Namibian Defence Force

[Bernard Woolley]

Namibian Defence Force

Windhoek, Namibia.

Joint Operations Directorate


Namibian Special Forces
- Paratroop Unit
- Commando Regiment
- Amphibious Special Operations Unit

[Bernard Woolley]

Namibian Army

H.Q: Grootfontein

- Engineer Regiment
-- Headquarters Squadron
-- Construction Engineer Squadron
-- Combat Engineer Squadron

- Logistic Support Battalion

- Military Police Battalion

- Recce Regiment

- Signals Regiment


Air Defence Brigade
- 12 Air Defence Regiment: 37mm M1939
- 21 Air Defence Regiment: ZU-23-2 mounted on wolf MPV, 9K32 Strela-2
- 26 Air Defence Regiment: ZU-23-2 mounted on wolf MPV, 9K32 Strela-2


4 Artillery Brigade
- 44 Artillery Regiment: BM-21 Grad
- 46 Artillery Regiment: Type 81 MLRS
- 21 Artillery Regiment: BL 5.5inch, 152mm M1937


12 Motorised Infantry Brigade [NOTE 1]
- 124 Battalion:
- 125 Battalion:
- 126 Battalion:
- 12 Artillery Regiment: 25pdr, Grad-P


21 Motorised Infantry Brigade [NOTE 2]
- 21 Ceremonial Guard Battalion: Wer'wolf MK2, Eland 90
- 211 Battalion: Wer'wolf MK2, Eland 90
- 212 Battalion: Wer'wolf MK2, Eland 90
- 213 Mechanized Infantry Battalion: T-54, Ratel IFV
- 21 Artillery Regiment: G5 Leopard


26 Motorised Infantry Brigade [NOTE 3]
- 261 Battalion:
- 262 Battalion:
- 263 Battalion:
- School of Artillery: Various


Independent Battalions
- 126 Battalion: Defends Walvis Bay
- 262 Motorized Infantry Battalion: Casspir – based at Rundu
- 263 Motorized Infantry Battalion – based at Oshakati

*

1) Was responsible for the defence of the southern areas of Namibia.

2) The premier formation of the Namibian Army, trained and partially equipped by the South African Defence Force. Was considered the best trained formation and was earmarked to provide the basis for any contingents sent abroad on peacekeeping missions. The guard battalion serves primarily as a guard of honour unit but is also trained and equipped as a motorised battalion. Until 2005 it also had the task of protecting the Namibian President, until this was stopped by President Hifikepunye Pohamba. It did continue to perform Public Duties and provide security in the capital.

3) Was responsible for the defence of the northern areas of Namibia.

[Bernard Woolley]

Namibian Navy

H.Q: Naval Base Capt (N) P.N. Sacharia, Walvis Bay


Patrol Boat
NS Oryx (P01)

Note: Formerly a civilian fisheries patrol vessel, the ship was transferred to the newly formed Namibian Navy in 2004. Becoming the navy’s first ship. Was armed with 1 × 12.7/90 mm gun.

Imperial Marinheiro Class
NS Lt Gen Dimo Hamaambo (C11) (ex- Purus)

Note: A 1950s era corvette supplied by Brazil. Was armed with one 3”/50 calibre gun and four 20mm Oerlikon cannon.

Namacurra class patrol boats
Y01
Y10

Note: Small harbour patrol boats donated by South Africa. Were armed with 1x 12.7mm HMG and two 7.62mm MMG.

Other boats
The Namibian Navy has a variety of small patrol boats, RHIB, interceptors, landing craft etc.


Future Ships
The Namibian Navy was planning to operate at least three additional patrol vessels/corvettes, a logistics vessels and additional, larger harbour patrol vessels. The vessels were expected to be supplied by Brazil and China.


Marine Unit
The Namibian Navy had in 2005 recently established a marine infantry branch. The first marines having been trained in Brazil. The intention in the long term was to establish a formal marine corps, of about battalion strength. However, in 2005, the Marine Unit was only around company strength. For a small, recently established unit it had already become well regarded.

[Bernard Woolley]

Namibian Air Force

H.Q: Karibib Air Force Base


Karibib Air Force Base
15 Wing
- No. 151 Squadron: HAL Cheetah, HAL Chetak, Mil-8, Mil-24 [NOTE 1]

Grootfontein Air Force Base
Air Defence Wing
- No. 23 Squadron: Chengdu F-7, Hongdu K-8 [NOTE 2]
13 Wing
: O-2A, An-26, Harbin Y-12 [NOTE 3]

Keetmanshoop Air Base

Note: In 2005 served mainly as a forward operating location, with no squadrons permanently based. In the longer term it was planned to expand the base and permanently base units there.

*

1) 1 Cheetah, 2 Chetak, 2 each Mil-8 and Mi-24. The Soviet built aircraft were as of 2005 suffering reliability issues caused by shortages of spare parts. The Soviets having increased the costs. The Namibians were actively exploring affordable replacements and had already placed an order for Chinese built Harbin Z-9.

2) The Chinese built fighters and trainers had only recently been delivered and were not fully operational in 2005.

3) Between 4-6 O-2A were serviceable, 1 An-26 and 2 Y-12. The An-26 was also suffering the same sort of reliability issues as the Soviet supplied helicopters.

[Bernard Woolley]

SPACE RESERVED