Full rollout of the South African National Defence Force’s (SANDF’s) new uniform will take place in the 2026/27 financial year following extensive wearer trials.
This is according to the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), which noted in its latest 2024/25 Annual Report that more than 2 000 uniform sets and 3 000 pairs of boots are undergoing wearer trials across various operational environments. This includes in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where SANDF soldiers are currently deployed with the United Nations mission there (MONUSCO).
“Localisation of fabric production has been secured. Final specifications will be submitted to the Department of Defence, with a full rollout planned for the 2026/27 financial year,” the CSIR stated.
The Council helped develop a new camouflage uniform and enhanced combat boots for the South African Army. These feature gender-specific designs, improved materials and enhanced comfort technologies. The new work dress was officially unveiled in November 2022 at the SA Army division exercise Vuk’uhlome in the Northern Cape.
The current uniform has been in use since 2002. Boots wear out quickly in tropical conditions and the fabric camouflage pattern has been compromised by unauthorised civilian use. The existing uniform is sometimes uncomfortable in semi-desert and sub-tropical regions as well as hampering movement when soldiers sweat excessively. The textile loses colour quickly and takes a long time to dry. Further issues are many of the uniform components in stock are either too small or too big.
Total roll out of the new uniform was originally planned for July 2020 but never materialised due to lack of funding, according to a June 2023 presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans (PCDMV) by Major General Sean Stratford, Chief Director Force Structure. At the time, he said fully rolling out the new uniform for the SA Army, based on a strength of 55 173, would cost just over R3 billion while rollout to all four services would cost R3.3 billion. Rolling out an initial set of new uniforms to all Army personnel is estimated to cost R700 million.
