SADF

HISTORY The South African Defence Force (SADF) comprised the South African armed forces from 1957 until 1994. Shortly before the state reconstituted itself as a republic in 1961, the former Union Defence Force was officially succeeded by the SADF, which was established by the Defence Act (No. 44) of 1957. The SADF, in turn, was superseded by the South African National Defence Force in 1994. The military expanded during the 1970s, the SADF general staff was organised into six sections — finance, intelligence, logistics, operations, personnel, and planning; uniquely, the South African Medical Service (SAMS) was made co-equal with the South African Army, the South African Navy and the South African Air Force. The military was mostly composed of white South Africans, who alone were subject to conscription. However, Asians and Coloured citizens with mixed ancestry were eligible to serve as volunteers, several even attaining commissioned rank. Units such as the 32 Battalion incorporated many black volunteers. Conscription was opposed by organizations such as the End Conscription Campaign, but overall, white morale remained high — as indicated by the few recruits tried for serious disciplinary offences. South African military units were involved in the long-running Mozambican and Angolan civil wars, SADF personnel were also deployed during the related South African Border and Namibian independence conflicts. BUDGET $3,092 billion USD SERVICE BRANCHES South African Army South African Navy South African Air Force South African Medical Service PERSONNEL Prior to amalgamation, the SADF had the following force: Full-time – 40 000 Volunteer Service, 5 000 National Service Auxiliaries – 16 000 Civilians – 24 000 Part-time – 500 000 Citizen Force (approximately 120 000) Commando Force (approximately 130 000 in 200 Units) Reserves (approximately 180 000) At its peak in 1989 it was ranked by Jane’s 360 Military review as the 4th strongest military in the world by ranking.

Industry

Armed Forces

Company size

10,001+ employees

Type

Government Agency

Founded

1957