1 South African Tank Regiment
Encyclopedia
1 South African Tank Regiment is an armour
ed regiment
of the South African Army
, based at the Tempe military base in Bloemfontein
as part of the SA Army Armour Formation.
The Regiment was established in April 1999, composed of members of the old Tank Wing of the Defence Force's School of Armour. It supplies the only full-time tank force to the SA Army. Lt Col William Nondala, the second CO, was the first black commanding officer appointed in the country's Armoured Corps. There are 724 available posts, but 335 are staffed and 389 vacant. The highest shortage level (75%) is experienced at the level of trooper
.
The unit trains jointly with the reserve force units to enhance the ‘one force’ concept, because the reserve force is the expansionary capability of the SANDF in times of national defence. There is however only a small percentage of active reserves, because training call-ups are limited, due to budgetary constraints.
It is equipped with the Olifant
Mk.2 main battle tank
. The unit’s structure is a ‘type 38 regiment’, with 2 tanks at regimental headquarters and 12 tanks each in the three operational squadrons. There are also support squadrons and tank transport squadrons.
The Olifant vehicles have been significantly upgraded with new power packs and stabilized night vision equipment. The vehicles are also capable of fire on the move manoeuvres. The Olifants are likely to be replaced with a small number of new Main Battle Tanks some time after 2010.
Due to a lack of funds for their primary armoured role and a shortage of regular infantry, the unit has recently been deployed in their secondary line infantry role on border patrol and external peacekeeping operations in central Africa. The C (or third) squadron was deployed from April to July 2004 along the Lesotho border and received praise from the Tactical headquarters, police and the farming community. Another squadron will be deployed from December 2004 to March 2005. Several members of the unit are also deployed in the DRC as part of the United Nations’ peacekeeping force and in Burundi as VIP protectors.
Armour
Armour or armor is protective covering used to prevent damage from being inflicted to an object, individual or a vehicle through use of direct contact weapons or projectiles, usually during combat, or from damage caused by a potentially dangerous environment or action...
ed regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
of the South African Army
South African Army
The South African Army is the army of South Africa, first formed after the Union of South Africa was created in 1910.The South African military evolved within the tradition of frontier warfare fought by commando forces, reinforced by the Afrikaners' historical distrust of large standing armies...
, based at the Tempe military base in Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein is the capital city of the Free State Province of South Africa; and, as the judicial capital of the nation, one of South Africa's three national capitals – the other two being Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Pretoria, the administrative capital.Bloemfontein is popularly and...
as part of the SA Army Armour Formation.
The Regiment was established in April 1999, composed of members of the old Tank Wing of the Defence Force's School of Armour. It supplies the only full-time tank force to the SA Army. Lt Col William Nondala, the second CO, was the first black commanding officer appointed in the country's Armoured Corps. There are 724 available posts, but 335 are staffed and 389 vacant. The highest shortage level (75%) is experienced at the level of trooper
Trooper (rank)
Trooper from the French "troupier" is the equivalent rank to private in a regiment with a cavalry tradition in the British Army and many other Commonwealth armies, including those of Australia, Canada, South Africa and New Zealand. Today, most cavalry units operate in the armoured role, equipped...
.
The unit trains jointly with the reserve force units to enhance the ‘one force’ concept, because the reserve force is the expansionary capability of the SANDF in times of national defence. There is however only a small percentage of active reserves, because training call-ups are limited, due to budgetary constraints.
It is equipped with the Olifant
Centurion tank
The Centurion, introduced in 1945, was the primary British main battle tank of the post-World War II period. It was a successful tank design, with upgrades, for many decades...
Mk.2 main battle tank
Main battle tank
A main battle tank , also known as a battle tank or universal tank, is a tank that fills the heavy direct fire role of many modern armies. They were originally conceived to replace the light, medium, heavy and super-heavy tanks. Development was spurred onwards in the Cold War with the development...
. The unit’s structure is a ‘type 38 regiment’, with 2 tanks at regimental headquarters and 12 tanks each in the three operational squadrons. There are also support squadrons and tank transport squadrons.
The Olifant vehicles have been significantly upgraded with new power packs and stabilized night vision equipment. The vehicles are also capable of fire on the move manoeuvres. The Olifants are likely to be replaced with a small number of new Main Battle Tanks some time after 2010.
Due to a lack of funds for their primary armoured role and a shortage of regular infantry, the unit has recently been deployed in their secondary line infantry role on border patrol and external peacekeeping operations in central Africa. The C (or third) squadron was deployed from April to July 2004 along the Lesotho border and received praise from the Tactical headquarters, police and the farming community. Another squadron will be deployed from December 2004 to March 2005. Several members of the unit are also deployed in the DRC as part of the United Nations’ peacekeeping force and in Burundi as VIP protectors.