List of equipment of the South African Army

Note: This section covers only the standard small arms operated by the South African Army. Weapons used exclusively by the South African Special Forces are listed separately, as that branch maintains its own inventory distinct from the conventional army. For more weapons used by the Special Forces, see: South African Special Forces equipment. Pistols Infantry rifles Long range rifles Submachine guns Machine guns Shotguns Grenade launchers Anti-armour weapons Explosives == Personal equipment ==

Helmets Camouflage CBRN protection equipment While the South African Army maintains a limited range of CBRN protection equipment as part of its operational inventory, the primary responsibility for handling, research, and acquisition of chemical, biological, and radiological (CBR) protection systems lies with the South African Military Health Service (SAMHS). The SAMHS has invested heavily in detection systems, protective clothing, research, and capital equipment to safeguard SANDF personnel against CBR threats. Key acquisitions include HazMatID 360 detector systems, Smiths Detection Responder RCI RAMAN chemical identifiers, Agilent GC-MSD systems, TALON CBRN robots, and Med-Eng bomb suits. Much of the associated research has been conducted at Protechnik Laboratories, a subsidiary of Armscor, covering detection, decontamination, verification, biomedical studies, hydration technologies, and other protective measures. These efforts complement the Army's equipment by ensuring comprehensive CBRN readiness and support across all branches of the SANDF. Electronic equipment The SANDF has invested in electronic and targeting equipment to improve situational awareness and combat effectiveness. This includes night vision devices, weapon-mounted optical sights, lasers, and other advanced targeting systems. Specific details on optical sights used by the South African Army is limited. Sniper rifles and grenade launchers are generally issued with their own optics as standard. For other weapons, such as standard rifles or pistols, details are less clear; however, the newer upgraded Vektor R4/R5 assault rifles are issued with Trijicon ACOG TA11 or similar optical sights and optional foregrips or grenade launchers. In most cases, it is likely that soldiers must procure their own additional optical sights and attachments for standard-issue small arms. ==Combat vehicles==

Main battle tanks The South African Army's main battle tank (MBT) capability is centered around the Olifant ("Elephant") series, a heavily upgraded and modernized derivative of the British Centurion tank adapted for southern Africa's operational environment. The Olifant Mk1A and Mk1B variants formed the backbone of the armoured corps for decades, with the later Mk2 offering improved armour, engine performance, and modernized fire control systems. Earlier projects, such as the Tank Technology Demonstrator (TTD), aimed to develop a next-generation South African MBT but were ultimately cancelled due to budget constraints. Armoured reconnaissance The South African Army's armoured reconnaissance capability centers on the Rooikat ("Caracal or Red Cat"), an eight-wheeled, high-speed armoured fighting vehicle designed for long-range reconnaissance, rapid maneuver warfare, and precision firepower. Often designated as both a reconnaissance vehicle and a tank destroyer due to its 76mm/105mm high-velocity gun, the Rooikat replaced the aging Eland 90 armoured cars—of which up to 1,000 still remain in storage. With advanced fire control systems, excellent mobility across southern Africa's diverse terrain, and the ability to perform screening and flanking operations, the Rooikat remains a key asset in the South African Army's armoured warfare doctrine. Infantry fighting vehicles The South African Army's infantry fighting vehicle (IFV/Mechanized Combat Vehicle, MCV) capability centers on the Ratel IFV ("Honey Badger"), and its successor, the Badger IFV. Unlike traditional armoured personnel carriers (APCs), IFVs are a heavily armed and better-protected evolution of the APC, combining troop transport with significant combat capability, typically featuring autocannons and optional anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs). Produced in multiple variants, the Ratel served as the backbone of the army's mechanized infantry forces for decades, undergoing continuous upgrades including the Mk2 (1979), Mk3 (1988), and a large fleet-wide modernization programme in 2001 that extended its service life well into the 21st century. The new-generation Badger IFV introduces modular armour, advanced weapon systems, and improved protection, though its production has faced funding delays. Protected mobility vehicles The South African Army's protected mobility capability is centred on mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicles such as the Casspir and Mamba, with South Africa having pioneered—and effectively invented—this class of vehicle during the Border War. The Army integrated MRAPs fully into its doctrine, replacing traditional armoured personnel carriers (APCs) and transport trucks altogether. By 1986, all motorized infantry units were operating in MRAPs, gaining far greater protection against landmines, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and enemy fire. Classified as both APCs and MRAPs—also referred to as mine-protected carriers or infantry mobility vehicles—they serve as protected troop transports with secondary combat capability, typically armed with heavy machine guns and, in some variants, anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) or grenade machine guns. This shift from unarmoured to protected mobility dramatically improved troop survivability and overall battlefield effectiveness. In the near future, the South African Army plans to acquire up to 3,000 next-generation MRAPs and APCs to replace the Casspir and Mamba fleets, featuring upgraded hulls, modular armour, digital communications, and remote-controlled weapon stations. ==Artillery ==

Rocket artillery The South African Army's rocket artillery capability is centred on the Bateleur and Valkiri Multiple Rocket Launcher (MRL) series, developed locally during the Border War to provide rapid, high-volume fire support. Mounted on mobile platforms for shoot-and-scoot tactics, these systems enable saturation bombardment over wide areas, delivering both conventional and specialised munitions. Self-propelled artillery Self-propelled artillery combines the firepower of conventional guns with the mobility and protection of an armoured platform. In South African service, the G6 Rhino 155mm self-propelled howitzer represents one of the most advanced artillery systems of its class worldwide. The G6 offers long-range precision fire, high mobility, and armoured crew protection, allowing artillery units to rapidly reposition and support mechanized forces in high-threat environments. In addition to the G6, the T5-52 155mm self-propelled howitzer has entered limited service since 2018. Based on a wheeled truck platform rather than a fully armoured chassis, the T5-52 is designed to provide long-range precision fire with lower operating costs and improved strategic mobility. Towed artillery Towed artillery remains a crucial component of the South African Army's indirect fire capability, providing versatile, long-range support for mechanized and infantry units. The primary system in service is the G5 Leopard 155mm towed howitzer, known for its range, accuracy, and reliability. Introduced in the early 1980s, the G5 has undergone several upgrades, including the G5-52 standard, which improves firing range, automation, and crew protection. Alongside this, the G7 LEO 105mm howitzer is under development by Denel Land Systems. Unlike the heavier G5, the G7 is intended to be a lightweight, highly mobile artillery piece suitable for airborne deployment and rapid reaction forces A significant portion of the towed artillery inventory is also maintained in reserve. This includes up to 300 G5 howitzers kept in army reserves because of high operating costs, and around 200 older G4, G3, G2, and G1 howitzers held in long-term storage. Despite being in reserve, some of these older systems remain employed by the School of Artillery to train crews and maintain operational readiness across multiple regiments. Mortars Mortars form the backbone of close-support artillery for South African infantry units, offering lightweight, portable, indirect-fire capability. The South African Army fields a variety of 60mm, 81mm, and 120mm mortar systems, balancing portability with firepower to deliver rapid, high-angle fire against enemy positions. Modern variants incorporate improved sighting systems, baseplate stabilisation, and extended-range munitions, ensuring infantry units retain organic fire-support assets during both conventional warfare and peacekeeping operations. ==Air defence and radars==

Surface-to-air missile systems Missile systems complement gun-based defences. The Starstreak provides short-range air defence (SHORAD), with portable launchers and missiles. The Umkhonto ground-based missile system is a medium-range system currently in limited service, with ongoing trials assessing its integration and operational readiness. These missile systems enhance the army's ability to engage aircraft, helicopters, and UAVs beyond the reach of gun-based platforms. Anti-aircraft guns The primary gun-based system is the Oerlikon GDF 35mm twin-barrel anti-aircraft gun, with approximately 48 units upgraded to the Skyshield standard. These modernized systems feature automated fire control, improved radar integration, and enhanced targeting software, providing point-defence capabilities against fast-moving aerial threats. Systems such as the ZU-23-2 Zumlac twin 23mm autocannon, mounted on Bosvark self-propelled platforms, provide cost-effective anti-aircraft and limited ground-support firepower. While missile systems increasingly dominate air defence, these guns offer a secondary layer against low-flying threats and remain valuable in asymmetric and peacekeeping environments. Radars and targeting systems The South African Army relies on a network of radars and targeting systems to detect, track, and engage aerial threats efficiently. These systems integrate with both gun-based and missile-based air defence platforms, providing situational awareness and fire control for frontline units. Key systems include the Swiss Super Fledermaus and Italian LPD-20, which serves as the primary fire-control radars for anti-aircraft guns, the ESR-220 surveillance and early warning radar, and the Thales Squire and Sophie battlefield portable radars, which provide rapid target acquisition and precision tracking for multiple weapon systems. The LOCATS (Locatable Targets System) is also employed for counter-battery and artillery targeting, enabling quick detection of incoming projectiles and coordination with air-defence platforms. Together, these systems allow the Army to monitor the airspace, coordinate fire against multiple threats simultaneously, and optimise the use of both missile and gun-based air defence assets. == Logistics and utility vehicles ==

Military trucks The South African Army maintains a diverse fleet of military trucks, primarily built for logistics, troop transport, recovery, and engineering roles. The backbone of this fleet includes the Samil 20/50/100 series, MAN tactical trucks in multiple variants, the locally produced Giraffe truck (based on the Italian Iveco Trakker) and SHE Cavallo (a Spanish truck produced under license in South Africa), as well as lighter platforms such as the Toyota Dyna and UD 70 series, which are primarily employed for general transport and support duties. Under Project Vistula, the army plans to progressively replace and modernize the Samil fleet with next-generation armoured military trucks featuring improved mobility, modularity, and digital integration. In 2023, more than 10,000 military trucks were refurbished and reactivated from storage, primarily Samils and other support vehicles to reinforce operational readiness amid ongoing budgetary constraints. Utility and support vehicles The South African Army uses a wide range of utility and logistical support vehicles to complement its tactical and combat fleets. These include light utility vehicles, 4x4 cars, minibuses, and air-deployable vehicles used for command, liaison, troop transport, and logistical support. Platforms such as the Toyota Hilux, Land Cruiser, Ford Ranger, and Unimog variants are commonly employed for both off-road mobility and general transport duties. Larger support vehicles include buses for personnel movement, as well as specialised air-deployable vehicles that can be transported by C-130 Hercules or Oryx helicopters for rapid deployment operations. Many of these vehicles are refurbished or locally modified to withstand harsh terrain and operational demands, ensuring flexibility across conventional, peacekeeping, and disaster relief missions. ==Engineering equipment==

Combat engineering Construction engineering The South African Army's Engineer Formation operates a wide range of militarised construction, bridging, earthmoving, and geospatial systems to support combat operations, mobility, and infrastructure development. • Pantile (MOEMS) Earthmoving Fleet: As part of a twenty-year modernization project, the SANDF received militarised earthmoving platforms—including tractor-loader backhoes (TLBs), skid-steer excavators, tracked and wheeled bulldozers, graders, trailers, wheeled loaders, and bulldozer simulators—between 2015 and 2017 under the Militarised Operational Earthmoving System (MOEMS) programme. This equipment is assigned to the Engineer Support Regiment for both national and continental tasks. • Tracked and Wheeled Dozers, Graders, Dump Trucks, Loaders: The engineering corps operates Japan-origin wheeled dozers (Komatsu), US-made full tracked bulldozers (Caterpillar, Michigan), SAMAG and Nissan Diesel dump trucks, road graders (such as US-made Cat Wright and Galion), and front-end loaders—all maintained for construction, roadworks, and obstacle generation tasks. • Vlakvark Tractor-Loader Backhoe ("Battle Tractor"): A militarised tractor-loader backhoe designed for combat engineering roles, the Vlakvark is employed for trenching, excavation, construction, and fortification work. It is capable of operating in hostile environments and provides versatile battlefield engineering support. • Heavy-Duty Transport and Logistics The Engineer Formation makes use of heavy-duty haulers and lowbeds (primarily MAN and Mercedes-Benz), utility dump trucks, and articulated or rigid haulage vehicles for transporting construction and combat engineering equipment. • Bridging Systems – Modular Bailey Bridges: The South African Army's Engineer Formation maintains modular Bailey bridging systems, which can be rapidly deployed to restore mobility in combat zones or disaster-relief environments. These modular steel bridges are capable of supporting both wheeled and tracked vehicles. • Mobile Operational Geographic System (MOGS) The MOGS provides mobile geographic intelligence, mapping, and terrain-analysis capabilities essential for operational planning and combat support. • Combat Support Engineering Equipment: Additional systems include the Plofadder rocket-propelled minefield-clearing system (capable of clearing 160 m × 8 m lanes using explosive line charges), MMD Mark 3 metal detectors, Waterbuffel mobile water purification and pumping systems, and various trailers and conveyors for engineering support. == Unmanned ground vehicles (UGV's) ==

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has shown ongoing interest in deploying unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) to support reconnaissance, border security, logistics, and demining operations. A number of indigenous and collaborative systems have been developed or offered for evaluation, including the locally designed DCD Testudo, a multi-role combat UGV, and the B-Cat Pathfinder, designed for amphibious and combat support roles, In addition, the Rheinmetall Mission Master, a modular, rocket-launcher combat UGV, has been showcased in South Africa, with members of the South African Special Forces observed alongside it during trials. Armoured military robot ==Aircraft==

The South African Army operates only unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for reconnaissance and surveillance. Helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, including jets, are operated exclusively by the South African Air Force (SAAF). The Army's airborne and paratrooper units make use of SAAF assets. Airborne infantry are deployed by SAAF helicopters, while paratroopers rely on C-130 Hercules aircraft for airlift. The SAAF operates many aircraft. Unmanned aerial vehicles The South African Army operates and has access to several unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) platforms for reconnaissance, surveillance, and support missions. == See also ==