Gallery: South African Navy Festival 17-19 April 2026 defenceweb.co.za/galleries/ga...

Still no completion date for new SAN hydrographic survey vessel - DefenceWeb Project Hotel, the long-awaited upgrade of specialist SA Navy (SAN) hydrographic equipment and services, has just one deliverable outstanding – its major

Project Hotel, the long-awaited upgrade of specialist SA Navy (SAN) hydrographic equipment and services, has just one deliverable outstanding – its major component – a new hydrographic survey vessel (HSV).
defenceweb.co.za/sea/sea-sea/...

Strength in numbers - can regional cooperation secure Africa's vulnerable shores? - DefenceWeb Africa has a vast and resource-rich coastline, but its 37 coastal nations often struggle to find the resources to patrol and protect it.

Africa has a vast and resource-rich coastline, but its 37 coastal nations often struggle to find the resources to patrol and protect it.
defenceweb.co.za/sea/sea-sea/...

African Military Profile: Ghana - DefenceWeb A mainstay of West African security, the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) combine operational experience with accelerating modernisation efforts.

A mainstay of West African security, the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) combine operational experience with accelerating modernisation efforts.
defenceweb.co.za/land/land-la...

Simon’s Town’s historic rifled muzzle loader marks a hundred ceremonial shots - DefenceWeb The just passed SA Navy (SAN) festival in Simon’s Town hosted the 100th firing since 2011 of the nine inch rifled muzzle loader (RML) cannon from its

The just passed SA Navy (SAN) festival in Simon’s Town hosted the 100th firing since 2011 of the nine inch rifled muzzle loader (RML) cannon from its permanent site on the Middle North battery. defenceweb.co.za/military-his...

Could short-term deals weaken Russia’s enduring influence in Africa? - DefenceWeb As the war in Ukraine continues, Moscow is prioritising bilateral engagements with African nations to counter the political and economic fallout of Western

As the war in Ukraine continues, Moscow is prioritising bilateral engagements with African nations to counter the political and economic fallout of Western attempts to isolate Russia.
defenceweb.co.za/joint/diplom...

Will the AES Unified Force succeed where the G5 Sahel failed? - DefenceWeb The Alliance of Sahel States’ new 6 000-strong Unified Force (AES Unified Force) seeks to consolidate Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger’s military capabilities in

The Alliance of Sahel States’ new 6 000-strong Unified Force (AES Unified Force) seeks to consolidate Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger’s military capabilities in response to jihadist violence and enhance cross-border operational coordination.
defenceweb.co.za/security/nat...

Lessons from Ukraine, the Persian Gulf, and other conflicts: Implications for Africa’s armed forces - DefenceWeb The ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East, and the Sahel are redefining how contemporary warfare is understood and conducted. From the widespread

Conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East, and the Sahel are redefining how contemporary warfare is understood and conducted. These conflicts are demonstrating that the character of warfare is evolving faster than many militaries have been able to adapt.
defenceweb.co.za/land/land-la...

SA strengthens intelligence co-ordination - DefenceWeb South Africa’s security apparatus now includes a National Centre for Intelligence Co-ordination (NCIC) where the country’s ability to anticipate, detect and

South Africa’s security apparatus now includes a National Centre for Intelligence Co-ordination (NCIC) where the country’s ability to anticipate, detect and neutralise evolving threats will be enhanced. defenceweb.co.za/security/nat...

The widening scope of Africa’s militant Islamist threat - DefenceWeb Increasingly capable and organized militant Islamist groups in the Sahel, Somalia, and the Lake Chad Basin continue to expand their reach and lethality.

Increasingly capable and organized militant Islamist groups in the Sahel, Somalia, and the Lake Chad Basin continue to expand their reach and lethality. defenceweb.co.za/land/land-la...

Nigeria grapples with terrorist intelligence-gathering - DefenceWeb One of the challenges in Nigeria’s war on terrorism has been the blurry lines between combatants and civilians. Militant groups use human assets and combine

One of the challenges in Nigeria’s war on terrorism has been the blurry lines between combatants and civilians. Militant groups use human assets and combine local knowledge with a growing use of surveillance technology. defenceweb.co.za/land/land-la...

China’s military support for Somalia is on the rise – what Taiwan and Somaliland have to do with it - DefenceWeb China recently pledged to expand military support to Somalia in its fight against al-Shabaab militants. Beijing has promised equipment, training and closer

China recently pledged to expand military support to Somalia in its fight against al-Shabaab militants. Beijing has promised equipment, training and closer security cooperation, marking a shift from its traditionally cautious and small presence there.
defenceweb.co.za/african-news...

Vandalism and theft leave historic SAAF base dependent on generator power - DefenceWeb The oldest base in the SA Air Force (SAAF), now one of three components in the Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing (AF MDW), is dependent on generators for its

The oldest base in the SA Air Force (SAAF), now one of three components in the Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing (AF MDW), is dependent on generators for its power needs. defenceweb.co.za/aerospace/ae...

Maphwanya warns SANDF capabilities approaching “point of culmination” - DefenceWeb The Chief of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF), General Rudzani Maphwanya, told this month’s Chief’s Work Session it was taking place at a time of

The SANDF’s ability to execute its mandate is under severe strain. Budgetary constraints over an extended period have significantly impacted operational readiness, force design and long term sustainability, warns SANDF Chief Rudzani Maphwanya.
defenceweb.co.za/sa-defence-s...

Op Prosper deployment rolls out but public representative claims military failure - DefenceWeb The latest round of Operation Prosper is up and running across five of South Africa’s nine provinces with a Joint Operations Division staff officer

The latest round of Op Prosper is running across 5 provinces with a Joint Ops staff officer emphasising soldiers are not replacing police at the same time as a Western Cape councillor maintains mass shootings show the deployment of the SANDF is failing.
defenceweb.co.za/news/op-pros...

Regional drug routes shift as domestic impact grows, Mozambican authorities say - DefenceWeb Mozambique is being pulled deeper into evolving regional drug trafficking routes, as new data reveals that the country is no longer just a transit corridor

Mozambique is being pulled deeper into evolving regional drug trafficking routes, as new data reveals that the country is no longer just a transit corridor but an increasingly affected domestic market.
defenceweb.co.za/border-secur...

BMA intercepts explosives valued at R1 million at Beitbridge - DefenceWeb During a routine operation at the Beitbridge Port of Entry, Bulk Mining Explosives (BME), cap fuse carmex and detonator fuses with an estimated combined value

At the Beitbridge Port of Entry, mning explosives, cap fuses and detonator fuses with an estimated value of R1 million were intercepted while smugglers were trying to bring them into South Africa, likely for illegal miners and ATM bombers.
defenceweb.co.za/border-secur...

The manifest value of conducting a strategic defence review: A South African perspective - DefenceWeb States, being faced with a persistently troubled peace and an increasingly uncertain future, are required to regularly analyse national security dynamics and

The manifest value of conducting a strategic defence review: A South African perspective
defenceweb.co.za/sa-defence-s...

Sky Robots demonstrates integrated aerial security system for mining and high-value sectors - DefenceWeb Sky Robots, a South African aerial security company specialising in the design, production, and operation of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), is positioning

Sky Robots, an aerial security company specialising in the design, production, and operation of UAVs, is positioning itself as a leading provider of not just high quality, robust UAVs, but as a developer and operator of integrated aerial security systems.
defenceweb.co.za/aerospace/ae...

Aselsan South Africa unites local firms for hi-tech border security overhaul - DefenceWeb Amidst the many challenges facing South Africa’s border security, ranging from irregular migration to transnational crime, the use of sophisticated

Amidst the challenges facing SA’s border security, the use of technology has never been more critical. In this light, Aselsan SA has identified an opportunity to help foster collaboration amongst local industry partners to achieve border security. defenceweb.co.za/industry/ind...

Ghost fleets and false flags: Hormuz crisis exposes regulatory gaps in Southern Africa - DefenceWeb As tensions in the Strait of Hormuz disrupt global shipping, a shadow “ghost fleet” exploiting landlocked African flags is emerging as a strategic and legal

As tensions in the Strait of Hormuz disrupt global shipping, a shadow “ghost fleet” exploiting landlocked African flags is emerging as a strategic and legal threat—placing new responsibility on South Africa’s maritime authorities.
defenceweb.co.za/sea/sea-sea/...

Roelf Meyer takes military nous to Washington - DefenceWeb The wider – and generally more advanced in age – South African military community will be hoping Roelf Meyer remembers and utilises his defence knowledge when

The wider – and generally more advanced in age – South African military community will be hoping Roelf Meyer remembers and utilises his defence knowledge when he takes up the position of Ambassador to the United States (US).
defenceweb.co.za/joint/diplom...

Military pensioners’ medical fund not financially well - DefenceWeb There are thousands of military pensioners/retirees who will disagree with Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga when she told a

There are thousands of military pensioners/retirees who will disagree with Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga when she told a Parliamentary questioner the SA Military Health Service (SAMHS) continues to deliver.
defenceweb.co.za/sa-defence-s...

Additions and improvements for Armscor dockyard - DefenceWeb Armscor dockyard in Simon’s Town – thanks to innovative engineering which saw a specialist docking cradle designed and assembled – can now handle the three

Armscor dockyard in Simon’s Town – thanks to innovative engineering which saw a specialist docking cradle designed and assembled – can now handle the three new SA Navy (SAN) multi-mission inshore patrol vessels (MMIPVs) on its syncrolift. defenceweb.co.za/industry/ind...

Mozambique relies on Rwanda’s troops to fight terrorism: what happens if they leave? - DefenceWeb Rwanda has threatened to withdraw its troops from Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province, signalling a potentially decisive shift in the southern African

Rwanda has threatened to withdraw its troops from Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province, signalling a potentially decisive shift in the southern African country’s security architecture.
defenceweb.co.za/joint/diplom...

The Navy Festival is on in Simon’s Town this weekend - DefenceWeb Starting Friday, 17 March, the SA Navy (SAN) opens its doors for the 2026 edition of the popular Navy Festival in Simon’s Town.

Starting Friday, 17 March, the SA Navy (SAN) opens its doors for the 2026 edition of the popular Navy Festival in Simon’s Town.
defenceweb.co.za/sea/sea-sea/...

SA defence logistics reset - DefenceWeb Being asked to do more with less in an increasingly complex security environment, operating on ageing systems, under fiscal pressure and with fragmented

Being asked to do more with less in an increasingly complex security environment, operating on ageing systems, under fiscal pressure and with fragmented support structures led to a reset in the Logistics Division of the SA Department of Defence.
defenceweb.co.za/joint/logist...

The SANDF’s internal deployment - DefenceWeb In the State of the Nation Address on 12 February, President Ramaphosa announced: “To strengthen our fight against gang violence, I am deploying the South

There are strong arguments against the use of soldiers for domestic policing purposes, some of them to do with the unsuitability of the army’s posture, training and equipment, and some undermine standards of policing and the rule of law in the long term.
defenceweb.co.za/sa-defence-s...

Lessons learned the hard way with the AU Mission in Somalia - DefenceWeb The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) lasted 16 years and was one of the most ambitious peacekeeping efforts in the AU’s history. With six

The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) lasted 16 years and was one of the most ambitious peacekeeping efforts in the AU’s history.
defenceweb.co.za/land/land-la...

African Military Profile: Lesotho - DefenceWeb Surrounded entirely by South Africa, the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) has been shaped less by external threats than by domestic political dynamics.

Surrounded entirely by South Africa, the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) has been shaped less by external threats than by domestic political dynamics. defenceweb.co.za/land/land-la...