Fact Files

Fact file: The SA Armoured Corps

The tank was invented, more or less simultaneously, in Britain and France in 1915, to support the infantry in crossing the machine...

Fact file: The SA Air Defence Artillery

During World War One (WW1, 1914-1918), the threat posed by enemy aircraft forced all belligerents to allocate to some artillery and machine...

Fact file: DoD Acquisition Process

The Department of Defence (DoD) has an intricate acquisition process to vet the need for any given buy, ensure the integrity of...

Fact file: The SA Infantry Corps

The South African Infantry Corps (SAIC) is the single largest professional group within the SA National Defence Force (SANDF), with some suggesting...

Fact file: Lilian Ngoyi class environmental inshore patrol vessels

In addition to the fishery protection duties, the Lilian Ngoyi-class environmental inshore patrol vessels vessels are equipped to conduct oil spill countermeasure...

Fact file: T-class Inshore Patrol Vessel

This very lightly armed catamaran is used as an inshore patrol boat by the South African Navy. Vessels of the class: ...

Fact file: Namacurra-class harbour patrol boats

Built in South Africa by Tornado Products in 1980-81 these harbour patrol boats can also be transported by road. Some have been...

Fact file: River-class inshore patrol vessel/minehunter

South Africa acquired these German-designed vessels under the guise of "research vessels". In fact they were very capable minehunters fitted with sophisticated...

Fact file: Denel Dynamics Umkhonto short-range infra-red-guided point air defence missile system

South Africa joined the handful of nations to have fielded a functional operational naval anti-missile air defence systems with the successful firing...

Fact file: Heroine-class diesel-electric submarine

The Heroine-class diesel-electric boats are the first true submarines to be acquired by the Navy, meaning they perform better underwater than surfaced....

Fact file: SF: Hornet Rapid Deployment Reconnaissance Vehicle

The Hornet Rapid Deployment Reconnaissance Vehicles (RDRV) is the standard reconnaissance vehicle of the South African Special Forces. Pic: The author test driving...

Fact file: Equipment of the SA Police Service Air Wing

The South African Police Air Wing currently has the following equipment holdings: A police BO 105 LUH Helicopters ...

Fact file: Lockheed Martin C130BZ Hercules medium tactical transport

The South African Air Force C-130 fleet consists of seven platforms (401 - 407) purchased in 1963 before a US arms embargo...

Fact file: Casspir MRAP

An estimated 2500 of these superb have been built since the first prototype rolled out of the TFM plant in April 1979....

Fact file: Warrior-class offshore patrol vessel

South Africa contracted with Israel for six of these vessels in 1974 – three to be built in Israel and the rest...

Fact file: Airbus Military A400M medium transport

The Airbus Military A400M is a pan-European four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed to replace or supplement aircraft used in the tactical...

Fact file: Valour-class small guided missile frigates

The Valour-class frigate is a multi-purpose and multi-capable vessel suitable for executing various naval missions. Frigates are the workhorses of any navy....

Fact file: SANDF projects: past, present & future

Known South African National Defence force (SANDF) projects, past, present and future, presented alphabetically per Service/Division. The information below was compiled from...

Fact file: SF: ZU-23-2 Bosvark

Introduced in 1957, the ZU-23-2 is a lightweight, automatic, towed anti-aircraft gun system. The ZU (Zenitnaya Ustanovka) translates anti-aircraft system. Formerly assigned...

Fact file: CASA CN235

The South Arican Air Force operats one CN235 in the medium transport role. Designation: ...

Fact file: Cessna C208 Caravan

A handy turbo-prop light transport used by the South African Air Force. ...

Fact file: CASA C212 Aviocar

A twin-engine light transport used by the South African Air Force.  ...

Fact file: Douglas C47TP Dakota

The venerable Douglas Dakota soldiers on in the South African Air Force. ...

Fact file: Defence Logistic Division

The DOD Logistic Division "is to provide an integrated, joint logistics support system to the DOD and customers as determined by the...

Fact file: Staff Organisation

US Army Field Manual 101-5, Staff Organisation and Operations1, explains staffs exist to help the commander make and implement decisions. "Staff organisations...

Fact file: Lt Gen Themba Matanzima

Lieutenant General (Lt Gen) Themba Templeton Matanzima was appointed Chief of Joint Operations on September 1, 2007 following the death of incumbent...

Fact file: The Olifant main battle tank

 The armoured fist of the SA Army.  ...

Fact file: Mamba APC/MRAP

 The Mamba MRAP is used as an armoured personnel carrier by the motorised infantry. It should not be confused with the BAE...

Fact file: Rooikat armoured car

 The standard armoured car of the SA Armoured Corps. ...

Fact file: The Ratel infantry combat vehicle

 The Ratel is the standard infantry fighting vehicle of the SA Army's mechanised infantry.    ...

Fact file: R4 assault rifle

The standard assault rifle of the SA Army. Pictured here is an  early model with wooden furniture and carrying handle.  ...

Fact file: R1 battle rifle

The standard rifle of the SA Army up to the 1980s.  ...

Fact file: Chiefs of the SA Air Force

The head of the South African Air Force is called the Chief of the Air Force. Below follows a list of all...

Fact file: Chiefs of J Ops

The head of the Joint Operations (J Ops) Division is called the Chief of Joint Operations. Below follows a Roll of General...

Fact file: Chiefs of the South African Navy

The head of the SA Navy is called the Chief of the SA Navy. Below follows a list of all incumbents in...

Fact file: Chiefs of the SANDF,past and present

The following officers have commanded the statutory armed forces of the Republic of South Africa: SA National Defence Force (1994 – present) Chief...

Fact file: General Godfrey Nhlanhla Ngwenya

General Godfrey Nhlanhla Ngwenya was born in Johannesburg on 28 April 1950. He was Chief of the South African National Defence Force...

Fact file: SAN readiness

The SA Navy (SAN) rotates its vessels throughout their service lives to allow or both operational and maintenance periods. This allows the...

Fact file: Ranking African Navies

The ranking of navies is highly controversial. Retired Rear Admiral (and now consultant) Rolf Hauter says he is "rather sceptical of ranking...

Fact file: The Special Forces

Not unlike the concept of joint operations, Special Forces (SF) are themselves a modern development, also dating to the Second World War....

Fact file: Special Forces training

The rite of passage to earn the Special Forces Operators Badge is long and arduous. It begins with joining one of the Services of...

Fact file: Link ZA

Link ZA is a digital network protocol developed by Thales Advanced Engineering1, a South African company that should not be confused with...

Fact file: SF: KPV 14.5mm heavy machine gun

The KPV is so far the most powerful machinegun ever manufactured in quantity, having about twice muzzle energy of 12.7mm machine guns....

Fact file: Special Forces main equipment

The main weapon of any Special Forces Operator, anywhere, is his mind. His main skills are those of improvisation and teamwork. As...

Fact file: Denel M1 Oryx

The Denel M1 Oryx is the standard – and only – medium utility helicopter of the South African Air Force.     ...