The first draft document, forming the basis of the public consultation process, was released on 12 April 2012.
Immediate capability enhancements Immediate capability enhancements that are required to ensure that the SANDF can adequately perform its missions were identified in the consultative draft of the defence review.
Special forces The
South African Special Forces require additional weapons and systems, including a small number of dedicated aircraft for insertion/extraction missions. Additional units should be created for specialised missions. The following requirements were identified to enable the SANDF to fulfill South Africa's regional security responsibilities: • Equipment and weapons for parachute and
air-landed battalion groups. • A rejuvenation and expansion of medium airlift capability. • Heavy/long range aircraft that when combined with medium airlift aircraft, will allow the Defence Force to deploy a parachute battalion group or an air-landed battalion group within 48 hours from South Africa to anywhere within the
Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, or from a forward base within the continental SADC region to anywhere in an adjoining country. • The establishment of
in-flight refuelling capabilities to enable effective fighter support for crisis response deployments and to extend the reach of the Special Forces.
Urgent capability enhancements , in service since 1977. has still not received its
Mokopa anti-tank guided missiles due to a lack of funding. , in service since 1987 Various areas were identified by the review in which the SANDF lacked adequate capability to perform near/medium term missions. Obsolete equipment that needed to be replaced in order for the SANDF to retain its capabilities were identified.
Infantry Combat Vehicles Infantry combat vehicles are suited to peacekeeping missions. The 30-year-old
Ratel IFV was identified as being obsolete, making maintenance difficult. It was suggested that they be replaced urgently.
Armoured Personnel Carriers The
Casspir and
Mamba APC vehicles were identified as obsolete and in urgent need of replacement. The
Mfezi Ambulance is also in need of replacement. A need for
Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected patrol vehicles has arisen.
Logistic Vehicles The currently used
SAMIL Trucks were identified as obsolete and in need of replacement.
Light Artillery Recent conflicts in Africa have proven that light artillery that can be deployed quickly if needed. A
105mm long-range gun and ammunition family has been under development by
Denel Land Systems since 2012.
Aerial Weapons Weapons for the
JAS-39 Gripen,
BAe Hawk and
Denel Rooivalk are needed in order for them to be operated effectively.
Combat Support Ships It was identified that future operations of the
South African Navy might be extended to the Mozambique Channel. The
SAS Drakensberg (A301) was identified for replacement.
Force support requirements Requirements for essential supporting equipment were also included in the consultative review. It was identified that there was a lot of obsolete or unsuitable equipment. This included water purification, field kitchen, field accommodation equipment, obsolete field workshop equipment and old field hospital equipment. The need for the re-establishment of a tactical airfield unit capability for the Air Force, in order to operate aircraft away from bases was also identified. The acquisition of munitions and explosives to allow rebuilding of ammunition stocks and effective live-fire and explosives training was also highlighted. == Public consultation process ==