South African National Defence Force

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) comprises the armed forces of South Africa. The commander of the SANDF is appointed by the President of South Africa from one of the armed services. They are in turn accountable to the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans of the Defence Department.

The military as it exists today was created in 1994, following South Africa's first post-apartheid national elections and the adoption of a new constitution. It replaced the South African Defence Force.

History
The SANDF took over the personnel and equipment from the SADF and integrated forces from the former Bantustan homelands forces, as well as personnel from the former guerrilla forces of some of the political parties involved in South Africa, such as the African National Congress's Umkhonto we Sizwe, the Pan Africanist Congress's Azanian People's Liberation Army and the Self-Protection Units of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP).

As of 2004, the integration process was considered complete, with the integrated personnel having been incorporated into a slightly modified structure very similar to that of the SADF, with the latter's structure and equipment for the most part being retained. However, due to integration problems, financial constraints, and other issues, the SANDF was facing capability constraints.'

The South African Commando System was a territorial militia active until 2008, based upon local units from the size of company to battalion. In its final years its role was to support the South African Police in internal security, During such deployments the units came under Police control.

Re-Armament
In 1999 a US$4.8 billion (R30 billion in 1999 rands) purchase of weaponry by the South African Government was finalised, which has been subject to allegations of corruption. The South African Department of Defence's Strategic Defence Acquisition purchased frigates, submarines, light utility helicopters, lead-in fighter trainers and advanced light fighter aircraft.

Current Role
The SANDF plays a role in peacekeeping mostly on the African continent through the United Nations as well as providing election observers from time to time.

Internal Operations
The SANDF is involved in a number of internal operations, including:
 * Safeguarding the Border (Operation CORONA)
 * Disaster relief and assistance (Operation CHARIOT)
 * Safety and security (Operation PROSPER)
 * Security for the 2013 African Cup Of Nations (Operation PHEFO)

Organisation and structure
Overall command is vested in an officer designated Chief of the SANDF (CSANDF). Appointed from any of the Arms of Service and the only person in the SANDF at the rank of General or Admiral, he is accountable to the Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, who heads up the Department of Defence

The structure of the SANDF is depicted below:

Four armed services make up the forces of the SANDF:
 * South African Army
 * South African Air Force
 * South African Navy
 * South African Military Health Service

The Joint Operations Division is responsible for co-ordinating all Joint Operations involving any or all of the four services. The South African Special Forces Brigade is a separate special forces unit under the direct command of the Joint Operations division.