South African National Defence Force

[maumau]

true,africans politics is undermining african militaries,also the so called secrecy within the military apparatus has hidden corruption,illegal arms dealing where african militaries are used as end -use certificate.but in end this lay back mentality is becaming detrimental to security of this african,with the new emerging threats e.g what is happening in nigeria with boko haram and kenya with the alshabaab.armies that didn't put more enphasis to asymmetric warfare are now finding that they need to change their tactics and weapons procurements.thank for your input ,its better to talk about finding solutions than differing.

[Jernej]

I was going through some of my grandfather's stuff and found a picture of a mercenary who had worked in Angola and South Africa. This, and his name were the only things written under the picture. Can anybody identify him?

175070

[vor033]

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/vor033/SANDF/c1e1fbcd.jpg


2 August 2010. Kutum: South African contingent based in UNAMID Kutum camp site. In the picture, Deputy commander Liutenant Justin Heath, from Boksburg (Johanesburg), married with another South African military. He was in the UN peacekeeping mission in DRC (Congo) for 7 months. He is patroling in Tiksas, a village abandoned by the population some years ago due to the war in Darfur.

[vor033]

South African Soldiers based at Kutum Camp while serving with UNAMID during a vehicle patrol in and around thevillage of Kambut , near Kutum 3rd August 2010



http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/vor033/SANDF/d7c42456.jpg

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/vor033/SANDF/0ee3d006.jpg

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/vor033/SANDF/adb348c3.jpg

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/vor033/SANDF/d5ff0fcc.jpg

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/vor033/SANDF/bd972e87.jpg

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/vor033/SANDF/416ff20b.jpg

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/vor033/SANDF/b4650bc0.jpg

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/vor033/SANDF/f2eac552.jpg

[vor033]

South African Soldiers serving with UNAMID during a Medal Parade in Kutum 17th March 2011


http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/vor033/SANDF/b98cfdf9.jpg

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/vor033/SANDF/8cce297b.jpg

[vor033]

South African troops serving with UNAMID celebrate their national Women's Day in Kutum (North Darfur). 8th August 2011


http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/vor033/SANDF/d689b12c.jpg

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/vor033/SANDF/6ee474fd.jpg

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/vor033/SANDF/9c6529af.jpg

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/vor033/SANDF/09256390.jpg

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/vor033/SANDF/a3e31c81.jpg

[GETSOME]

Interesting FB page to all those SADF vets and anyone interested,lots of pics and info.http://www.facebook.com/groups/grensoorlog/10150800471610797/?notif_t=group_activity

[Swan101]

Can anyone tell what vehicle this is? Found it on a SADF related site.

This is an Sesspir. It was used with 101 Bn. Callsign 17. Was with Bravo coy. Had an Hispano 20mm cannon flanked by 2 x .30 brownings. Photo taken by me

[wilhelm]

This is an Sesspir. It was used with 101 Bn. Callsign 17. Was with Bravo coy. Had an Hispano 20mm cannon flanked by 2 x .30 brownings. Photo taken by me

Interesting. Welcome aboard.

Do you know how many were built?
What was the reason behind it, and what did it perform like?

[Swan101]

Interesting. Welcome aboard.

Do you know how many were built?
What was the reason behind it, and what did it perform like?

I am not sure how many were done, it was a basic Casspir with the extended nose. The nose was taken off later as it didn't work out as planned. the idea was to ride in front of the convoy and detonate the mines. Then the front axle could be retracted by a winch. What would happen was the 3rd or 4th vehicle in the covoy would hit the mine. The Sesspir was also heavy on engines and would get stuck in the mud more often. The front differetial also suffered later. But this was a mean machine. I think if the front axle was replaced with a differetial, then it may have worked.

[wilhelm]

I am not sure how many were done, it was a basic Casspir with the extended nose. The nose was taken off later as it didn't work out as planned. the idea was to ride in front of the convoy and detonate the mines. Then the front axle could be retracted by a winch. What would happen was the 3rd or 4th vehicle in the covoy would hit the mine. The Sesspir was also heavy on engines and would get stuck in the mud more often. The front differetial also suffered later. But this was a mean machine. I think if the front axle was replaced with a differetial, then it may have worked.

Thanks for that.

Below is a link that you may find interesting. It is about various SADF prototype and specialist vehicles.
You will have to register to see the pictures, but it is free, easy and well worth it. Probably the best such discussion on the net.
There are a couple of Sesspir pictures in the thread, so it would be good if you commented on there due to you actually having seen or been in the vehicle.


http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,9088.0.html

[Dinges]

I took this pic this morning.

http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w506/LivingVibrator/Ratellogb.jpg

[Cpl Kat]

I took this pic this morning.

What are we looking at Dinges? A Ratel based mobile workshop?

[Dinges]

What are we looking at Dinges? A Ratel based mobile workshop?

That is the 8x8 Ratel Log of myth.

[Boertjie01]

My-my, are there plans in order to maybe resurrect this vehicle? :-P

[Dinges]

My-my, are there plans in order to maybe resurrect this vehicle? :-P

I highly doubt it. It never left experimental testing IIRC. I understand it is to be restored cosmetically , but that info is severely watered down.

[Reno]

So a few weeks back I went to the middle of nowhere to watch the Air Force blow things up. Here are some pictures of said weapons-display!

http://i.imgur.com/1mjFJh.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/aDWBoh.jpg

Hawk Strafing Run (target was 1km out)
http://i.imgur.com/rPtFlh.jpg

Rooivalk 70mm rocket attack
http://i.imgur.com/znjeqh.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/9zwFZh.jpg

[Maktab]

Epic photos Reno! That shot of three Oryx helicopters firing flares simultaneously is especially awesome, as far as I know it may be the first time they've done that for a demo.

I still love the sound of the Hawk's cannon, it's very distinct and quite different to what I expected it would sound like.

[Reno]

Thanks :)

You can't see, but there's actually another Oryx and Rooivalk behind that one dumping flares as well. Definitely quite a show!

[Maktab]

So that's what they mean by 'active camouflage'? :)