South African National Defence Force

For South Africa's apartheid-era military, see South African Defence Force.

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is the military of South Africa.

South African National Defence Force
Current form	1994 - present
Parts	South African Army South African Navy South African Air Force South African Military Health Service
Headquarters	Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
Leadership
Commander-in-Chief	Jacob Zuma
Minister of Defence and Military Veterans	Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula
Chief of the South African National Defence Force	General Solly Shoke
Serving soldiers
Military age	18-49
Available to be a soldier	10 354 769 males, age 18-49 (2005), 10 626 550 females, age 18-49 (2005)
Fit to be a soldier	4 927 757 males, age 18-49 (2005), 4 609 071 females, age 18-49 (2005)
Reaching military age annually	512 407 males (2005), 506 078 females (2005)
Active employees/soldiers	67,373
Reserve personnel	15,107
Expenditures
Budget	$US 4.572 billion
Percent of GDP	1.1% (2010-2011)
Industry
Suppliers from inland	Denel, Reutech Radar Systems, Thales, Paramount Group
Suppliers from foreign countries	BAE Systems, Saab AB, ThyssenKrupp, AgustaWestland

The SANDF is made up of four branches: the South African Army, the South African Navy, the South African Air Force, and the South African Military Health Service (formerly the South African Medical Service).

The Commander-in-Chief of the military is the President of South Africa, currently Cyril Ramaphosa. The Ministry of Defence and Military Veterans, currently headed by Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, is in charge of political leadership. Military command is in the hands of the General Staff, headed by the Chief of the South African National Defence Force, who is General Solly Shoke.

Annual game counting by SANDF

The history of the SANDF can be traced back to 1912, with the establishment of the Union Defence Force (UDF). In 1957, the Union Defence Force was renamed to the South African Defence Force (SADF). The SADF fought a bloody guerrilla war against the South West African People's Organisation (SWAPO) and the African National Congress in South West Africa (now Namibia). SADF forces were also involved in the Angolan Civil War. In 1994, the South African Defence Force was combined with the ANC's Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), the PAC's Azanian People's Liberation Army (APLA), several Bantustan defence forces, and the self protection units of the Inkatha Freedom Party to form the South African National Defence Force.

Since 1994, South Africa has been trying to develop its military into a professional, well trained and mobile military. The SANDF currently plays a role in peacekeeping in the African continent, in countries such as the DRC and Burundi.

South African National Defence Force Media

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  A SANDF helicopter being refuelled during the annual game census

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  SANDF Organisation Chart 2019

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  The Badger IFV will provide the South African Army with unrivalled firepower, mobility and maximum armoured protection

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  Warrior-class multi-mission inshore patrol vessel

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  The Rooivalk attack helicopter

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  The Umkhonto Missile System

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  A Mbombe 6x6, mine-protected IFV by Paramount, fitted with Ingwe missiles, in exhibition hall at Waterkloof AFB