Maritime Reaction Squadron | |
---|---|
South African marines during an exercise | |
Founded | 2006 |
Country | |
Branch | |
Type | Marine infantry |
Role | Combat Diving |
Size | Battalion |
Part of |
The Maritime Reaction Squadron (MRS) is a specialised marine-like unit of the South African Navy that provides a combat ready amphibious, diving and small boat capability to the Navy. [1]
Formed as the Naval Rapid Deployment Force (NRDF) in 2005, [2] the MRS deploys infantry-trained South African Navy personnel in various peacekeeping roles within the African continent and to assist in boarding operations at sea, humanitarian operations and disaster relief. [1]
The end of the South African Border War saw the disbandment of the South Africa Marine Corps, leaving the South African Navy without an amphibious element. [3] After the integration of the South African National Defence Force the Navy was increasingly called on to assist with peace keeping operations. Realising that this situation would continue, the then Chief of the Navy Refiloe Johannes Mudimu, decided to create this capability by creating a Naval Rapid Deployment Force. [2] An Operational Boat Squadron was formed in 2006 [4] to ensure that South Africa could commit meaningfully to the peace keeping at the Great Lakes. [3]
The Rapid Deployment Force became the Maritime Reaction Squadron on 1 September 2006. [3] The unit was formally commissioned on 8 December 2008. [5] Following the creating of the MRS the Operational Boat Squadron was upgraded to the Operational Boat Division. [3]
The squadron consists of the following components:
Name | Type | Origin | Image | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Vektor Z88 | Semi-automatic pistol | 15-round magazine; licence-built Beretta 92F. | ||
Heckler & Koch MP5 | Submachine gun | |||
Denel NTW-20 | Anti-materiel rifle | 20x82 mm and 14.5 mm variants | ||
Vektor R1 | Battle rifle | FN-FAL made under licence | ||
Vektor R4 and R5 assault rifles | Assault rifle | Multiple variants | ||
Denel Land Systems SS-77 | General purpose machine gun | Used on the Namacurra-class harbour patrol boat. | ||
M1919 Browning | Medium machine gun | Used on the Namacurra-class harbour patrol boat. | ||
FN MAG | General purpose machine gun | Used on the Namacurra-class harbour patrol boat. | ||
M2 Browning | Heavy machine gun | |||
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