defenceWeb

14/08/2025

All smooth sailing for Exercise Red Lion in the Western Cape, home to the SA Navy’s largest presence. Read more:

All is proceeding to plan with the Western Cape leg of the SA Navy (SAN) force preparation exercise Red Lion. The Western Cape has by far the major SA Navy representation nationally with Simon’s Town the unofficial “capital’ of the maritime service, housing a naval base, naval dockyard as well...

14/08/2025

US State Department approves a potential $346m munitions sale to Nigeria — part of a strategic push to boost precision strike capabilities. More here:

Nigeria is looking to buy $346 million worth of munitions from the United States, including guided bombs and rockets, with the State Department approving the possible sale. The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on 13 August said it had notified Congress of the potential sale on Wednesday...

14/08/2025

The Indian Navy has completed a landmark rescue seat certification on SAS Manthatisi, enabling full implementation of its submarine rescue pact with SA. Details:

South Africa and India can now fully implement the Submarine Rescue and Cooperation Implementation Agreement signed last year between the two navies. This follows the Indian Navy successfully undertaking Rescue Seat Certification of the South African Navy Submarine SAS Manthatisi, a first for any fr...

14/08/2025

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14/08/2025

When does military diplomacy cross into foreign policy? DIRCO weighs in after SANDF Chief Gen Rudzani Maphwanya’s remarks in Iran. Read more:

The South African government department tasked with diplomacy and foreign policy points out, in the wake of SA National Defence Force (SANDF) Chief, General Rudzani Maphwanya, apparently encroaching on its domain while in Iran, that foreign policy “is a function of The Presidency, supported by DIR...

13/08/2025

Armscor’s inaugural supplier day for military veterans is set to become an annual fixture. See how the event aims to strengthen veteran business participation.

Armscor’s dip into military veteran welfare this week saw the defence and security acquisition and project management company host its inaugural supplier information day for veteran soldiers. The CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) Convention Centre in eastern Pretoria was the ve...

13/08/2025

SANDF Chief Gen Rudzani Maphwanya is in Iran this week, meeting top military leaders and touring key training facilities to boost defence ties between the two nations. Read the full story here.

General Rudzani Maphwanya, Chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), is in Iran this week to advance military and strategic cooperation between the two nations. During his visit to Tehran, Maphwanya toured Iranian military training facilities, including the Army Command and Staff Un...

13/08/2025

Sponsored | The Tigr-M, from Rosoboronexport, is a versatile 4x4 armoured vehicle built to carry troops and cargo, tow trailers, and mount weapons — all with advanced bullet and mine protection. It delivers mobility, safety, and reliability in one powerful platform. https://roe.ru/en/

13/08/2025

Drone warfare is reshaping modern conflict, warns Stellenbosch University’s Prof Lindy Heinecken, who says their accessibility has made them a defining weapon in wars like Ukraine. Read more in our full report.

Drone warfare has profoundly changed the way in which wars are waged, exacerbated by the ease with which they can be obtained and used, according to Professor Lindy Heinecken, vice dean of Research at Stellenbosch University’s Faculty of Arts and Social Science. Delivering the keynote talk on the ...

13/08/2025

As part of planning for next year’s Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) exhibition, a senior representative of the lead partner was at this year’s Paris Air Show on a fact-finding mission.

As part of planning for next year’s Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) exhibition, a senior representative of the lead partner was at this year’s Paris Air Show on a fact-finding mission. Commercial Aviation Association of Southern Africa (CAASA) Chief Executive Kevin Storie has it the French ev...

11/08/2025

Burkina Faso has received new Chinese-made armoured vehicles, rocket launchers, and artillery to bolster its fight against Islamist militants. From jungle-camouflaged VN22Bs to desert-tan mortars, the latest delivery marks another major boost to its military arsenal. Read the full story for all the details.

Burkina Faso has taken delivery of another batch of military vehicles and artillery systems from China as it continues to expand its armed forces in the face of relentless attacks by Islamist militants. Earlier this month, videos surfaced on social media showing armoured vehicles arriving at a port....

11/08/2025

The SANDF says all soldiers from the now-ended SAMIDRC mission have received their allowances, dismissing claims of non-payment. Payments were reportedly made on 23 July — but the official statement leaves out the date. Read more on the dispute and what sparked it.

South African soldiers and other military personnel detached to the now terminated Southern African Development Community Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC) have been paid their allowances, according to a SA National Defence Force (SANDF) statement. The 8 August statement, issued....