The Department of Defence (DoD) has reprioritised some available funding towards “absolute essentials” required for deployed members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and is acquiring thousands of tents and flak jackets, amongst others.
This was revealed in a presentation prepared by the DoD for the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans (PCDMV), which convened on 4 February to discuss the Defence Amendment Bill, Military Disciplinary Supplementary Measures Bill, and feedback from the DoD on the PCDMV’s 2025 Budgetary Review and Recommendations Report (BRRR).
One of the items highlighted in the BRRR was the PCDMV’s “frustration and displeasure at the unacceptable lack of basic equipment for soldiers, especially those being deployed. Quality boots, uniforms, bullet proof vests, weapons and serviceable vehicles should be the minimum requirement for any military force. The Committee therefore insist on a ‘back to basics’ approach, with a funding reprioritisation by the DoD to focus on the absolute essential tasks and equipment provision.”
In response, the DoD said it had reprioritised available funding towards the absolute essentials required for deployed forces, namely: force protection, shelter and accommodation, health and safety, weapons security, and mission sustainment.
“To enable this, the Logistics Division was allocated R64 million specifically to procure and deliver Border Safeguarding Optimisation Plan (BSOP) equipment,” the Department stated. Some items have already been procured and delivered, while others are in the procurement process and these include 790 complete chopper tents; 500 16×32 tents; 500 16×;16 tents; 239 chemical toilets; and 1 826 stretchers.
“As part of the procurement process, all of the above were advertised, closed, and had their functionality evaluated on 26 January 2026,” the DoD said.
A go-ahead was given to the supplier to prepare for the delivery of 2 810 flak jackets with bullet proof inserts (approved at a November 2025 meeting). Ballistic tests have already been completed, and 203 sets have been delivered to the SANDF’s Mobilisation Centre.
