The South African Army’s Rapid Deployment Brigade, established to respond to modern threats such as asymmetric warfare, has been flexing its muscles at the Northern Cape Combat Training Centre (CTC) for Exercise Vuk’uhlome 2025.
The fourth iteration of the Army’s flagship force preparation and training exercise drew in some 9 000 personnel, hundreds of military vehicles, and a dozen aircraft, amongst others. Beginning with troop and equipment arrivals in September, Exercise Vuk’uhlome 2025 culminated in a Distinguished Visitors’ Day on Wednesday 26 November attended by Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga, Chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) General Rudzani Maphwanya, SA Army Chief Lieutenant General Lawrence Mbatha, and chiefs of defence from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
The aims of the exercise – the largest in the SANDF – are to assess and enhance force preparedness, strengthen joint and multinational interoperability, and affirm the SA Army’s capacity to execute its mandate in line with national security objectives. This year’s edition featured a coordinated collaboration among the South African Army, the South African Air Force (SAAF), the South African Military Health Service (SAMHS), and the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Mbatha said 9 000 personnel were involved in Vuk’uhlome IV, of which 6 000 were part of the Rapid Deployment Brigade and 3 000 on SANDF training courses (in comparison, there were 13 000 troops deployed in 2022, 14 000 in 2023, and 7 000 in 2024). The Rapid Deployment Brigade (formerly the Mechanised Modern Brigade Tactical Headquarters) is part of the modern brigade concept, which is cognisant of asymmetric and terrorism threats to South Africa. In March this year, Lieutenant Colonel Ncamsile Deborah Mthembu was appointed as Officer Commanding the Rapid Deployment Brigade.
In addition to force preparation and training, Exercise Vuk’uhlome IV is also about displaying and maintaining sovereign capabilities, Mbatha said. Representatives from SADC countries were able to witness these capabilities first hand – capabilities, he added, which have been strengthened by the wisdom from combat experience in Sudan, Mozambique, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Mbatha said he was proud of the important role the Army, Air Force, and SA Military Health Service played, and the contributions of the technicians who made sure equipment was serviceable. The Army has established additional regional workshops around the country to maintain its equipment, with 101 Field Workshop at the Combat Training Centre playing a leading role in refurbishing and servicing hundreds of vehicles for the exercise.
These refreshed vehicles – distinguished by their camouflage paint schemes that are replacing the old brown colour – assembled at Mount Huxley for the Distinguished Visitors’ Day demonstration. This then began with a scenario of the SANDF being deployed to provide stability to a fictional African country, similar to its deployments to Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Soldiers dressed up in civvies simulated a large group of angry protesters, who burnt tyres, sang and danced before charging military riot police and South African Police Service (SAPS) crowd control members – the police were an integral part of Vuk’uhlome 2025 and brought several Nyala armoured vehicles to the CTC as part of their contribution. After a melee in front of the assembled guests, the crowd was brought under control with the help of dogs and soldiers on horses and motorcycles – newly acquired Suzuki V-Strom 250 motorbikes were showcased at the exercise for the first time, replacing older Yamaha XT350s and XT250s.
With order restored, it was time for Pathfinders to jump from an Oryx helicopter. Quadcopter drones were deployed to make sure the area was secure before troops were withdrawn. A fire power demonstration was conducted with a 155 mm G6 self-propelled howitzer and a Denel T5-52 8×8 truck-mounted howitzer.
Over the next few hours, assembled guests were treated to a demonstration of capabilities from artillery, air defence, armour, and more. The range lit up with ZU-23 and Oerlikon anti-aircraft fire, Bateleur rockets, 76 mm and 105 mm fire from Rooikat armoured cars and Olifant tanks, and small arms, mortar, and Carl Gustav recoilless rifle fire. The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) launched a target drone to draw fire from the anti-aircraft artillery.
The SAAF also played its part, using a C212 light transport to drop parachutists and cargo, and an Oryx helicopter to fastrope troops in and out, and carry out a stretcher evacuation. Two Gripens made a quick appearance, dropping flares on their way out. Two Hawks armed with bombs and cannon pods were meant to fire their weapons but could not do so as a Ratel got stuck on the range and they did not have enough fuel to hold while the range was cleared and the vehicle recovered – this also cancelled a C-130 Hercules mass parachute drop – however, parachutists were dropped from the C-130 during the practice day on Tuesday.
According to the SANDF, Exercise Vuk’uhlome is a critical platform for refining joint operational strategy, enhancing interoperability, and ensuring that South Africa maintains a capable, disciplined, and responsive defence force. This was done with a focus on battlefield manoeuvres, rapid response operations, integrated mission planning, and the application of combined arms tactics within a realistic training environment.
After the range fell silent on Wednesday, Mbatha declared troops combat ready. The Combat Readiness Certificate was presented by Mbatha and Maphwanya to Motshekga, who said the SANDF continues to be the pride of the nation in spite of underfunding and other challenges. The minister added that she was grateful and humbled to see the SANDF in action, and pledged to do all in her power to sustain the military, including addressing the issue of funding.
