First City Brigade (Grahamstown)
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*Windhoek Brigade (Windhoek)
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A motorized infantry division has the following advantages:
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====Artillery====
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#Excellent tactical mobility
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*Cape Field Artillery Brigade (Cape Town)
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#Good strategic mobility
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*Natal Field Artillery Brigade (Pietermaritzburg)
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*Transvaal Horse Artillery Brigade (Potchefstroom)
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*Stellenbosch University Brigade (Stellenbosch)
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*Transvaal State Artillery Brigade (Pretoria)
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*Orange Free State Artillery Brigade (Bloemfontein)
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*Pretoria Highlanders Brigade (Pretoria)
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*6 Light AA Brigade (Harare)
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*Cape Garrison Artillery Brigade (Cape Town)
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*East Transvaal Brigade (Nelspruit)
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*Namibia Horse Artillery Brigade (Windhoek)
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*Lake Malawi Garrison Artillery Brigade (Karonga)
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Its disadvantages are as follows:
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====Engineers====
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#Poor armament
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*3 Field Engineer Brigade (Johannesburg)
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#Poor protection
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*6 Field Engineer Brigade (Cape Town)
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*19 Field Engineer Brigade (Mbabane)
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====Airborne division====
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==Equipment==
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The airborne division forms a rapid reaction force. It is designed to be a self sufficient unit for a short time, containing all necessary maneuver, fire, and support units to operate alone.
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===Individual weapons===
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*Z88 9×19mm semi-automatic pistol
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*SP1 9×19mm semi-automatic pistol
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*SP2 .40 S&W semi-automatic pistol
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*CR-21 5.56×45mm assault rifle
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*R4 5.56×45mm assault rifle
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*R5 5.56×45mm carbine
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*R6 5.56×45mm carbine
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*NTW-20 20×110mm anti-materiel rifle
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*Galil Sniper 7.62×51mm designated marksman rifle
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*Armsel Striker 12 gauge shotgun
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*BXP 9×19mm submachine gun
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*SS-77 7.62×51mm general purpose machine gun
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*Y3 AGL 40mm grenade launcher
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*MGL Mk-1 40mm grenade launcher
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An airborne division has the following advantages:
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===Artillery and missiles===
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#Readiness within 72 hours
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*G1 88mm towed howitzer
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#Small logistical footprint
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*G2 140mm towed howitzer
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#Excellent tactical mobility
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*G4 155mm towed howitzer
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*G5 155mm towed howitzer
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*G7 105mm towed howitzer
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*L118 Light Gun 105mm towed howitzer
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*L-5 105mm pack howitzer
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*G6 155mm self-propelled howitzer
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*Rascal 155mm self-propelled howitzer
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*Bateleur 127mm 40 tube self-propelled multiple rocket launcher
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*Valkiri-22 24 tube self-propelled multiple rocket launcher
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*Valkiri-5 towed multiple rocket launcher
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*M3 81mm mortar
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*Vasliyek 82mm automatic mortar
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*M-43 120mm mortar
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*Brandt 120mm mortar
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*ZT-3 Swift anti-tank guided weapon
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*Milan anti-tank guided weapon
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*FT-5 92mm rocket launcher
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*Carl Gustav 84mm recoilless launcher
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*M-40A1 106mm recoilless launcher
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*20mm self-propelled air defense gun
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*23mm self-propelled air defense gun
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*35mm air defense gun
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*Ingwe anti-tank guided missile
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*BGM-71 TOW anti-tank guided missile
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*Starstreak surface-to-air missile
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*Rapier surface-to-air missile
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However, it has many disadvantages:
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===Armored vehicles===
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#Poor protection
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====Main battle tanks====
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#No tanks
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*FV4034 Challenger 2 main battle tank
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#Lack of independence
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**Challenger Armoured Repair and Recovery Vehicle (CRARRV)
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**Titan armored bridge layer
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**Trojan combat engineering vehicle
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====Airmobile division====
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====Light tanks====
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Airmobile divisions are designed to have tactical mobility by helicopter. It has no tanks, and less artillery than other divisions, but more aircraft than any other type of division.
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*FV107 Scimitar light tank/reconnaissance vehicle
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*FV101 Scorpion light tank/reconnaissance vehicle
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Its advantages are:
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====Infantry fighting vehicles====
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#Excellent tactical mobility
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*FV510 Warrior infantry fighting vehicle
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#No geographical limitations
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**FV510 Infantry Section Vehicle
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**MILAN Anti-Tank Guided Weapon Carrier
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**FV512 Mechanised Combat Repair Vehicle
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**FV513 Mechanised Recovery Vehicle
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**FV 514 Mechanised Artillery Observation Vehicle
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**FV 515 Battery Command Vehicle
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**Warrior Reconnaissance Vehicle
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*Badger infantry fighting vehicle (South African designation for the Patria AMV)
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**Command
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**Mortar
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**Missile
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**Section
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**Fire Support
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*ERC 90 Sagaie amphibious infantry fighting vehicle
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**EMC 91 81mm mortar carrier
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**ERC 20 air defense vehicle
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**ERC 60-20 60mm mortar carrier
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*Véhicule Blindé Lége amphibious infantry fighting vehicle
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**VBL MILAN medium-range anti-tank vehicle
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**VBL ERYX short-range anti-tank vehicle
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**VB2L POSTE DE COMMANDEMENT command vehicle
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**VBL RECO 12.7 reconnaissance vehicle
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**VBL TOW long-range anti-tank vehicle
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**VBL ALBI-MISTRAL air defense vehicle
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Its disadvantages are:
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====Armored personnel carriers====
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#Poor protection
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*Gila mine-protected armored personnel carrier
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#No tanks
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*Mamba mine-protected armored personnel carrier
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#Enormous logistical and technical support requirements
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**Mk2
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**Mk3
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====Special forces brigade====
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*RG-31 Nyala mine-protected armored personnel carrier
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The special forces brigade is trained in guerrilla warfare, counterinsurgency, counter-terrorism, paramilitary operations, and unconventional warfare. They are trained to fight in any type of combat or terrain, with minimal protection and technical support. The special forces brigade is comprised of two types of battalions: counterinsurgency and commando. Counterinsurgency battalions' primary function, as can be surmised by the name, is counterinsurgency warfare. The commando battalion is a raiding force which can be used anywhere in the world in units ranging in size from a four-man fireteam to a full brigade.
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**RG-31 Sabre cargo vehicle
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**RG-31 Mk5 Nyala
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The special forces brigade has the following advantages:
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**RG-31 Mk5E
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#Ability to adapt to any terrain or climate
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*RG-32 Scout mine-protected armored personnel carrier
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#Well-trained for both regular and irregular warfare
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**RG-32M Standard
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#Minimal logistical and technical requirements
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**RG-32M Full Armour
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*RG-33 mine-protected armored personnel carrier
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It has the following disadvantages:
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**RG-33L
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#Poor protection
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*Casspir mine-protected armored personnel carrier
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#No tanks
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**APC
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**Artillery Fire Control
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==Equipment==
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**Ambulance
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===Individual weapons===
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**Blesbok freighter
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* R4 assault rifle
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**Duiker tanker
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** R5 carbine
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**FISTV
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** R6 mini-assault rifle
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**Gemsbok recovery vehicle
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* Heckler & Koch G3 battle rifle
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**Mechem mine-clearing vehicle
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* Vektor SS-77 general purpose machine gun
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**MEDDS mine-sensor vehicle
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* BXP submachine gun
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**Plofadder mine-clearing vehicle
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* FN Minimi light machine gun
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**Riot control
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* Milkor MGL semi-automatic grenade launcher
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*Reva mine-protected armored personnel carrier
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* RBS 70 MANPADS
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*Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé amphibious armored personnel carrier
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* Armsel Striker shotgun
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**VIB air defense vehicle
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* Vektor Z88 pistol
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**VAB VOA artillery observation vehicle
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* Denel NTW-20 20mm sniper rifle
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**VAB RATAC radar artillery target acquisition vehicle
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* Galat'z designated marksman rifle
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**VAB RASIT reconnaissance vehicle
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* Accuracy International Arctic Warfare folding sniper rifle
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**VAB PC command vehicle
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* Starstreak lightweight multiple launcher
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**VAB SIR digital regimental C4ISTAR information system
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**VAB Bromure electronic warfare vehicle
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===Armored vehicles===
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**VAB Echelon maintenance and repair vehicle
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* Leeu Main Battle Tank<sup>1</sup>
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**VAB Génie engineering vehicle
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* Olifant Main Battle Tank
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**VCAC Mephisto tank destroyer
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** Semel: 810 hp fuel-injected petrol engine, three-speed semi-automatic transmission
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**VTM 120 mortar carrier
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** Olifant Mk 1: 750 hp diesel engine, semi-automatic transmission
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**VPM 81 mortar carrier
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*** Olifant Mk 1A: Mk1 with upgraded optics and fire control system
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**VAB SAN armored ambulance
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*** Olifant Mk 1B: Torsion bar suspension, redesigned hull floor, additional armor on the glacis plate and turret, V-12 950 hp diesel engine, computerised fire control system, laser rangefinder
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**VAB Reco NBC reconnaissance vehicle
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** Olifant Mk 2: redesigned turret, new fire control system. Can mount LIW 105mm GT-8 rifled gun or 120mm smooth bore gun
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**VAB ATLAS artillery fire command and control vehicle
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* FV107 Scimitar Armored Reconnaissance Vehicle
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*Bandvagn 206 tracked all-terrain armored vehicle
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* Rooikat Armored Fighting Vehicle
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**Bv 206A: Armored ambulance
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** Rooikat 76
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**Bv 206F: Fire appliance vehicle
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** Rooikat 105: GT7 105mm anti-tank gun
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**PvBv 2062: Armed with 90mm recoilless anti-tank gun
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* FV430 Armored Fighting Vehicle
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**PvBv 2063: Armed with the BGM-71 TOW
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** FV431 Armored Load Carrier
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**Bv 206S: Armored personnel carrier
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** FV432 Armored Personnel Carrier
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*BvS 10 tracked all-terrain armored vehicle
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** FV433 Field Artillery, Self-Propelled "Abbot": 105mm self propelled gun
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-
** FV434 "Carrier, Maintenance, Full Tracked" - REME Maintenance carrier with hydraulically driven crane
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-
** FV435 Wavell communications vehicle
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-
** FV436 Command and control: Some fitted with Green Archer radar, later Cymbeline radar
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-
** FV437 Pathfinder vehicle: based on FV432 with integral buoyancy and other waterjets
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-
** FV438 Swingfire: Guided missile launcher
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-
** FV439 Signals vehicle: Many variants
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-
** FV430 Mk3 Bulldog: Upgraded troop carrier
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-
* ERC 90 Sagaie Armored Vehicle
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-
** EMC 91: (Fire support version armed with 81mm mortar in an Hispano-Suiza EMC turret)
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-
** ERC 20: (Anti-aircraft version with 2x20mm autocannons)
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-
** ERC 60-20: (Fitted with Hispano-Suiza 60-20 Serval turret armed with a 60mm mortar and a 20mm autocannon)
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-
** ERC 90 Diesel: (Fitted with a diesel engine)
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-
** ERC 90 F1: (Fitted with the Hispano-Suiza Lynx 90 turret)
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-
** ERC 90 Sagaie: (Fitted with GIAT TS 90 turret)
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-
** ERC 90 Sagaie 2: (Slightly larger version fitted with twin engines and improved turret)
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-
** VCR: (APC based on ECR)
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-
* Eland Mk7 Light Armored Car
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-
* AMX 10 RC Armored Car
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-
* Ratel Infantry Fighting Vehicle
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-
** Ratel 20: Original version
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-
** Ratel 81: 81mm mortar carrier
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-
** Ratel 90: Fire support vehicle
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-
** Ratel Command: Command vehicle
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-
** Ratel Maintenance: Recovery and fitters vehicle
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-
** Ratel Logistic: Logistic vehicle
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-
** Ratel ZT3: Anti-tank guided missile carrier
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-
* Combat Vehicle 90 Infantry Fighting Vehicle
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-
** CV9040: Armed with a 40mm Bofors autocannon
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-
** CV9030: Armed with a 30mm Bushmaster II autocannon
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-
** CV9035: Armed with a Bushmaster III 35/50 cannon
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-
** CV90105: 105mm smoothbore tank gun/turret
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-
** CV90120-T: Equipped with tank turret and smoothbore 120mm gun
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-
** CV9040 AAV: Anti-Air Vehicle, fitted with radar and 40mm autocannon
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-
** CV90: Command Vehicle
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-
** CV90: Forward Observation Vehicle
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-
** CV90: Armored Recovery Vehicle
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-
** CV9040C: Equipped with additional armor
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-
** CV9056: Equipped with the Bofors RB56 anti-tank missile
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-
* M2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle
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-
** M2A1: Includes an improved TOW II missile system, a Gas Particulate Filter Units (GPFU) NBC system, and a fire-suppression system
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-
** M2A2: With improved 600-horsepower (447 kW) engine with a HMPT-500-3 Hydromechanical transmission and improved armor
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-
** M2A3: Improved existing electronics systems throughout improving target acquisition and fire control, navigation, and situational awareness
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-
** Bradley Stinger Fighting Vehicle (BSFV): Designed specifically for the carriage and support of a Stinger MANPADS team
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-
** Warhammer Bradley: Modified M2A2 ODSs with the TOW missile system replaced with a 2 tube Javelin Missile System
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-
** M6 Linebacker: Air defense variant
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-
** M7 Bradley Fire Support Team: Fire support variant
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-
* Wiesel AWC Airborne Armored Fighting Vehicle
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-
** Wiesel 1
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-
*** Wiesel 1 Aufklärung: Reconnaissance
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-
*** Wiesel 1 ATM HOT: Anti-tank vehicle fitted with HOT missiles
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-
*** Wiesel 1 ATM HOT Variant 1: Fitted with UTM-800 turret
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-
*** Wiesel 1 Radar: Fitted with RATAC-S multi-purpose radar
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-
*** Wiesel 1 ATM TOW: Anti-tank vehicle fitted with TOW missiles
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-
*** Wiesel 1 ATM TOW Resupply: Cargo carrier fitted with racks for TOW missiles
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-
*** Wiesel 1 BTM208: Fitted with a SAMM BTM208 turret armed with a FN MAG and a M2HB machine guns
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-
*** Wiesel 1 MK20: Fire support version with a Rheinmetall MK 20 Rh202 20mm cannon
+
-
*** Wiesel 1 MK20 Variant 1: Upgraded with new sight
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-
*** Wiesel 1 MK25: 25mm armed version
+
-
** Wiesel 2
+
-
*** Wiesel 2 BF/UF (LeFlaSys Command): Air defense unit command post
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-
*** Wiesel 2 AFF (LeFlaSys Radar): Fitted with air defense radar
+
-
*** Wiesel 2 Ozelot (LeFlaSys Launcher): fitted with air defence missile launcher
+
-
*** Wiesel 2 Ozelot (LeFlaSys Launcher Variant 1): Retrofitted with box-type launchers
+
-
*** Wiesel 2 Ambulance
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-
*** Wiesel 2 APC: 2 + 4 crew armored personnel carrier
+
-
*** Wiesel 2 Command: Battalion command post
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-
*** Wiesel 2 Mortar: 120mm mortar
+
-
*** Wiesel 2 Mortar Variant 1: Mortar version with external supports
+
-
*** Wiesel 2 Argus: Reconnaissance
+
-
*** Wiesel 2 Carrier: Ammunition resupply
+
-
*** Wiesel 2 Pionier: Combat engineer reconnaissance
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-
*** Wiesel 2 Primus: Reconnaissance and fire control
+
-
*** Wiesel 2 ATM HOT: Anti-tank vehicle fitted with HOT missiles
+
-
* Patria Advanced Modular Vehicle
+
-
** APC version
+
-
** IFV version
+
-
** Communications version
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-
** Ambulance version
+
-
** Fire support version
+
-
* Gila Armored Personnel Carrier
+
-
* Mamba Armored Personnel Carrier
+
-
* Buffel Armored Personnel Carrier
+
-
* Casspir Armored Personnel Carrier
+
-
* Reva Armored Personnel Carrier
+
-
* LAV 25 Wheeled Armored Personnel Carrier
+
-
** LAV-AT: Anti-tank variant
+
-
** LAV-M: Mortar-equipped variant
+
-
** LAV-AD: Air defense variant
+
-
** LAV-R: Recovery variant
+
-
** LAV-C2: Command variant
+
-
** LAV-LOG: Logistics variant
+
-
** LAV-MEWSS: Electronic warfare variant
+
-
** LAV-EFSS: Fire support variant
+
-
* Sisu Pasi Wheeled Armored Personnel Carrier
+
-
** Sisu XA-180: Original version
+
-
** Sisu XA-181: Air defense variant
+
-
** Sisu XA-202: Command version
+
-
* RG-31 Nyala Multipurpose Mine-Protected Vehicle
+
-
** RG-31 Sabre: Cargo version
+
-
* RG-32 Scout Light Command/Liaison Vehicle
+
-
* M998 HMMWV AWD Motor Vehicle
+
-
* SK-105 Kurassier Tank Destroyer
+
-
* M1097 Avenger Self-Propelled Surface-to-Air Missile System
+
-
* MIM-72/M48 Chaparral Self-Propelled Surface-to-Air Missile System
+
-
* Air Defense Anti-Tank System
+
-
<sup>1</sup>The Leeu is a South African variant of the M1 Abrams.
+
===Support vehicles===
===Support vehicles===
-
* SAMIL 20 4x4 truck  
+
*SAMIL logistical transport truck
-
* SAMIL 50 4x4 truck
+
**SAMIL 20
-
* SAMIL 100 6x6 truck
+
**SAMIL 50
-
* MAN heavy duty truck
+
**SAMIL 100
-
* Land Rover Defender 110
+
*MAN heavy duty truck
-
* Land Rover Wolf military utility vehicle
+
*LMT Gecko all-terrain rapid deployment logistical vehicle
-
* M1083 standard cargo truck
+
*LMT EOD (Explosive Ordinance Disposal) vehicle
-
* M35 2-1/2 ton cargo truck
+
*LMT Actros Protected Cab
-
* M978 fuel truck
+
*LMT Protected Personnel Transporter
-
* M984 wrecker
+
*Okapi mine-protected vehicle
-
* Heavy Equipment Transport System
+
**Command and Control
-
** M911/M746/M747
+
**Fire Control
-
** M1070/M1000
+
**Biological Detection
-
* Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck
+
**Electronic Warfare
-
** M977 and M985
+
*Chubby mine detection system
-
** M978
+
**Meerkat mine detection vehicle
-
** M983
+
**Husky towing mine detection vehicle
-
** M984
+
**Duisendpoot mine-detonating trailer
-
* Caterpillar D9 armored bulldozer
+
*Land Rover Wolf utility truck
-
* Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement all-terrain vehicle
+
*FV180 Combat Engineer Tractor
-
** MK23 Cargo
+
*M728 Combat Engineer Vehicle
-
** MK25 Cargo
+
*M9 Armored Combat Earthmover
-
** MK27 Cargo
+
*M88A2 Hercules armored recovery vehicle
-
** MK28 Cargo
+
*Caterpillar D9 heavy bulldozer
-
** MK29 Dump
+
-
** MK30 Dump
+
-
** MK31 Tractor
+
-
** MK36 Wrecker
+
-
** MK37 HIMARS Resupply Vehicle
+
-
* Commercial Utility Cargo Vehicle
+
-
* Logistics Vehicle System (LVS)
+
-
** LVS MK48
+
-
** LVS MK48A1
+
-
** LVS MK14 Flatbed
+
-
** LVS MK15 Recovery Vehicle
+
-
** LVS MK16 Fifth-wheel
+
-
** LVS MK17 Material Handling Crane
+
-
** LVS MK18/18A1 Self-Loader
+
-
* Bandvagn 206 small unit support vehicle
+
-
** Bv 206A: Ambulance version
+
-
** Bv 206F: Fire appliance variant
+
-
* FV180 Combat Engineer Tractor
+
-
* M728 Combat Engineer Vehicle
+
-
* M60A1 Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge
+
-
===Artillery===
+
===Aircraft===
-
* G1 88mm towed artillery
+
*Atlas Oryx medium utility helicopter
-
* G2 140mm towed artillery
+
*Denel AH-2A Rooivalk attack helicopter
-
* G4 155mm towed artillery
+
*Denel Bateleur unmanned aerial vehicle
-
* G5 155mm towed howitzer
+
*Kentron Seeker unmanned aerial vehicle
-
* G6 155mm self-propelled howitzer
+
-
* G7 105mm towed howitzer
+
-
* Condor 155mm truck-mounted artillery piece
+
-
* M40A1 106mm recoilless launcher
+
-
* Bateleur 127mm 40 tube multiple rocket launcher
+
-
* Valkiri-22 24 tube self-propelled multiple rocket launcher
+
-
* Valkiri-5 towed multiple rocket launcher
+
-
* M167 Vulcan air defense gun
+
-
* Oerlikon 20mm anti-aircraft gun
+
-
* Oerlikon 35mm anti-aircraft gun
+
-
* Skysweeper 75mm anti-aircraft gun
+
-
* M224 60mm lightweight mortar
+
-
* M252 81mm medium mortar
+
-
* M120 120mm mortar
+
-
* Brandt 60mm long-range gun-mortar
+
-
===Missiles===
+
===Reserve===
-
* Crotale surface-to-air missile
+
''N.B.: These vehicles are no longer in active service, but remain in reserve.''
-
* Mistral surface-to-air missile
+
*Olifant main battle tank
-
* Umkhonto surface-to-air missile
+
**Olifant Mk 2
-
* MILAN anti-tank missile
+
*Rooikat armored fighting vehicle
-
* Euromissile HOT anti-tank missile
+
**Rooikat 76
-
* Ingwe anti-tank missile
+
**Rooikat 105 tank destroyer
-
 
+
*Ratel infantry fighting vehicle
-
===Aircraft===
+
**Ratel 20
-
* Denel AH-2 Rooivalk attack helicopter
+
**Ratel 60
-
* Atlas Oryx utility helicopter
+
**Ratel 81 mortar carrier
-
* Bell 412 multipurpose utility helicopter
+
**Ratel 90
-
* Helibras HB 350 utility/attack helicopter
+
**Ratel 120 mortar carrier
-
* MBB/Kawasaki BK 117 medium utility/transport helicopter
+
**Ratel Command
-
* Agusta A109 search and rescue/utility helicopter
+
**Ratel EAOS (Enhanced Artillery Observation System)
-
* Pilatus PC-6B Turbo-Porter civil utility aircraft
+
**Ratel Maintenance
-
* Cessna 208 Caravan turboprop aircraft
+
**Ratel ZT3 tank destroyer
-
* AS 355F1 Écureuil 2 training helicopter
+
**Ratel Logistic
 +
*Buffel mine-protected armored personnel carrier
 +
**Buffel Mk 1
 +
**Log Buffel logistics/cargo vehicle
 +
**Moffel open cargo-bed vehicle
 +
**Buffel Mk IIA/B
 +
**Rhino
[[Category:Armies]]
[[Category:Armies]]
-
[[Category:South African Defence Force|Army, South African]]
+
[[Category:Union Defence Force|Army, South African]]

Current revision as of 23:32, 8 February 2009

South African Army
Active 1912 -
Country Union of South Africa
Branch Army
Size 230,000 active personnel
Part of Ministry of Defence and National Security
Headquarters Pretoria
Engagements World War I
World War II
Korean War
Angolan Civil War
Commanders
Commander-in-Chief Governor-General Festus Mogae
Commander Lieutenant General Ken Walls
Notable commanders Louis Botha
Jan Smuts
Isaac Pierre de Villiers
Petrus Jacobs

The South African Army is the branch of the South African military tasked with the land defense of the nation. It is the largest, best-trained, and best-equipped branch of the military, and is the backbone of the armed forces. It operates large expeditionary and fixed land forces to accomplish its missions.

A highly mechanized and rapidly deployable force, the South African Army is the most powerful on the continent by a wide margin. Employing 230,000 personnel in active duty and another 210,000 in the reserves, it is also one of the largest. Rigorous training standards and top-of-the-line, state-of-the-art weapons ensure that the Army always operates at peak efficiency and is capable of confronting any adversary on the battlefield.

While much of the South African Army's hardware is procured abroad, a large percentage of it is indigenously produced, making it largely self-sufficient. South African equipment is specially designed to accomodate its diverse climate, and most of its armored vehicles are both light and maneuverable while also highly resistant to mines.

The Governor-General serves as the ceremonial commander-in-chief of the Army. The Army's military commander is Lieutenant General Ken Walls.

Contents

[edit] Organization

[edit] Active units

[edit] South African Armoured Corps

  • 1 Special Service Division (Bloemfontein)
  • 1 South African Tank Division (Bloemfontein)

[edit] South African Infantry Corps

[edit] Divisions
  • 44 Parachute Division (Bloemfontein)
[edit] Brigades
  • 1 South African Infantry Brigade (Bloemfontein)
  • 3 Infantry Brigade Training Depot (Kimberley)
  • 4 South African Infantry Brigade (Gaborone)
  • 5 South African Infantry Brigade (Windhoek)
  • 6 South African Infantry Brigade (Grahamstown)
  • 7 South African Infantry Brigade (Phalaborwa)
  • 8 South African Infantry Brigade (Manzini)
  • 9 South African Infantry Brigade (Cape Town)
  • 10 South African Infantry Brigade (Pretoria)
  • 14 South African Infantry Brigade (Maseru)
  • 15 South African Infantry Brigade (Bulawayo)
  • 61 Mechanised Infantry Brigade Group (Upington)
  • 115 South African Infantry Brigade (Lilongwe)
  • 116 South African Infantry Brigade (Blantyre)
  • 118 South African Infantry Brigade (Lusaka)
  • 121 South African Infantry Brigade (Mtubatuba)

[edit] South African Artillery

  • 4 Artillery Division (Potchefstroom)
  • 10 Air Defence Division (Potchefstroom)

[edit] South African Engineers

  • 2 Field Engineer Brigade (Harare)
  • 14 Engineer Brigade (Bloemfontein)
  • 35 Engineer Support Brigade (Gaborone)
  • 1 Construction Engineer Brigade (Pretoria)
  • 1 Military Printing Brigade (Pretoria)
  • 4 Survey and Mapping Brigade (Bulawayo)

[edit] South African Special Forces

  • 5 Special Forces Division (Pretoria)

[edit] Reserve units

[edit] Armour

  • Light Horse Brigade (Johannesburg)
  • Natal Mounted Rifles Brigade (Durban)
  • Umvoti Mounted Rifles Brigade (Greytown)
  • Pretoria Brigade (Pretoria)
  • Limpopo River Brigade (Musina)
  • Zambezi River Brigade (Livingstone)
  • President Kruger Brigade (Bloemfontein)

[edit] Infantry

  • Cape Town Highlanders Brigade (Cape Town)
  • Cape Town Rifles Brigade (Cape Town)
  • Durban Light Infantry Brigade (Durban)
  • Durban Brigade (Durban)
  • Johannesburg Brigade (Johannesburg)
  • Lusaka Volunteer Rifles Brigade (Lusaka)
  • Blantyre Brigade (Blantyre)
  • Lilongwe Carbineers Brigade (Lilongwe)
  • Prince Alfred's Guard Brigade (Port Elizabeth)
  • Rand Light Infantry Brigade (Johannesburg)
  • Copperbelt Brigade (Ndola)
  • Jan Smuts Brigade (Cape Town)
  • Nelson Mandela Brigade (Bhisho)
  • Harare Brigade (Harare)
  • Gaborone Brigade (Gaborone)
  • Maseru Brigade (Maseru)
  • Mbabane Brigade (Mbabane)
  • Walvis Bay Rifles Brigade (Walvis Bay)
  • First City Brigade (Grahamstown)
  • Windhoek Brigade (Windhoek)

[edit] Artillery

  • Cape Field Artillery Brigade (Cape Town)
  • Natal Field Artillery Brigade (Pietermaritzburg)
  • Transvaal Horse Artillery Brigade (Potchefstroom)
  • Stellenbosch University Brigade (Stellenbosch)
  • Transvaal State Artillery Brigade (Pretoria)
  • Orange Free State Artillery Brigade (Bloemfontein)
  • Pretoria Highlanders Brigade (Pretoria)
  • 6 Light AA Brigade (Harare)
  • Cape Garrison Artillery Brigade (Cape Town)
  • East Transvaal Brigade (Nelspruit)
  • Namibia Horse Artillery Brigade (Windhoek)
  • Lake Malawi Garrison Artillery Brigade (Karonga)

[edit] Engineers

  • 3 Field Engineer Brigade (Johannesburg)
  • 6 Field Engineer Brigade (Cape Town)
  • 19 Field Engineer Brigade (Mbabane)

[edit] Equipment

[edit] Individual weapons

  • Z88 9×19mm semi-automatic pistol
  • SP1 9×19mm semi-automatic pistol
  • SP2 .40 S&W semi-automatic pistol
  • CR-21 5.56×45mm assault rifle
  • R4 5.56×45mm assault rifle
  • R5 5.56×45mm carbine
  • R6 5.56×45mm carbine
  • NTW-20 20×110mm anti-materiel rifle
  • Galil Sniper 7.62×51mm designated marksman rifle
  • Armsel Striker 12 gauge shotgun
  • BXP 9×19mm submachine gun
  • SS-77 7.62×51mm general purpose machine gun
  • Y3 AGL 40mm grenade launcher
  • MGL Mk-1 40mm grenade launcher

[edit] Artillery and missiles

  • G1 88mm towed howitzer
  • G2 140mm towed howitzer
  • G4 155mm towed howitzer
  • G5 155mm towed howitzer
  • G7 105mm towed howitzer
  • L118 Light Gun 105mm towed howitzer
  • L-5 105mm pack howitzer
  • G6 155mm self-propelled howitzer
  • Rascal 155mm self-propelled howitzer
  • Bateleur 127mm 40 tube self-propelled multiple rocket launcher
  • Valkiri-22 24 tube self-propelled multiple rocket launcher
  • Valkiri-5 towed multiple rocket launcher
  • M3 81mm mortar
  • Vasliyek 82mm automatic mortar
  • M-43 120mm mortar
  • Brandt 120mm mortar
  • ZT-3 Swift anti-tank guided weapon
  • Milan anti-tank guided weapon
  • FT-5 92mm rocket launcher
  • Carl Gustav 84mm recoilless launcher
  • M-40A1 106mm recoilless launcher
  • 20mm self-propelled air defense gun
  • 23mm self-propelled air defense gun
  • 35mm air defense gun
  • Ingwe anti-tank guided missile
  • BGM-71 TOW anti-tank guided missile
  • Starstreak surface-to-air missile
  • Rapier surface-to-air missile

[edit] Armored vehicles

[edit] Main battle tanks

  • FV4034 Challenger 2 main battle tank
    • Challenger Armoured Repair and Recovery Vehicle (CRARRV)
    • Titan armored bridge layer
    • Trojan combat engineering vehicle

[edit] Light tanks

  • FV107 Scimitar light tank/reconnaissance vehicle
  • FV101 Scorpion light tank/reconnaissance vehicle

[edit] Infantry fighting vehicles

  • FV510 Warrior infantry fighting vehicle
    • FV510 Infantry Section Vehicle
    • MILAN Anti-Tank Guided Weapon Carrier
    • FV512 Mechanised Combat Repair Vehicle
    • FV513 Mechanised Recovery Vehicle
    • FV 514 Mechanised Artillery Observation Vehicle
    • FV 515 Battery Command Vehicle
    • Warrior Reconnaissance Vehicle
  • Badger infantry fighting vehicle (South African designation for the Patria AMV)
    • Command
    • Mortar
    • Missile
    • Section
    • Fire Support
  • ERC 90 Sagaie amphibious infantry fighting vehicle
    • EMC 91 81mm mortar carrier
    • ERC 20 air defense vehicle
    • ERC 60-20 60mm mortar carrier
  • Véhicule Blindé Lége amphibious infantry fighting vehicle
    • VBL MILAN medium-range anti-tank vehicle
    • VBL ERYX short-range anti-tank vehicle
    • VB2L POSTE DE COMMANDEMENT command vehicle
    • VBL RECO 12.7 reconnaissance vehicle
    • VBL TOW long-range anti-tank vehicle
    • VBL ALBI-MISTRAL air defense vehicle

[edit] Armored personnel carriers

  • Gila mine-protected armored personnel carrier
  • Mamba mine-protected armored personnel carrier
    • Mk2
    • Mk3
  • RG-31 Nyala mine-protected armored personnel carrier
    • RG-31 Sabre cargo vehicle
    • RG-31 Mk5 Nyala
    • RG-31 Mk5E
  • RG-32 Scout mine-protected armored personnel carrier
    • RG-32M Standard
    • RG-32M Full Armour
  • RG-33 mine-protected armored personnel carrier
    • RG-33L
  • Casspir mine-protected armored personnel carrier
    • APC
    • Artillery Fire Control
    • Ambulance
    • Blesbok freighter
    • Duiker tanker
    • FISTV
    • Gemsbok recovery vehicle
    • Mechem mine-clearing vehicle
    • MEDDS mine-sensor vehicle
    • Plofadder mine-clearing vehicle
    • Riot control
  • Reva mine-protected armored personnel carrier
  • Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé amphibious armored personnel carrier
    • VIB air defense vehicle
    • VAB VOA artillery observation vehicle
    • VAB RATAC radar artillery target acquisition vehicle
    • VAB RASIT reconnaissance vehicle
    • VAB PC command vehicle
    • VAB SIR digital regimental C4ISTAR information system
    • VAB Bromure electronic warfare vehicle
    • VAB Echelon maintenance and repair vehicle
    • VAB Génie engineering vehicle
    • VCAC Mephisto tank destroyer
    • VTM 120 mortar carrier
    • VPM 81 mortar carrier
    • VAB SAN armored ambulance
    • VAB Reco NBC reconnaissance vehicle
    • VAB ATLAS artillery fire command and control vehicle
  • Bandvagn 206 tracked all-terrain armored vehicle
    • Bv 206A: Armored ambulance
    • Bv 206F: Fire appliance vehicle
    • PvBv 2062: Armed with 90mm recoilless anti-tank gun
    • PvBv 2063: Armed with the BGM-71 TOW
    • Bv 206S: Armored personnel carrier
  • BvS 10 tracked all-terrain armored vehicle

[edit] Support vehicles

  • SAMIL logistical transport truck
    • SAMIL 20
    • SAMIL 50
    • SAMIL 100
  • MAN heavy duty truck
  • LMT Gecko all-terrain rapid deployment logistical vehicle
  • LMT EOD (Explosive Ordinance Disposal) vehicle
  • LMT Actros Protected Cab
  • LMT Protected Personnel Transporter
  • Okapi mine-protected vehicle
    • Command and Control
    • Fire Control
    • Biological Detection
    • Electronic Warfare
  • Chubby mine detection system
    • Meerkat mine detection vehicle
    • Husky towing mine detection vehicle
    • Duisendpoot mine-detonating trailer
  • Land Rover Wolf utility truck
  • FV180 Combat Engineer Tractor
  • M728 Combat Engineer Vehicle
  • M9 Armored Combat Earthmover
  • M88A2 Hercules armored recovery vehicle
  • Caterpillar D9 heavy bulldozer

[edit] Aircraft

  • Atlas Oryx medium utility helicopter
  • Denel AH-2A Rooivalk attack helicopter
  • Denel Bateleur unmanned aerial vehicle
  • Kentron Seeker unmanned aerial vehicle

[edit] Reserve

N.B.: These vehicles are no longer in active service, but remain in reserve.

  • Olifant main battle tank
    • Olifant Mk 2
  • Rooikat armored fighting vehicle
    • Rooikat 76
    • Rooikat 105 tank destroyer
  • Ratel infantry fighting vehicle
    • Ratel 20
    • Ratel 60
    • Ratel 81 mortar carrier
    • Ratel 90
    • Ratel 120 mortar carrier
    • Ratel Command
    • Ratel EAOS (Enhanced Artillery Observation System)
    • Ratel Maintenance
    • Ratel ZT3 tank destroyer
    • Ratel Logistic
  • Buffel mine-protected armored personnel carrier
    • Buffel Mk 1
    • Log Buffel logistics/cargo vehicle
    • Moffel open cargo-bed vehicle
    • Buffel Mk IIA/B
    • Rhino
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