List of equipment of the South African Army

The South African Army maintains a wide variety of military equipment. Due to how large and secretive the South African Army is, it is currently almost impossible to calculate all weaponry in the army.

Infantry equipment

Model	Image	Origin	Type	Calibre	Notes
Handguns
Vektor Z88[1]		South Africa	Semi-automatic pistol	9×19mm Parabellum	15-round magazine. License-built Beretta 92F. Standard issue side arm since 1989 alongside the SP1.
Vektor SP1		South Africa	Semi-automatic pistol	9×19mm Parabellum	15-round magazine. Standard issue side arm alongside the Z88 since 1992.
Submachine guns
Milkor BXP[2]		South Africa	Submachine gun	9×19mm Parabellum	22 or 32-round magazines. An indigenously designed 9mm submachine gun similar in appearance to the MAC-10. In service since 1984.
Assault rifles & Battle rifles
Vektor R4[3]		South Africa	Assault rifle	5.56×45mm NATO	35-round magazine. Standard Service rifle since 1980. Can be fitted with various optical sights. Modernized in 2010 under Project African Warrior.[4]
Vektor R5[3]		South Africa	Carbine rifle	5.56×45mm NATO	35-round magazine. Carbine version of the Vektor R4.
Vektor R1[5]		South Africa	Designated marksman rifle	7.62×51mm NATO	20-round magazine. Former service rifle of the South African Army. Remaining rifles in service are used in and anti-poaching patrols and others made into designated marksman rifles.[6]
Precision rifles
Denel NTW-20[7]		South Africa	Anti-materiel rifle	20×82mm 14.5×114mm	3-round magazine. In service since 1998 by the South African Special Forces and Army Infantry sniper sections. Comes equipped with the 8 × 56 Lynx Telescopic sight.
Truvelo CMS[8]		South Africa	Bolt action sniper rifle	.338 Lapua .50 BMG 7.62x51mm NATO	Additional .338 Lapua, .50 cal and 7.62mm Truvelo CMS ordered by the South African Army in 2018.
Shotguns
Stoeger SP312[9]		Turkey	Pump-action shotgun	12 gauge	Used for crowd control.
Machine guns
Vektor SS-77[10]		South Africa	General-purpose machine gun	7.62×51mm NATO	Belt-fed GPMG in service since 1986 alongside the FN MAG. 100-round pear-shaped pouch in general use, 200-round rigid box. Can use both non-disintegrating DM1 and NATO M13 or R1M1 disintegrating link belts.
FN MAG[11]		Belgium	General-purpose machine gun	7.62×51mm NATO	Belt-fed GPMG. Main automatic weapon of dismounted infantry sections. 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[10]		United States  South Africa	Medium machine gun	7.62×51mm NATO	M1919A4 Browning Medium Machine gun modified by Lyttleton Engineering Works, now Denel Land Systems, to fire the 7.62×51mm round. It is Belt fed and generally fitted to armoured and infantry vehicles as well as certain helicopters as a secondary or tertiary armament.
M2 Browning[10]		United States  South Africa	Heavy machine gun	.50 BMG	Belt fed machine gun mainly mounted on Tripods, armoured and infantry vehicles.
Grenade launchers
Milkor MGL[12][13]		South Africa	Grenade launcher	40×46mm grenade	The Milkor Y2 entered service in 1983 and the latest Milkor Y4 SuperSix entered service in 2019.
Denel Y3 AGL[12]		South Africa	Automatic grenade launcher	High-velocity 40×53mm grenade	A belt-fed, high velocity, long-recoil, open-breech grenade launcher in service. Ideally used as a tripod-mounted support weapon for infantry or mounted on a vehicle. Electronic indirect sight and Aim point direct sight can be mounted.
Anti-tank weapons
RPG-7[14]		Soviet Union	Rocket-propelled grenade launcher	N/A	Large numbers of RPG-7s were captured during the mid-1970s and are used as the primary infantry anti-armour rocket launcher and is deployed at section level for use against armoured vehicles. Currently the Army is looking for a replacement for this ageing system.
AT4[15]		Sweden	84mm smoothbore recoilless rifle	N/A	In testing as replacement for RPG-7.
Carl Gustaf M4[15]		Sweden	84mm recoilless rifle	N/A	In testing as replacement for RPG-7.
M40 recoilless rifle[14]		United States	105mm recoilless rifle	N/A	A direct-fire, crew served weapon issued in units of six to the motorised and airborne infantry anti-tank platoons. 171 systems in service.
MILAN ER[16]		France	Anti-tank guided missile system	N/A	46 Milan ADT (Advanced Digital Technology) launchers as well as 300+[17][18] Milan ER (extended range) SACLOS missiles are in service since 2007[19] with the Army’s airborne and motorised infantry battalions as well as with the Special Forces Brigade. Soldiers train on the four simulators acquired from MBDA. All systems are equipped with Video output devices and 15 launchers are equipped with Thermal imaging systems.
ZT3 Ingwe[20]		South Africa	Anti-tank guided missile system	N/A	Multipurpose long-range beam-riding precision guided missile. The missile is launched from a triple launcher atop a modified Ratel infantry combat vehicle, known as the ZT3. 13 launchers are upgraded and 80 newer ZT3A2 missiles were delivered to the army in 2005 as part of Project Adrift. The missile is used by the Armoured Corps and the Mechanized infantry battalions.
Grenades
M26[21]		South Africa	Fragmentation hand grenade	N/A	Manufactured by Rheinmetall Denel Munitions, based on a US design. In service with the South African Army Infantry Formation.
RDM Illuminating Hand Grenade[22]	No image available	South Africa	Hand grenade	N/A	A grenade which consists of an aluminium case containing the illuminating composition, to which is fitted a conventional fly-off lever striker mechanism. The illuminating grenade provides sufficient light for target identification and attack. The grenade can also be used as a light source for emergency conditions when other pyrotechnic light sources are not available.
M854 Smoke Grenade[22]	No image available	South Africa	Smoke grenade	N/A	A grenade which consists of a cylindrical tinplate body containing the smoke composition, a spring-loaded striker mechanism of the fly-off lever type and a pyrotechnic igniter/delay system. The fly-off lever is retained by a conventional safety pin and pull ring. The grenade has a variety of signalling applications and may also be used for screening and for training exercises in riot control.
RDM Bullet Trap (BT) Rifle Grenades[23]	No image available	South Africa	Rifle grenade	54mm (HE/AP), 60mm (HE/DP)	Second generation South African rifle grenades manufactured by Rheinmetall Denel Munitions (formerly Swartklip Products, a division of Denel). The grenade incorporates a bullet trap and deflector in the tail tube. This allows them to be fired without the need to unload the rifle of its ammunition. Bullet Trap rifle grenades available includes HE/AP (High Explosive/Anti-Personnel), Practice and HE/DP (High Explosive/Dual Purpose) grenades. The HE/DP type has a shaped charge warhead which can penetrate 150 mm of rolled homogeneous armour or 450 mm of reinforced concrete. Grenades can be fired from both 5.56mm and 7.62mm rifles in the South African arsenal.
75mm HEAT rifle grenade[22]	No image available	South Africa	Rifle grenade	75mm HEAT	A shaped charge grenade, based on the Belgian ENERGA anti-tank rifle grenade and designed to be fired from most 7.62mm rifles. Can penetrate 275 mm of rolled homogeneous armour. Presumably largely phased out of South African service along with the large majority of 7.62mm R1 rifles. No longer in production.

Vehicles

Armoured combat vehicles

Vehicle	Image	Origin	Type	Quantity	Notes
Tanks
Olifant[24]		South Africa	Main battle tank	64 (Active) 131 (Reserve)	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.[25] ~ 131 MK1A/1B ~ 38 MK1A/1B ~ 26 MK2 ~ 2 Armoured Bridge-layers ~ 16 armoured recovery vehicles (ARV)
Tank destroyers
Rooikat[26]		South Africa	Tank destroyer	240 (Active) 150 (Reserve)	Armoured car used for reconnaissance, aggressive search-and-destroy, anti-armour operations, combat patrols, raids and hot pursuit operations.[27]
Ratel ZT-3[28]		South Africa	Tank destroyer	16 (Active) 36 (Reserve)	Ratel IFV equipped with a triple ZT3 Ingwe ATGM launcher. Provides additional Anti-Tank capability to the Armoured Corps and Mechanized Infantry Battalions
Infantry fighting vehicles
Badger IFV[29]		South Africa	Infantry fighting vehicle	250 (Ordered)	According to the Project Hoefyster contract there will be five versions: a standard infantry carrier, a command car, fire support variant, mortar carrier and tank destroyer.[30]
Ratel IFV[28]		South Africa	Infantry fighting vehicle	534 (Active) 666 (Reserve)	Primary armoured fighting vehicle in service with the South African Mechanized infantry units. 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 gun), command variant, fire-support vehicle and an 81mm mortar carrier.
Armoured personnel carriers
Mamba[31]		South Africa	Armoured personnel carrier, MRAP	440 (Active) 400 (Reserve)	Mine-resistant APC with significant protection against anti-tank mines and small arms fire. Hundreds of unserviceable Mamba APC's were refurbished and brought back into service at the end of 2023.[32]
MAX 3[33]		South Africa	Armoured personnel carrier	?	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.
Casspir[34]		South Africa	Infantry mobility vehicle, MRAP	840 (Active) 200 (Reserve)	Infantry mobility vehicle 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. Hundreds of unserviceable Casspir MRAP's were refurbished and brought back into service at the end of 2023.[32]
RG-31 Charger[35][36]		South Africa	Infantry mobility vehicle, MRAP	?	Infantry mobility vehicle with significant small arms fire and mine blast protection.
Husky VMMD[37][38]		South Africa	Vehicle mounted mine detection system, MRAP	?	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 second Husky in the system tows a trailer called a "Duisendpoot" and is known as a towing /mine detection vehicle (T/MDV). The latest version of the Husky, the 2G, has high sensitivity low metal content detectors, ground penetrating radar, powerful air blowers and a robotic arm.

Logistics and utility vehicles

Vehicle	Image	Origin	Type	Quantity	Notes
Gecko 8×8 ATV[39]		South Africa  Canada	All-terrain utility vehicle	100	Used by the Parachute Regiment and Special Forces.
SAMIL 20[40][41]		South Africa	4×4 logistics truck	Several thousand	Upgraded Magirus Deutz 130M7FAL 4×4 2-ton (load) truck. The trucks serve as the primary off-road light general purpose truck of the SANDF and comes in several variants, each fulfilling a different role. These include general cargo/fuel/troop transport variants, artillery fire control posts, variants with office and workshop bodies, a battery charger variant, a light recovery variant (designated "Pegasus") and a variant with a Light General Repair(LAD) rear body.
SAMIL 50[42][43]		South Africa	4×4 military logistics truck	Several thousand	Upgraded Magirus Deutz 192D12AL 4×4 5-ton (load) truck. Trucks are utilised in different roles as personnel/cargo transporters, field repair and maintenance vehicles, water/fuel transporters, field recovery vehicles (variant designated as "Springbok"), refuse collection trucks, mobile showers, mobile offices, bridge transporters, radio and technical bins and pantry vehicles(with refrigeration capability).
SAMIL 100[44]		South Africa	6×6 military logistics truck	Several thousand	Upgraded Magirus Deutz 320D22AL 6×6 10-ton (load) truck. Trucks are utilised in different roles as personnel/cargo transporters, water/fuel transporters, field recovery vehicles (variant designated as "Kameel"/Mine protected variant designated as "Withings"), dry canteen vehicles, field repair and maintenance vehicles (designated as "Waterbok"), UAV launchers, UAV recovery vehicles and gun tractors (for towed artillery pieces).
Kynos Aljaba Trucks[45]		South Africa	8×8 heavy military logistics truck	Several thousand	The army employs several variants of this vehicle. The "Skimmel" is a heavy recovery vehicle which is fitted with a tow arm, a winch, a crane and various other equipment. The "Zebra" is a maintenance and repair variant of the truck. The "Kameelperd" version carries the Army Air Defence Artillery's ESR220 Thutlwa mobile battery fire control post and early warning radar. The trucks also have tank transport and bridge layer variants.
MAN Trucks[46]		Germany South Africa	8x8 heavy military logistics truck	Several thousand	Primarily utilised as prime movers, firefighting vehicles and low-bed transporters.
Giraffe[47]		Italy	8x8 heavy military logistics truck	Unknown	Designated as "Giraffe". Used as a cargo/vehicle transporter.
Toyota Dyna[47]		Japan	Medium-duty truck	Unknown	Designated as "Wildebees"
Scania transport buses		Sweden	Personnel transport bus	Unknown	These buses are used to ferry personnel to and from bases.
Various cars and light trucks.	No image available	South Africa  Japan  United States  United Kingdom	Light armoured utility vehicles	Unknown	Various civilian utility vehicles are utilized by the army for light transport/patrol purposes (primarily Ford, Toyota and Land Rover vehicles).

Artillery

Model	Image	Origin	Type	Quantity	Notes
Rocket artillery
Bateleur MRL[48]		South Africa	Self-propelled multiple rocket launcher	25	127mm standard multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) of the South African Army Artillery Formation. 40 launch tubes mounted on an armoured Samil 100 6×6 truck.
Valkiri MRL[48]		South Africa	Self-propelled multiple rocket launcher	76	127mm multiple launch rocket system (MLRS). 24 launch tubes mounted on a Unimog light 4×4 truck.
Self-propelled artillery
G6 Rhino[49]		South Africa	Self-propelled howitzer	43	Locally developed long range 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer. The South African Army received 153 GV6 howitzers between 2000-2010 and sold 102 of them.
T5-52 Condor[50][51]		South Africa	Self-propelled howitzer	6	Locally developed long range 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer.
Towed artillery
G5 Leopard[52]		South Africa	Towed howitzer	72	Long-range towed 155mm howitzer. Small amounts of artillery pieces are used by the School of Artillery to train gun crews from multiple regiments.
GV1 25-pounder[53]		United Kingdom	Towed howitzer	32	GV1 88mm guns are still maintained in several reserve regiments such as the Cape Field Artillery regiment and the Transvaal Horse Artillery which they fire on ceremonial occasions.[53]
Mortars
M4 Commando Mortar[54][55]		South Africa	60mm light mortar	2300+	Uses the M-61 series of bombs in High Explosive, Smoke, Illumination and Practice versions. In use with the Special Forces and Airborne Infantry. Upgraded in 2016 with improved range and accuracy.[56]
M3 Mortar[54]		South Africa	81mm medium mortar	1890	1890 mortars in service with the South African Army Infantry Formation.
M5 120mm Mortar		Israel	120mm heavy mortar	36	36 mortars are in service with 18 Light Regiment

Air defense

Model	Image	Origin	Type	Quantity	Notes
Surface-to-air missiles
Umkhonto GBADS[57]		South Africa	Surface-to-air missile system	?	Up to 120 systems planned. The Umkhonto GBADS vertical launching system is being developed for the South African Army’s ground-based air defence system (GBADS) requirement. The Umkhonto GBADS can carry up to eight Umkhonto-R and Umkhonto-IR (Infrared) Mk II missiles.
Starstreak[58]		United Kingdom	Manportable/Vehicle mounted surface-to-air missile	178 (Active) 92 (Ordered)	Eight Lightweight Multiple Launchers (LML), two 20 km-range Thales Page continuous-wave (CW) low-observable battery air defence local warning radars as well as about 100 VSHORAD (very short range air defence) high-velocity missiles were ordered in December 2002 and are in use with 10 Air Defence Artillery Regiment. These missiles have a range of between 5–7 km. Stockholm International Peace Research Institute lists the number of Portable SAMs delivered as 96 for the GBADS phase 1 project with another order for 82[59]
Anti-aircraft guns
Oerlikon GDF (Skyshield)[60]		Switzerland  Germany	Radar guided anti-aircraft autocannon	169	169 acquired (along with 75 Super Fledermaus fire control units) These guns were upgraded by Rheinmetall AG in 2017 to use Oerlikon Skyshield fire control systems and Ahead airburst ammunition capable of shooting down modern aerial threats.[61]
ZU-23-2 Zumlac[62]		Soviet Union	Twin 23mm anti-aircraft autocannon	36	These guns were captured in the 1980s during the South African Border War and are mounted on armoured SAMIL 100 heavy trucks.

Miscellaneous equipment

Model	Image	Origin	Type	Quantity	Notes
Seeker 400[63]		South Africa	Unmanned aerial vehicle	36	The Seeker 400 is the latest variant of the Seeker UAVs manufactured by South Africa's Denel Dynamics. SANDF Took delivery of the first Seeker 400 in 2015, in 2021 a SANDF Seeker 400 crashed.[64]
ATE Vulture[65]		South Africa	Unmanned aerial vehicle	4	Acquired under Project Klooster. The Vulture is used for target acquisition, fall-of-shot detection and fire correction in support of Towed and Self Propelled Gun Howitzer Systems of the SA Army Artillery Formation. It operates without a pilot or a runway and is deployable in 30 minutes in unprepared terrain. The UAV is launched from a catapult on the back of a SAMIL 100 truck. The Vulture is monitored on the ground via the Navigator and Observer screens in a Ground Control Station. A laser system is used for automated approach, an arrestor system for its capture and an inflatable airbag for its recovery.
ESR220 Thutlwa[66]		South Africa	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. This fully autonomous armoured system (with self-contained power plant)is transported by a Spanish-designed Kynos Aljaba 8×8 (“Skimmel” in SANDF service) truck. It is capable of tracking aircraft in a 120 km radius and can be fully operational within 10 minutes of arrival at the deployment site. The system also provides for a combined air picture derived from primary radar(through utilisation of Link-ZA, the SANDF's data link system), as well as a command and control system for effective air defence control.
Thales Squire radar system[67]		France	Battlefield surveillance radar	14	Acquired in 2012 under Project Cytoon. The radars are designed to plot a pedestrian at 10 km, a vehicle at 21 km, a tank at 28 km, a helicopter at 21 km, a boat at 12 km and a ship at 48 km. The radar system uses a frequency modulated continuous wave Doppler radar and is designed to be virtually undetectable by enemy electronic warfare equipment. All systems are in service with the SA Army Tactical Intelligence Corps.
Thales Sophie man-portable system[67]		France	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. All systems are in service with the SA Army Tactical Intelligence Corps.
LOCATS[37]	No image available	South Africa	Low cost aerial target systems	Unknown	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.

Historical equipment

Model	Image	Origin	Type	Quantity	Notes
Vehicles
Buffel[68]		South Africa	Infantry mobility vehicle, MRAP	2,400	2,985 Buffels were built, after the South African Border War around 2,400 remained in service and were soon replaced by the new Mamba mine-protected armoured personnel carriers and the excess Buffels were put on sale.
Eland[69]		South Africa	Armoured reconnaissance vehicle	1,268	Armoured car based on the Panhard AML. 1,600 were built, after the South African Border War 1,268 Eland-60s and Eland-90s remained in service and were soon replaced by the Rooikat tank destroyers and Ratel infantry fighting vehicles and excess Elands were put on sale.

See also

• List of equipment of the South African National Defence Force
• South African Air Force
• South African Navy
• South African Special Forces
• List of South African military bases

References

This page was last edited on 10 March 2024, at 12:44