List_of_equipment_of_the_South_African_National_Defence_Force

List of equipment of the South African National Defence Force

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This is a list of the military equipment of South Africa, including the Army, Air force, and Navy.

Army

Armored Vehicles

The army is currently looking for replacements for the Mamba and Casspir fleets, up to 3,000 APCs and 3,000 MRAPs are planned to replace the 1,040+ Casspir and 840+ Mamba used by the South African Army, the new vehicles will be made in South Africa.^[30]

More information Vehicle, Image ...

Vehicle	Image	Type	Origin	Versions	Number	Notes
Main battle tanks
Olifant^[31]		Main battle tank	South Africa	MK1A MK1B MK2	195	A heavily modified and modernized Centurion tank. The MK1A tanks were commissioned in 1985. The MK1Bs were commissioned in 1991 and the MK2 tanks were commissioned in 2007 by using some TTD tank part.
Tank destroyers
Rooikat^[32]		Tank destroyer	South Africa	-	390	Extremely fast armoured vehicle used for reconnaissance, aggressive search-and-destroy, anti-armour operations, combat patrols, raids and hot pursuit operations. 150 Rooikats in reserve squadrons / storage.
Ratel ZT-3^[33]		Tank destroyer	South Africa	-	52	Ratel IFV equipped with a triple ZT3 Ingwe ATGM launcher.
Infantry fighting vehicles (IFV)
Badger IFV^[34]		Infantry fighting vehicle	South Africa	-	244 (On order)	The Badgers are planned to partially replace the SA army's Ratel fleet over the next decade. The Badger IFV will become a mainstay of South African mechanized infantry force for many years to come. There will be five versions: a standard infantry carrier, a command car, fire support variant, mortar carrier and tank destroyer.
Ratel IFV^[35]		Infantry fighting vehicle	South Africa	-	1,200^[36]	Primary armoured fighting vehicle in service with the South African Mechanized forces. Variants in service include the Ratel 20 (armed with a Denel GI-2 20mm cannon), Ratel 60 (armed with a 60mm breech-loading mortar), Ratel 90 (armed with a 90mm Denel GT-2 low-velocity anti-tank gun), command variant, fire-support vehicle and an 81mm mortar carrier. 666 Ratels in reserve squadrons / storage.
Armoured personnel carriers (APC)
Mamba^[37]		MRAP armoured personnel carrier	South Africa	Mk3	840+	APC / MRAP with significant protection against anti-tank mines and small arms fire. 400 Mambas in reserve squadrons / storage.
MAX 3^[38]	No image available	Armoured personnel carrier	South Africa	MAX 3	?	A dozen 4x4 and 6x6 MAX 3s were acquired from SVI Engineering in early 2024 and delivered to the Joint Operations Division of the SANDF. These vehicles would most likely replace or supplement the Mamba or Casspir vehicles.
Mine-resistant ambush protected (MRAP)
Casspir^[39]		MRAP infantry mobility vehicle	South Africa	Mk3	1,040+	IMV with significant protection against anti-tank mines and small arms fire. Comes in several variants: an armoured personnel carrier, ambulance, light cargo vehicle (Blesbok freighter), tanker, a fire support team vehicle (FISTV), a light recovery vehicle (Gemsbok) and a Plofadder mine clearing vehicle. 200 Casspir in reserve squadrons / storage.
RG-31 Nyala^[40]		MRAP infantry mobility vehicle	South Africa	-	?	IMV with significant protection against anti-tank mines and small arms fire.
Husky VMMD^[41]^[42]		Vehicle mounted mine detection system / MRAP	South Africa	-	4,000+	A system designed to clear routes of mines. Usually they operate in pairs one after the other. The leading vehicle acts as a Mine Detection Vehicle (MDV) and is designated as "Meerkat". The vehicle detects and identifies land mines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) using a range of sensors and imaging systems. Additionally, the Husky is equipped with a variety of countermeasures, such as jamming systems and smoke generators that can be used to neutralize or disrupt IEDs. The Husky VMMD's armor is specifically engineered to withstand the effects of land mines and IEDs.

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Name	Type	Origin	Versions	Number	Notes
Handguns
Vektor Z88^[1]	Semi-automatic pistol	South Africa	-	N/A	15-round magazine standard-issue sidearm. License-built Beretta 92F.
Vektor SP1	Semi-automatic pistol	South Africa	-	N/A	15-round magazine standard issue side arm alongside the Z88.
Submachine guns
Milkor BXP	Submachine gun	South Africa	-	N/A	32-round magazine indigenously designed 9mm submachine gun.
Assault rifles
Vektor R4^[2]	Assault rifle	South Africa	-	N/A	35-round magazine standard service rifle. Modernized in 2010 under Project African Warrior.
Vektor R5^[3]	Carbine	South Africa	-	N/A	Carbine version of the Vektor R4.
Anti-material & Sniper rifles
Truvelo CMS^[4]^[5]	Bolt action sniper rifle	South Africa	.338 Lapua .50 BMG 7.62x51mm	N/A	CMS (Counter Measure Sniper). 5-round or 10-round magazine standard sniper rifle of the South African Army since 2018.
Denel NTW-20^[6]	Anti-material rifle	South Africa	-	N/A	3-round magazine standard anti-material rifle of the South African Army. In service since 1998 by the South African Special Forces and Army Infantry sniper sections. In 2013 a South African Special Forces sniper using the NTW-20 shot and killed a M23 Rebel in the Democratic Republic of Congo at a distance of 2,125 metres (2,324 yards) making it the 9th longest recorded sniper kill in history as of 2023.^[7]
Shotguns
Stoeger SP312^[8]	Pump-action shotgun	Turkey	-	N/A	Used for crowd control.
Machine guns
Vektor SS-77^[9]	General-purpose machine gun	South Africa	-	N/A	Belt-fed GPMG in service since 1986 alongside the FN MAG. 100-round pear-shaped pouch in general use, 200-round rigid box. Planned to be replaced by the new generation Denel DMG-5.
FN MAG^[10]	General-purpose machine gun	Belgium	-	N/A	Belt-fed GPMG. 100-round pear-shaped pouches in general use and 200-round disintegrating link metal belts. Can be mounted on a Tripod as well as vehicles.
Browning MG4 MMG^[11]	Medium machine gun	United States South Africa	M1919A4	N/A	M1919A4 Browning Medium Machine gun modified by Denel Land Systems, fires the 7.62×51mm round.
M2 Browning^[12]	Heavy machine gun	United States South Africa	-	N/A	Belt fed machine gun mainly mounted on Tripods, armoured and infantry vehicles.
Grenade launchers
Milkor MGL^[13]	Grenade launcher	South Africa	Y2 MK-1 Y3 MK-1S Y4 SuperSix	N/A	Y2 MK-1 in service since 1983, the Y3 MK-1S entered service in 2005 and the latest Y4 SuperSix variant entered service in 2019. 6-round revolving, swing out-type cylinder.
Denel Y3 AGL^[14]	Automatic grenade launcher	South Africa	-	N/A	A Belt-fed, high velocity, long-recoil, open-breech powerful grenade launcher in service. The weapon is ideally used as a tripod-mounted support weapon for infantry as a vehicle or tripod mounted weapon, with a nominal rate of fire of 320 rounds per minute. Electronic indirect sight and Aim point direct sight can be mounted.
Anti-tank weapons
Denel FT5^[15]	Anti-tank rocket launcher	South Africa	-	N/A	An indigenous reusable anti-tank weapon primarily used to penetrate modern main battle tanks and fortifications.
RPG-7^[16]	Rocket-propelled grenade launcher	Soviet Union	-	N/A	Large numbers of RPG-7s were captured during the mid-1970s and are deployed at section level for use against armoured vehicles. To be replaced by the FT5.
AT4^[17]	84mm smoothbore recoilless rifle	Sweden	-	N/A
Carl Gustaf M4^[18]	84mm recoilless rifle	Sweden	-	N/A
M40 recoilless rifle^[19]	105mm recoilless rifle	United States	-	171
ZT3 Leopard^[20]	Anti-tank guided missile	South Africa	-	N/A	A modern multi-role long-range beam-riding precision guided missile (ATGM) in service. The missile is used by the Armoured Corps and the Mechanized infantry battalions.
MILAN ER^[21]	Anti-tank guided missile	France	-	346+	46 Milan ADT (Advanced Digital Technology) launchers as well as 300+ Milan ER (extended range) SACLOS missiles are in service since 2007. To be replaced by the ZT3 Ingwe.
Anti-aircraft weapons
Starstreak^[22]	Manportable/Vehicle mounted surface-to-air missile	United Kingdom	-	178^[23]
Mortars
M4 Commando Mortar^[24]	60mm long-range light mortar	South Africa	-	2300+	Upgraded in 2016 with improved range and accuracy.
M3 Mortar^[25]	81mm long-range medium mortar	South Africa	M3 M8	1890	1890 mortars in service with the South African Army Infantry Formation.
M5 120mm Mortar	120mm long-range heavy mortar	Israel	-	36	36 mortars are in service with 18 Light Regiment.
Grenades
M26 grenade^[26]	Fragmentation hand grenade	South Africa	-	N/A
M854 Smoke Grenade^[27]	Smoke grenade	South Africa	-	N/A
RDM Illuminating Hand Grenade^[28]	Hand grenade	South Africa	-	N/A
RDM Bullet Trap (BT) Rifle Grenades^[29]	Rifle grenade	South Africa	-	N/A

Name	Type	Origin	Versions	Number	Notes
Self-propelled artillery
GV6 Rhino^[43]	155mm self-propelled howitzer	South Africa	G6-52	43	Locally developed mine-resistant long range 155mm self-propelled howitzer. The South African Army received 153 GV6 self-propelled howitzers between 2000-2010 and sold 102 of them.
T5-52 Condor^[44]	155mm self-propelled howitzer	South Africa	-	6	Locally developed long range 155mm self-propelled howitzer. These self-propelled howitzers are being tested by the South African Army before any more additional howitzers are ordered to operate alongside the GV6 Rhino.
Towed artillery
GV5 Leopard	155mm towed howitzer	South Africa	G5-2000	72	Locally developed long-range towed 155mm towed howitzer. The GV5 Leopard is a towed version of the GV6 Rhino.
GV1 25^[45]	87mm towed howitzer	United Kingdom	-	32	A small number are maintained and in service with reserve regiments. These guns are used for ceremonial occasions.
Multiple launch rocket system (MLRS)
Bateleur^[46]	127mm multiple launch rocket system	South Africa	-	25	Long-range 127mm missile launcher. 40 launch tubes mounted on an armoured Samil 100 6×6 truck.
Valkiri^[47]	127mm multiple launch rocket system	South Africa	-	76	Long-range 127mm missile launcher. 24 launch tubes mounted on an armoured 4×4 truck.

Name	Type	Origin	Versions	Number	Notes
Anti-aircraft guns
Oerlikon GDF^[48]	Radar guided anti-aircraft autocannon	Switzerland Germany	GDF-002 GDF-005	150	Upgraded by Rheinmetall AG in 2017 to use Oerlikon Skyshield fire control systems and Ahead airburst ammunition.
Zumlac^[49]	Twin 23mm anti aircraft autocannon	Soviet Union	-	36	Captured in the 1980s during the South African Border War and are mounted on armoured SAMIL 100 heavy trucks.
Surface-to-air missile
Umkhonto GBADS^[50]	Mobile surface-to-air missile system	South Africa	-	?	Developed for the South African Army's ground-based air defence system (GBADS) requirement.

Name	Image	Type	Origin	Versions	Number	Notes
Seeker 400^[51]		Unmanned aerial vehicle	South Africa	Seeker 400	36	The Seeker 400 operates at direct line-of-sight (LOS) ranges of up to 250 km from the base station and provides: Real-time day and night reconnaissance.
ATE Vulture^[52]		Unmanned aerial vehicle	South Africa	-	At least 4	Acquired under Project Klooster.
ESR220 Thutlwa^[53]		Mobile battery fire control post and early warning radar	South Africa	-	4	Designated as "Kameelperd". The system uses an L-band 2D surveillance radar to provide early warning to air defence artillery troops in the field.
Thales Squire radar system^[54]		Battlefield surveillance radar	France	-	14	Acquired in 2012 under Project Cytoon. The radars are designed to plot a pedestrian at 10km, a vehicle at 21km, a tank at 28km, a helicopter at 21km, a boat at 12km and a ship at 48km.
Thales Sophie man-portable system^[55]		Thermal imager	France	-	65	Acquired in 2012 under Project Cytoon. The Thales Sophie can spot humans at over 4 km, tanks at 10 km, helicopters at 12 km and jet fighters at 16 km.
LOCATS^[56]	No image available	Low cost aerial target systems	South Africa	-	?	The LOCATS is an unmanned aerial target used to train Air Defence Artillery crews in gunnery. It is launched from a ramp fitted on the back of a flatbed truck and is recovered by parachute.

Name	Image	Type	Origin	Versions	Number	Notes
Gecko ATV Rapid Deployment Vehicle^[57]		All-terrain utility vehicle	Canada South Africa	-	100 in service	Used by the Parachute Regiment and Special Forces.
SAMIL 20^[58]^[59]		4×4 armoured military truck	South Africa	-	Several thousand	Will be replaced by a new generation set of military trucks in the near future under "Project Vistula".^[60]
SAMIL 50^[61]^[62]		4×4 armoured military truck	South Africa	-	Several thousand	Will be replaced by a new generation set of military trucks in the near future under "Project Vistula".^[63]
SAMIL 100^[64]^[65]		6×6 armoured military truck	South Africa	-	Several thousand	Will be replaced by a new generation set of military trucks in the near future under "Project Vistula".^[66]
Cavallo^[67]^[68]		8x8 heavy military logistics truck	South Africa	Skimmel Zebra Kameelperd	Several thousand	Designated as "Cavallo". Used as a cargo/vehicle transporter, also used to carry the SANDF's radar and air defence artillery equipment.
MAN 8x8 Trucks^[69]^[70]		8x8 heavy military logistics truck	Germany South Africa	-	Several thousand	Primarily utilised as prime movers, firefighting vehicles and low-bed transporters.
MAN 8x8 Trucks^[69]^[70]		8x8 heavy armoured military truck	Germany South Africa	-	Several thousand
Giraffe^[71]		Logistics truck	Italy	-	?	Designated as "Giraffe". Used as a cargo/vehicle transporter.
Toyota Dyna^[72]		Medium-duty truck	Japan	-	?	Designated as "Wildebees"
Scania transport buses		Personnel transport bus	Sweden	-	?	These buses are used to ferry personnel to and from bases.
Various cars and light trucks.	No image available	Light armoured tactical vehicle	United States United Kingdom Japan	-	?	Various civilian utility vehicles are utilized by the army for light transport/patrol purposes (primarily Ford, Toyota and Land Rover vehicles).

List_of_equipment_of_the_South_African_National_Defence_Force

List of equipment of the South African National Defence Force

Army

Small arms and infantry weapons

Armored Vehicles

Artillery

Anti-aircraft

Miscellaneous

Logistic and utility vehicles

Navy

Air force

Weapon systems

See also

References

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Ship	Image	Type	Origin	Number	Displacement	Notes
Frigates (4 in service)
Valour class		Stealth guided-missile frigate	Germany South Africa	4	3,759 tonnes	Multi-purpose and multi-capable frigate. The Valour class frigates include the general guided-missile anti-surface, anti-air role as well as the anti-submarine role. The Valour class frigates employ the use of advanced stealth technology making them hard to detect.
Submarines (3 in service)
Heroine class^[73]		Guided-missile attack submarine	Germany	3	1,654 tonnes	The Heroine-class submarines replaced the three Daphné-class submarines, SAS Spear, SAS Assegaai and SAS Umkhonto of the South African Navy.
Patrol vessels (33 in service)
Warrior class^[74]		Multi-role patrol vessel	South Africa	3	1,031 tonnes	3 Inshore patrol vessels are in service. A further 12 inshore patrol vessels and 15 larger offshore patrol vessels of this class are planned.^[75]
Warrior class strike craft^[76]		Offshore patrol vessel	Israel South Africa	1	450 tonnes	To be replaced by the Warrior-class Multi-role patrol vessels.
T class^[77]		Inshore patrol vessel	South Africa	3	37 tonnes	Built by T-Craft International in Cape Town.
Namacurra class^[78]		Harbour patrol boat	South Africa	26	4 tonnes	Harbour patrol boats equipped with machine guns.
Minesweepers (2 in service)
River class^[79]		Minesweeper	Germany South Africa	2	390 tonnes	Minesweeper / Patrol vessel.
Auxiliary vessels (7 in service)
Drakensberg class^[80]		Fleet replenishment ship	South Africa	1	12,500 tonnes	Commissioned in 1987. The largest and most sophisticated vessel to be constructed on the African continent.
Nelson Mandela class		Hydrographic survey vessel	South Africa	1 (Under construction)	N/A	Will replace the Protea-class survey vessel, will be delivered at the end of 2023 or early 2024. The vessel will be equipped with the latest survey equipment.^[81]
Protea class		Hydrographic survey vessel	United Kingdom	1	2,750 tonnes	Specialist Hydrographic Survey Vessel. Built by Yarrow & Co Ltd, Glasgow, Scotland. Launched 1971. Replacement under construction.
Coastal and harbour tugs^[82]		Tug	South Africa	5	N/A
Landing craft (6 in service)
Lima-class utility landing craft^[83]	No image available	Landing Craft Utility	South Africa	6	N/A

Aircraft	Origin	Type	Number	Notes
Combat aircraft
JAS 39 Gripen^[84]	Sweden	Multirole fighter	26	Current main combat aircraft 17 C variant and 9 D variant
BAE Hawk^[85]	United Kingdom South Africa	Lead-in fighter trainer	24	Manufactured locally and assembled in South Africa^[86] 1 aircraft used by Denel Aviation as a system testbed
Pilatus PC-7^[87]	Switzerland	Basic flight trainer	56	60 aircraft ordered in 1993. 56 in service as of 2023
Transport aircraft
C-130 Hercules^[88]	United States	Tactical airlifter	9	Nine aircraft in inventory of which six are operational and the three others are being used for spare parts
Douglas DC-3^[87]	United States	Electronic warfare Transport	8	Five aircraft provide maritime patrol
Cessna 208^[87]	United States	Radar jamming Transport / utility	7
CASA C-212 Aviocar^[87]	Spain	Transport	3
Pilatus PC-12^[87]	Switzerland	Transport	2
Super King Air^[87]	United States	Transport	4
Boeing 737 (BBJ)	United States	VIP presidential transport	1
Citation II^[89]	United States	VIP transport	2
Dassault Falcon 50^[90]	France	VIP transport	2
Dassault Falcon 900^[91]	France	VIP transport	1
UAVs
Milkor 380^[92]	South Africa	MALE UCAV	5	Ordered in November 2022 Around 30 systems planned to be produced
Denel Bateleur^[93]	South Africa	MALE UCAV	Planned	In development for the air force
Helicopters
Atlas Oryx^[87]	South Africa	Transport / utility helicopter	39	The oryx has a crew of 3 and can carry 20 fully equipped troops
Denel Rooivalk^[87]	South Africa	Attack helicopter	11	11 Rooivalk Mk1 in service as of 2023 Mk2 under development^[94]
BK 117^[87]	Germany	Utility / light attack helicopter	6
AgustaWestland AW109^[87]	Italy	Utility helicopter	26
Westland Super Lynx 300^[87]	United Kingdom	Anti-submarine warfare	4
Notable aircraft
Atlas Cheetah^[95]	South Africa	Multirole fighter	68	All retired from service in 2008 and placed in storage due to lack of aerial threats, replaced by 26 JAS 39 Gripen
Mirage F1AZ and CZ^[96]	France	Fighter	51	All retired from service in 1997 and replaced by Atlas Cheetah
Mirage III^[96]	France	Fighter	57	All retired from service in 1990 and replaced by Atlas Cheetah

Type	Name	Origin	Notes
27mm revolver cannon	Mauser BK-27^[97]	Germany	Primary gun for the JAS 39 Gripen.
Gunship cannon	F2 20mm Cannon^[97]	South Africa	Rooivalk
Air to Air Missile	A-Darter^[98]	South Africa Brazil	Mounted on Gripen C, Gripen D, Hawk 120 (Hawk integration in progress, not yet operational)
Air to Air Missile	IRIS-T^[97]	Germany	Mounted on Gripen C, Gripen D
Cruise Missile	MUPSOW^[99]	South Africa	In development for the airforce, not known if it entered service
Cruise Missile	TORGOS^[99]	South Africa	Long-range, precision-guided strike missile
Reconnaissance / Targeting Pod	Litening III targeting pod^[97]	United States	Gripen C, Gripen D
	Vicon 18-601E^[97]	France	Hawk Mk120
	Digital Joint Reconnaissance Pod^[97]	United Kingdom	Gripen C, Gripen D
	Argos 410-Z^[97]	South Africa	C208 Caravan, A109 LUH
Rocket Launcher	Type 159 Launcher^[97]	South Africa	Rooivalk
Rocket	FZ90 70mm FFAR^[97]	Belgium	Rooivalk
Laser-guided bomb	GBU-12 Paveway II^[97]	United States	Gripen C, Gripen D
Precision-guided bomb	Umbani PGM^[100]	South Africa	Hawk Mk 120 (Integrated but not acquired)
Free-fall bomb	120 kg Fragmentation Bomb^[97]	South Africa	Gripen C, Gripen D, Hawk Mk 120
	120 kg Low-Drag Bomb^[97]	South Africa	Gripen C, Gripen D, Hawk Mk 120
	145 kg Bomb^[97]	South Africa	Gripen C, Gripen D, Hawk Mk 120
	460 kg Bomb^[97]	South Africa	Gripen C, Gripen D, Hawk Mk 120
	12.5 kg Practice Bomb^[97]	South Africa	Hawk Mk 120
	4.5 kg Practice Bomb^[97]	South Africa	Hawk Mk 120