This is a list of equipment of the South African Army, covering only ground forces. It includes current equipment such as small arms, personal equipment, combat vehicles, artillery, air-defence and missile systems, logistics and utility vehicles, engineering equipment, unmanned drones, watercraft, as well as future equipment and planned acquisitions.
The South African Army's inventory consists largely of domestically produced weapons, with around 80% sourced from the local defence industry and the remaining 20% being a mix of European, Israeli, and American systems. South Africa has the largest and most advanced defence industry in Africa, enabling the army to achieve a high degree of self-sufficiency in its equipment.
Due to the size of the South African Army and the limited availability of official inventory figures, it is difficult to accurately determine the full extent of its equipment holdings. Since post-apartheid downsizing, large quantities of equipment have been withdrawn from frontline service, placed into reserve formations or long-term storage, sold abroad, converted into specialised variants, or retired entirely in order to reduce operating costs. Where possible, this article distinguishes between the total quantity historically acquired and the number reportedly retained in South African Army inventory according to publicly available defence sources and estimates.
Weapons Note: This section covers only the standard small arms and light weapons operated by the South African Army. Weapons used exclusively by the South African Special Forces are listed separately, as that branch maintains its own inventory distinct from the conventional army. For weapons used by the Special Forces, see: South African Special Forces equipment.
Pistols NameOriginTypeCalibreImageDetailsVektor Z88 Semi-automatic pistol 9×19mm 15-round semi-automatic service pistol license-produced from the Italian Beretta 92F platform. Issued as the standard sidearm of the South African Army and widely used across SANDF services for personal defence and secondary weapon roles.Vektor SP1Semi-automatic pistol9×19mm15-round semi-automatic pistol developed as a more compact complement to the standard-issue Z88 service pistol. Primarily used alongside the Z88 by specialist personnel and infantry officers. The pistol remains compatible with standard 9×19 mm Parabellum ammunition and existing SANDF sidearm logistics.
Infantry rifles NameOriginTypeCalibreImageDetails Vektor R4 Assault rifle 5.56×45mm South African assault rifle and carbine family developed from the Israeli Galil platform for operations in harsh African environments. The R4 serves as the standard-issue service rifle, while the shorter R5 carbine is primarily used by mechanised and airborne infantry, as well as vehicle crews. Under Project African Warrior, many rifles received upgraded rail systems, adjustable stocks, optical-sight compatibility, and improved ergonomics for modern combat operations.
The rifles fire 5.56×45 mm NATO ammunition and are fed from 35-round detachable magazines.Vektor R5Carbine rifleVektor R1Battle rifle7.62×51mmBattle rifle family based on the Belgian FN FAL platform. The R1 previously served as the standard-issue rifle of the SADF, while the compact R2 variant was developed for airborne and seaborne units requiring improved mobility. Although largely replaced by the R4/R5, remaining rifles continue to serve in reserve stocks and designated marksman roles. Some examples have also received upgraded optics rails and precision-support modifications.
The rifles fire 7.62×51 mm NATO ammunition and are fed from 20-round detachable magazines.Vektor R2Battle rifle
Long range rifles NameOriginTypeCalibreImageDetailsTruvelo CMS Counter Measure SniperBolt action sniper rifle 12.7×99mm .338 Lapua 7.62×51mmBolt-action precision rifle family developed for long-range sniper and anti-materiel operations. Employed by the Army Infantry Sniper Corps and Special Forces in anti-personnel, anti-equipment, and precision-support roles. The rifle family features a modular aluminium chassis, folding stock, quick-change barrel system, and compatibility with advanced optical and thermal sighting equipment.
Multiple calibre configurations are used including; 7.62×51 mm NATO, .338 Lapua Magnum, and 12.7×99 mm NATO (.50 BMG) with effective ranges exceeding 800 m, 1,200 m, and 1,800 m. Denel NTW-20 Anti-materiel sniper rifle 20×82mm 14.5×114m Heavy anti-materiel rifle developed for long-range engagement of hardened and high-value targets. Used by Special Forces and the Infantry Sniper Corps for counter-materiel and long-range precision-fire operations. The rifle features a reinforced chassis, recoil mitigation systems, interchangeable barrel assemblies, and compatibility with specialised long-range optics and thermal sighting equipment.
The NTW-20 is chambered in 20×82 mm and 14.5×114 mm configurations, featuring interchangeable calibre-conversion capability and compatibility with armour-piercing (AP), incendiary, and high-explosive (HE) ammunition. Effective engagement ranges vary between approximately 1,500–2,300 m depending on calibre and ammunition type.Truvelo DMRDesignated marksman rifle5.56x45mm 7.62×51mmSouth African designated marksman rifle (DMR) developed to provide infantry marksmen with extended-range precision fire capability between standard service rifles and dedicated sniper systems. Designed around a modern AR-15 style platform with full-length rail systems, adjustable furniture, and compatibility with magnified optics and bipods. The rifle is currently undergoing evaluation under Project Tedu.
Submachine guns NameOriginTypeCalibreImageDetails HK MP5 Submachine gun 9×19mm Submachine gun used in limited numbers by South African Special Forces, military police units, and army reconnaissance elements. Primarily employed for close-quarters combat (CQB) and urban operations. Variants in service include the MP5A3 with collapsible stock, the integrally suppressed MP5SD for covert operations, and the compact MP5K for vehicle crews and protection details.
Machine guns NameOriginTypeCalibreImageDetails FN MAG General-purpose machine gun 7.62×51mm Belt-fed general-purpose machine gun (GPMG) used for sustained suppressive fire across infantry, vehicle-mounted, and aerial support roles. Widely employed at section and platoon level throughout SANDF formations. The weapon is valued for its reliability, maintainability, and compatibility with NATO-standard ammunition stocks. It is commonly mounted on bipods, tripods, vehicles, and helicopter platforms.
The FN MAG fires 7.62×51 mm NATO ammunition and is belt-fed using disintegrating link belts.Vektor SS-77General-purpose machine gun7.62×51mmBelt-fed general-purpose machine gun (GPMG) developed as a locally manufactured alternative to the FN MAG. Used in infantry support, convoy protection, and vehicle-mounted fire-support roles. The SS-77 fires 7.62×51 mm NATO ammunition and operates at an approximate cyclic rate of 700 rounds per minute. M2 Browning Heavy machine gun 12.7×99mm Heavy machine gun (HMG) employed in vehicle-mounted, defensive, and long-range support roles. Used against personnel, light vehicles, and fortified positions across mechanised and motorised formations. The weapon is commonly mounted on tripods, armoured vehicles, protected mobility vehicles, and remote controlled weapon stations (RCWS).
The M2 Browning fires 12.7×99 mm NATO ammunition and has an effective range exceeding 1,800 m.MG4 BrowningMedium machine gun7.62×51mmSouth African-modified medium machine gun (MMG) based on the Browning M1919A4 platform. Primarily employed as a coaxial and secondary armament on armoured vehicles and helicopters. Locally converted to fire NATO-standard 7.62×51 mm ammunition and integrated into various vehicle fire-control and sighting systems.
Shotguns NameOriginTypeCalibreImageDetailsStoeger SP312 Pump action combat shotgun 12 gauge 12-gauge pump-action combat shotgun used in guard, breaching, and close-quarters combat roles. Issued to infantry, military police, and security personnel for urban and internal-security operations. The shotgun is capable of firing lethal and less-lethal ammunition including buckshot, slugs, rubber rounds, and breaching loads. Its simple pump-action design is valued for reliability in harsh operating conditions.
Grenade launchers NameOriginTypeCalibreImageDetails Milkor MGL Grenade launcher 40×46 mm LV 40x51 mm MV A multi-shot grenade launcher family developed for rapid short-range fire support and area suppression. Widely used by infantry, Special Forces, and policing units in urban combat operations. Variants include the improved Y2 service model and the newer Y4 SuperSix capable of firing medium-velocity ammunition. The launchers are equipped with optical sights, laser rangefinders, and are compatible with a wide range of lethal and less-lethal grenade types.
The weapon fires 40 mm grenades from a 6-round revolving cylinder with practical rates of fire reaching approximately 18 rounds per minute. Denel Y3 AGL Grenade machine gun 40×53 mm HV Automatic grenade launcher (AGL) developed for sustained explosive fire support and area suppression. Commonly mounted on vehicles, tripods, and protected mobility platforms for convoy protection and mechanised infantry support.
The weapon has a 325–375 RPM rate of fire and an effective range of up to 1,500 m.
Anti-armour weapons NameOriginTypeWarheadImageDetailsMILAN ADT-ERATGM Anti-tank guided missile115 mmFranco-German wire-guided anti-tank missile system used by mechanised infantry units for medium-range anti-armour operations. The missile was commonly mounted on tripods and Ratel IFVs, providing infantry units with a reliable anti-tank capability during and after the Border War. Upgraded launchers and missile stocks later remained in secondary service following Project Kingfisher, which modernised dozens of launchers to MILAN ADT-ER extended-range standard.
The upgraded MILAN has an operational range of approximately 3,000 m with improved penetration and engagement capability compared to earlier variants.ZT3 IngweATGM Anti-tank guided missile152 mmSouth African long-range anti-tank guided missile system (ATGM) designed to defeat modern main battle tanks and fortified positions. Used by mechanised infantry and vehicle-mounted anti-tank units on Ratel and Badger combat vehicles. The missile was later upgraded to the ZT3A2 baseline standard under Project Adrift further improving penetration, guidance, and range performance.
The ZT3 Ingwe uses laser beam-riding guidance and has an effective range of up to approximately 5,000 m. RPG-7 RPG Rocket-propelled grenade 40 mm Soviet-designed rocket-propelled grenade launcher captured during the Border War and later integrated into SANDF inventory for infantry anti-armour and anti-structure roles. The launcher remains valued for its simplicity, portability, and wide variety of compatible rocket types despite its ageing design. It continues to see use with light infantry units in irregular warfare, bunker clearance, and close-range engagements.
The RPG-7 fires unguided rockets with an effective range of approximately 200–500 m. Denel FT5 Anti-tank rocket weapon 100 mm South African-developed unguided anti-tank rocket weapon designed to replace the ageing French LRAC F1 and Soviet RPG-7 that were in service at the time. Operated by anti-tank teams and specialist combat formations for long-range anti-armour and anti-structure missions. The missile uses advanced tandem-HEAT warheads for defeating modern armour and large bunkers.
Since 2007 the weapons have been placed in reserve as its ammunition was considered to be too expensive to fire during exercises. Carl Gustaf M4 Recoilless rifle 84 mm Swedish-designed reusable recoilless rifle adopted as a modern multi-role infantry support weapon for anti-armour, anti-structure, and fire-support operations.