South African Defense Force

South Africa was sanctioned by the world for its racial polices since the 1970s.  The South African Armed Forces have grown up in an environment where they have had to develop all their own equipment.  They have faced communist and terrorist threats all along their borders.  The army has developed into a specialized bush war army that has enjoyed success in Nambia and Angola.  The status of its ability and training is more uncertain since the end of apartheid.

South African Defense Force Infantry Brigade Headquarters

HQ                                           1 HQ

South African Defense Force Mechanized Brigade Headquarters

HQ                                           1 HQ

South African Defense Force Tank Regiment

HQ                                           1 HQ

3 Armored Squadrons each     3 Olifant

South African Defense Force Special Service Battalion

HQ

South African Defense Force Armored Recce Regiment

HQ                                           1 HQ

3 Armored Squadrons each     3 Ratel 90 or Eland 90

South African Defense Force 61^st Mechanized Battalion Group

HQ                                           1 HQ

2 Mech Rifle Companies each             3 Rifle, 3 Ratel 20

Armored Car Squadron           3 Ratel 90

Tank Squadron                        3 Olifant

Support Company                                1 LR/Milan, 1 LR/106, 1 Ratel/81, 1 Ratel/90, 2 Ystervark/20AA

Artillery Battery                                   1 FAO, 2 155H, 2 Truck

Note                                                                             Note in 57 G applies.

South African Defense Force Mechanized Infantry Battalion

HQ                                           1 HQ

3 Mech Rifle Companies each 3 Rifle, 3 Ratel 20

Support Company                                1 Ratel/ZT3, 2 Ratel/81, 1 Ratel/90, 3 Ystervark/20AA

Anti Tank Company                 3 Ratel/ZT3, 3 Ratel/90

Note                                                                             Prior to 1987 use 2 81M, 2 Truck in place of Ratel/81 and 3 Jeep/Entac in place of Ratel/ZT3.

South African Defense Force Motorized Infantry Battalion

HQ                                           1 HQ

3 Mot Rifle Companies each    3 Rifle, 3 Casspir or Buffel

Support Company                                1 LR/Milan, 1 LR/106, 1 Ratel/81, 1 Ratel/90

Note                                                                             Prior to 1987 use 2 81M, 2 Truck in place of Ratel/81 and 3 Jeep/Entac in place of Ratel/ZT3.

South African Defense Force Light Infantry Battalion

HQ                                           1 HQ

4 Rifle Companies each           3 Rifle

Support Company                                1 LR/Milan, 1 LR/106, 1 Ratel/81, 1 Ratel/90

Note                                                                             Prior to 1987 use 2 81M, 2 Truck in place of Ratel/81 and 3 Jeep/Entac in place of Ratel/ZT3.

South African Defense Force Parachute Infantry Battalion

HQ                                           1 HQ

4 Rifle Companies each           3 Rifle

Support Company                                1 LR/Milan, 1 LR/106, 1 Ratel/81, 1 Ratel/90

AT Company                                                    3 Jeep/Entac

Mortar Battery                                                  2 120M, 2 Truck

Note                                                                             Prior to 1987 use 2 81M, 2 Truck in place of Ratel/81 and 3 Jeep/Entac in place of Ratel/ZT3.

South African Defense Force 32^nd Light Infantry Battalion (“Externals”)

HQ                                           1 HQ

AT Platoon                               1 Ratel/ZT3, 1 Ratel/90

5 Mot Rifle Companies each    3 Rifle, 3 Casspir or Buffel

Support Company                                1 LR/Milan, 1 LR/106, 1 Ratel/81, 1 Ratel/90, 2 Ystervark/20AA

Note                                                                             Prior to 1987 use 2 81M, 2 Truck in place of Ratel/81 and 3 Jeep/Entac in place of Ratel/ZT3.

South African Defense Force 51^st to 55^th Modular Infantry Battalion Group

HQ                                           1 HQ

2 Mot Rifle Companies each    3 Rifle, 3 Casspir, 1 Eland 60

Armored Car Squadron           3 Ratel 90, 1 Eland 90

Support Company                                1 LR/Milan, 1 LR/106, 1 Ratel/81, 1 Ratel/90, 2 Ystervark/20AA, 2 Horse, 2 M/C, 4 Recon

Note                                                                             Prior to 1987 use 2 81M, 2 Truck in place of Ratel/81 and 3 Jeep/Entac in place of Ratel/ZT3.

101^st Battalion SWATF (South West African Territorial Force)

HQ                                           1 HQ

4 Reaction Force Coys each    3 Rifle, 3 Casspir or Buffel

Support Company                                1 LR/Milan, 1 LR/106, 1 Ratel/81, 1 Ratel/90

Note                                                                             Prior to 1987 use 2 81M, 2 Truck in place of Ratel/81 and 3 Jeep/Entac in place of Ratel/ZT3.

SWATF (South West African Territorial Force) Infantry Battalion

HQ                                           1 HQ

4 Rifle Companies each           3 Rifle

Support Company                                1 LR/Milan, 1 LR/106, 1 Ratel/81, 1 Ratel/90

Note                                                                             Prior to 1987 use 2 81M, 2 Truck in place of Ratel/81 and 3 Jeep/Entac in place of Ratel/ZT3.

South African Defense Force Light Artillery Regiment

3 Batteries each                       1 FAO, 2 Tubes, 2 Truck

Note                                         Tubes can be:    105H

120M

South African Defense Force (Light, Medium or Mechanized depending on tubes issued) Artillery Regiment

4 Batteries each                       1 FAO, 2 Tubes, 2 Truck

Note                                         Tubes can be:    155H (Medium)

5.5” (Medium)

Sexton (Mechanized)

G6 (Mechanized)

127 Rct

120M (Light)

G6 replaced Sexton and T6 replaced 5.5” in the mid 1980s.  There are also composite regiments formed for specific missions.  Composite unit use a mixture of equipment.

South African Defense Force Helicopter Company

3 Puma

South African Defense Force Combat Helicopter Company

3 Alouette III/20

Large Units:

Infantry Brigade – 20^th is the active force unit; this brigade is an operational unit dealing with counter terrorist operations.  Units are assigned as mission dictates.

Mechanized Brigade – two in existence; 43^rd is the HQ for all active units not assigned to the infantry or parachute brigade.  46^th is the HQ for all reserve units.  Both can be assigned units as a mission dictates.

Parachute Brigade – one in existence; it is the HQ for all Parachute and Special Forces units.