This is a list of the military equipment of South Africa, including the Army, Air force, and Navy.
Name | Image | Type | Origin | Versions | Number | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Handguns | ||||||
Vektor Z88 [1] | ![]() | Semi-automatic pistol | ![]() | - | N/A | 15-round magazine standard-issue sidearm. License-built Beretta 92F. |
Vektor SP1 | ![]() | Semi-automatic pistol | ![]() | - | N/A | 15-round magazine standard issue side arm alongside the Z88. |
Submachine guns | ||||||
Milkor BXP | ![]() | Submachine gun | ![]() | - | N/A | 32-round magazine indigenously designed 9mm submachine gun. |
Assault rifles | ||||||
Vektor R4 [2] | ![]() | Assault rifle | ![]() | - | N/A | 35-round magazine standard service rifle. Modernized in 2010 under Project African Warrior. |
Vektor R5 [3] | ![]() | Carbine | ![]() | - | N/A | Carbine version of the Vektor R4. |
Anti-material & Sniper rifles | ||||||
Truvelo CMS [4] [5] | ![]() | Bolt action sniper rifle | ![]() | .338 Lapua .50 BMG 7.62×51mm | 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 | ![]() | - | 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 | ![]() | - | N/A | Used for crowd control. |
Machine guns | ||||||
Vektor SS-77 [9] | ![]() | General-purpose machine gun | ![]() | - | 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 | ![]() | - | 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 | ![]() | 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 | ![]() | - | N/A | Belt fed machine gun mainly mounted on Tripods, armoured and infantry vehicles. |
Grenade launchers | ||||||
Milkor MGL [13] | ![]() | Grenade launcher | ![]() | 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 | ![]() | - | 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 | ![]() | - | 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 | ![]() | - | 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 | ![]() | - | N/A | |
Carl Gustaf M4 [18] | ![]() | 84mm recoilless rifle | ![]() | - | N/A | |
M40 recoilless rifle [19] | ![]() | 105mm recoilless rifle | ![]() | - | 171 | |
ZT3 Leopard [20] | ![]() | Anti-tank guided missile | ![]() | - | 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 | ![]() | - | 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 | ![]() | - | 178 [23] | |
Mortars | ||||||
M4 Commando Mortar [24] | | 60 mm long-range light mortar | ![]() | - | 2300+ | Upgraded in 2016 with improved range and accuracy. |
M3 Mortar [25] | ![]() | 81 mm long-range medium mortar | ![]() | M3 M8 | 1890 | 1890 mortars in service with the South African Army Infantry Formation. |
M5 120mm Mortar | ![]() | 120 mm long-range heavy mortar | ![]() | - | 36 | 36 mortars are in service with 18 Light Regiment. |
Grenades | ||||||
M26 grenade [26] | ![]() | Fragmentation hand grenade | ![]() | - | N/A | |
M854 Smoke Grenade [27] | Smoke grenade | ![]() | - | N/A | ||
RDM Illuminating Hand Grenade [28] | Hand grenade | ![]() | - | N/A | ||
RDM Bullet Trap (BT) Rifle Grenades [29] | Rifle grenade | ![]() | - | N/A | ||
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]
Vehicle | Image | Type | Origin | Versions | Number | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Main battle tanks | ||||||
Olifant [31] | | Main battle tank | ![]() | 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 | ![]() | - | 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 | ![]() | - | 52 | Ratel IFV equipped with a triple ZT3 Ingwe ATGM launcher. |
Infantry fighting vehicles (IFV) | ||||||
Badger IFV [34] | ![]() | Infantry fighting vehicle | ![]() | - | 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 | ![]() | - | 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 20 mm cannon), Ratel 60 (armed with a 60 mm breech-loading mortar), Ratel 90 (armed with a 90 mm Denel GT-2 low-velocity anti-tank gun), command variant, fire-support vehicle and an 81 mm mortar carrier. 666 Ratels in reserve squadrons / storage. |
Armoured personnel carriers (APC) | ||||||
Mamba [37] | ![]() | MRAP armoured personnel carrier | ![]() | 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 | ![]() | 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 | ![]() | 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 | ![]() | - | ? | IMV with significant protection against anti-tank mines and small arms fire. |
Husky VMMD [41] [42] | ![]() | Vehicle mounted mine detection system / MRAP | ![]() | - | 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. |
Name | Image | Type | Origin | Versions | Number | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Self-propelled artillery | ||||||
GV6 Rhino [43] | ![]() | 155mm self-propelled howitzer | ![]() | G6-52 | 43 | Locally developed mine-resistant long-range 155 mm self-propelled howitzer. The South African Army received 153 GV6 self-propelled howitzers between 2000 and 2010 and sold 102 of them. |
T5-52 Condor [44] | ![]() | 155mm self-propelled howitzer | ![]() | - | 6 | Locally developed long-range 155 mm 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 | ![]() | G5-2000 | 72 | Locally developed long-range towed 155 mm howitzer. The GV5 Leopard is a towed version of the GV6 Rhino. |
GV1 25 [45] | ![]() | 87mm towed howitzer | ![]() | - | 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 | ![]() | - | 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 | ![]() | - | 76 | Long-range 127mm missile launcher. 24 launch tubes mounted on an armoured 4×4 truck. |
Name | Image | Type | Origin | Versions | Number | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Anti-aircraft guns | ||||||
Oerlikon GDF [48] | ![]() | Radar guided anti-aircraft autocannon | ![]() ![]() | 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 | ![]() | - | 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 | ![]() | - | ? | 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 | ![]() | 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 | ![]() | - | At least 4 | Acquired under Project Klooster. |
ESR220 Thutlwa [53] | ![]() | Mobile battery fire control post and early warning radar | ![]() | - | 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 | ![]() | - | 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 | ![]() | - | 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 | ![]() | - | ? | 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 | ![]() ![]() | - | 100 in service | Used by the Parachute Regiment and Special Forces. |
SAMIL 20 [58] [59] | ![]() | 4×4 armoured military truck | ![]() | - | 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 | ![]() | - | 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 | ![]() | - | 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 | ![]() | 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 | ![]() | - | Several thousand | Primarily utilised as prime movers, firefighting vehicles and low-bed transporters. |
![]() | 8x8 heavy armoured military truck | |||||
Giraffe [71] | ![]() | Logistics truck | ![]() | - | ? | Designated as "Giraffe". Used as a cargo/vehicle transporter. |
Toyota Dyna [72] | ![]() | Medium-duty truck | ![]() | - | ? | Designated as "Wildebees" |
Scania transport buses | ![]() | Personnel transport bus | ![]() | - | ? | These buses are used to ferry personnel to and from bases. |
Various cars and light trucks. | No image available | Light armoured tactical vehicle | ![]() ![]() ![]() | - | ? | Various civilian utility vehicles are utilized by the army for light transport/patrol purposes (primarily Ford, Toyota and Land Rover vehicles). |
Ship | Image | Type | Origin | Number | Displacement | Notes | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Frigates (4 in service) | |||||||||
Valour class | ![]() | Stealth guided-missile frigate | ![]() | 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 | ![]() | 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 | ![]() | 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 | ![]() ![]() | 1 | 450 tonnes | To be replaced by the Warrior-class Multi-role patrol vessels. | |||
T class [77] | | Inshore patrol vessel | ![]() | 3 | 37 tonnes | Built by T-Craft International in Cape Town. | |||
Namacurra class [78] | ![]() | Harbour patrol boat | ![]() | 26 | 4 tonnes | Harbour patrol boats equipped with machine guns. | |||
Minesweepers (2 in service) | |||||||||
River class [79] | ![]() | Minesweeper | ![]() ![]() | 2 | 390 tonnes | Minesweeper / Patrol vessel. | |||
Auxiliary vessels (7 in service) | |||||||||
Drakensberg class [80] | ![]() | Fleet replenishment ship | ![]() | 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 | ![]() | 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 | ![]() | 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 | ![]() | 5 | N/A | ||||
Landing craft (6 in service) | |||||||||
Lima-class utility landing craft [83] | No image available | Landing Craft Utility | ![]() | 6 | N/A |
Type | Name | Origin | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
27mm revolver cannon | Mauser BK-27 [97] | ![]() | Primary gun for the JAS 39 Gripen. |
Gunship cannon | F2 20mm Cannon [97] | ![]() | Rooivalk |
Air to Air Missile | A-Darter [98] | ![]() ![]() | Mounted on Gripen C, Gripen D, Hawk 120 (Hawk integration in progress, not yet operational) |
IRIS-T [97] | ![]() | Mounted on Gripen C, Gripen D | |
Cruise Missile | MUPSOW [99] | ![]() | In development for the airforce, not known if it entered service |
TORGOS [99] | ![]() | Long-range, precision-guided strike missile | |
Reconnaissance / Targeting Pod | Litening III targeting pod [97] | ![]() | Gripen C, Gripen D |
Vicon 18-601E [97] | ![]() | Hawk Mk120 | |
Digital Joint Reconnaissance Pod [97] | ![]() | Gripen C, Gripen D | |
Argos 410-Z [97] | ![]() | C208 Caravan, A109 LUH | |
Rocket Launcher | Type 159 Launcher [97] | ![]() | Rooivalk |
Rocket | FZ90 70mm FFAR [97] | ![]() | Rooivalk |
Laser-guided bomb | GBU-12 Paveway II [97] | ![]() | Gripen C, Gripen D |
Precision-guided bomb | Umbani PGM [100] | ![]() | Hawk Mk 120 (Integrated but not acquired) |
Free-fall bomb | 120 kg Fragmentation Bomb [97] | ![]() | Gripen C, Gripen D, Hawk Mk 120 |
120 kg Low-Drag Bomb [97] | ![]() | Gripen C, Gripen D, Hawk Mk 120 | |
145 kg Bomb [97] | ![]() | Gripen C, Gripen D, Hawk Mk 120 | |
460 kg Bomb [97] | ![]() | Gripen C, Gripen D, Hawk Mk 120 | |
12.5 kg Practice Bomb [97] | ![]() | Hawk Mk 120 | |
4.5 kg Practice Bomb [97] | ![]() | Hawk Mk 120 |
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