Remove ads
The Namibian Army is the ground warfare branch of the Namibian Defence Force.
| Namibian Army | |
|---|---|
 Emblem of the Namibian Army | |
| Founded | 3 September 1990 |
| Country |  Namibia |
| Type | Army |
| Part of | Namibian Defence Force |
| Garrison/HQ | Grootfontein, Otjozondjupa Region, Namibia |
| Anniversaries | 3 September 1990[1] |
| Engagements | Caprivi Conflict Second Congo War United Nations Mission in Liberia |
| Commanders | |
| Commander-In-Chief | Nangolo Mbumba |
| Minister of Defence | Frans Kapofi |
| Army Commander | Major General Aktofel Nambahu[2] |
| Insignia | |
| Flag |  |
Development of Namibia's army was the fastest of the three arms of service. The first units of the Army were deployed as early as 1990. The Army was formed when the two former enemies South West African Territorial Force and the People's Liberation Army of Namibia were inducted after Namibia's independence into the newly created Namibian Defence Force.
The Ministry of Defence has outlined the Army policy as follows:
"The Army's principal roles will continue to be as already outlined in the defence policy. The Army will strive to maximise its operational effectiveness through the recruitment of the best young men and women who wish to pursue a military career, their effective training and employment. The Army's equipment priorities are improved troop-lift capacity (road and air); engineer, artillery, anti-tank and air defence and communication systems: the aim being to create a secure, integrated, efficient and cost-effective systems." "The Army will remain a well-disciplined and accountable, professional (all volunteer) force; it will include development of a Reserve; it will continue to train along the lines of other Commonwealth armies; it will train with other Namibian forces (such as the police) to rehearse plans for aid to the civil authorities, civil ministries and civil community; and it will promote a good public image and contribute to the communities in which it is based."[3]
Remove ads
The Army is a hierarchical organisation, with the Army commander exercising overall command. The Army headquarters are located at Grootfontein military base,a former SADF logistics base. The Army has several thousand members. Senior Army officers also dominate staff positions at Defence Headquarters.
Local deployments
The Namibian Army had a convoy service on Namibia's Trans Caprivi Highway which runs from Otavi, Grootfontein, Rundu, Katima Mulilo until Ngoma border post on the Namibia and Botswana border. The convoy system ran twice daily between Bagani and Kongola in the then Caprivi region. The convoy system was run from 2000 till 2002.[4][5]
SADC deployments
Angola (Operation Mandume ya Ndemufayo)
The Namibian Army also deployed troops to help fight UNITA insurgents active in and around the Kavango region. The operation codenamed Mandume ya Ndemufayo was a response to UNITA attacks on Namibian citizens. The Namibian cross-border pursuit operations were carried out with consent of the Angolan government.[6] At least two soldiers were killed in operation Mandume ya Ndemufayo.[7] In an operation between 30 January 2001 to 14 February 2001 an estimated 19 UNITA rebels were killed while various weaponry such as anti-tank and anti-personnel landmines, and assault rifles ranging from AK-47 and R-1s were recovered.[8] In a joint operation with the Angolan Armed Forces, the Namibian Defence Force in May 2001 helped dislodge UNITA from Mavinga in May 2001.[9]
Democratic Republic of the Congo (Operation Atlantic)
The Namibian Army deployed a battle group during the Second Congo War that numbered about 2000 troops and consisted of Infantry, Artillery Signals, and Air Force Detachments. The first commander of the battle group was Brigadier James Auala.[10][11] About 30 Namibian Serviceman died in the DRC operations.[12] The Operation was Code named Atlantic . The SADC coalition force commander was always a Zimbabwean and deputy force commander a Namibian, and the Chief of Staff was an Angolan.[13] 11 Namibian soldiers were held as prisoners of war in Rwanda, they were released in June 2000.[14] The soldiers were captured in April 1999 in the Lusambo area which is about 120 kilometers east of Mbuji-Mayi.[15] In January 2001 after Laurent-Désiré Kabila's death the Namibian army contingent was reinforced to not only provide security to Heads of States at the funeral but also to reinforce the SADC contingents in Kinshasa and Lubumbashi.[16] Namibia was also the first foreign country to withdraw its troops and by September 2001 all Namibian soldiers had been withdrawn.[17] Seven soldiers who have been missing in action have since been declared dead. The seven had gone missing around the Deya River close to Kabalo, Deya-Katutu, and Lusambo areas.[18] 137 soldiers that had survived the encirclement during the siege of Ikela were presented with commendation medals.[19]
UN deployments
- UNAMIC - The army deployed a company-sized unit to UNAMIC.[1]
- United Nations Angola Verification Mission III (UNAVEM III)
- MONUA
- United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL)
For the peacekeeping operation in Liberia the Namibian Army contribution was known as Namibian Battalion (NAMBATT) and about 800 infantry troops per NAMBATT contingent were mustered to form a battalion for this operation. Troops were rotated and rotations numbered up to NAMBATT V. A NAMBATT contingent commanding officer stated his unit was to comprise "two Mot Inf Coys, two rifle companies, headquarters company, and fire support company while the battalion is equipped with 10 Wolf APC's, 12 Casspir APC's and 11 WER Wolf APC's".[20]
Remove ads
The standard operational units are structured according to the British commonwealth system:[21]
Air Defence Corps
Artillery Corps
Infantry Corps
Based in Windhoek
- 12 Motorised Infantry Brigade[26]
- 124 Battalion
- 125 Battalion
Based at Walvis Bay[27]
- 126 Battalion
- 26 Motorised Infantry Brigade[29]
- 261 Motorized Infantry Battalion[30]
Based in Rundu. The commanding officer is Lt Col Liyali Given Numwa who succeeded Lt Col David Diyeve.[29]
- 262 Motorized Infantry Battalion
Based in Katima Mulilo. Previous commanding officers include Erastus Kashopola.
- 263 Motorized Infantry Battalion
Based at Oshakati.[31] The current commanding officer is Lt Col Wesley Muruko. Previous commanding officers included Erastus Kashopola and Colonel Abed Mukumangeni.
Engineer Corps
Logistics Formation
Provost Corps
- Military Police Battalion
Recce Formation
- Recce Regiment[33]
Signals Corps
Training Corps
- Army Battle School (Namibia) Oshivelo
Based at the former Oshivelo SADF training base, transformed into an army battle school. The commandant of the battle school is Colonel H. Mvula who succeeded Colonel Joel Kapala [34] as-off 6 January 2015, Colonel Kapala succeed Colonel Kashindi Eusebi Kashindi.[35]
- Technical Training Centre (TTC)[36]
The Army TTC offers training to army soldiers covering mechanics and electrical configurations of armaments, military weapons, and equipment[37]
- School of Artillery
Based at the Oluno Military Base, the school is responsible for the training requirement of all soldiers specializing to become artillery gunners.[38] Lt Col Ambrosius Kwedhi is the commandant of the School.
Remove ads
Army commander
The position of Army commander is held by a commissioned officer with the rank of major general. The Army Commander exercises the overall command of the Army. The current Army commander is Major General Matheus Alueendo.
- 1990-2000 Maj-Gen Solomon Huwala
- 2000-2005 Maj-Gen Martin Shalli
- 2005-2011 Maj-Gen Peter Nambundunga
- 2011-2013 Maj-Gen John Mutwa
- 2013-2017 Maj-Gen Tomas Hamunyela
- 2017-2019 Maj-Gen Nestor Shali Shalauda
- 2019–2022 Maj-Gen Matheus Alueendo
- 2022–present Maj-Gen Aktofel Nambahu
Senior Appointments
| Sleeve insignia | Appointment | Rank and Name |
|---|---|---|
 | Army Commander | Major General Aktofel Nambahu |
 | Deputy Army Commander | Brigadier General Andreas Diyeve |
| General Officer Commanding 21 Motorised Infantry Brigade | Brigadier General Johannes Shimweetheleni |
| General Officer Commanding 12 Motorised Infantry Brigade | Brigadier General |
| General Officer Commanding 26 Motorised Infantry Brigade | Brigadier General Paulus Iipinge |
| General Officer Commanding 4 Artillery Brigade | Brigadier General |
| General Officer Commanding Air Defence Brigade | Brigadier General Patrick Owen Orange |
Remove ads
Small arms
.jpg)
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg)
.jpg)
Anti-tank weapons
| Name | Image | Type | Origin | Caliber | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B-10[citation needed] |  |
Recoilless rifle |  Soviet Union |
82mm | |
| 9M133 Kornet[43] |  |
Anti-tank missile |  Russia |
Vehicles
Vehicles of the Namibian Army are made up of a variety of suppliers including those from the former Soviet Union, Russia, Brazil, & South Africa. Some vehicles were donated by SWAPO, formerly a liberation movement which later became the ruling party of the country at independence, and SWATF, the security force of the then South West Africa administration. The army has received WZ523 Infantry Fighting Vehicles from China which serve with mechanized infantry units. These vehicles are supplemented by the Namibian made Wolf series of MRAPs. South African made Casspirs are also in service which were inherited from the South-West Africa Territorial Force. To enhance mobility it was announced that the Army will receive the Agrale Marruá which appeared at the 25th Independence celebration parade in 2015 and are primarily used by the Namibian Special Forces.[44]
Tanks
| Name | Image | Type | Origin | Quantity | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T-54 |  |
Medium tank | Soviet Union |
7[45] |
Scout cars
| Name | Image | Type | Origin | Quantity | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BRDM-2 | _owned_by_James_Stewart_pic7.JPG) |
Amphibious armored scout car |  Soviet Union |
12[46] |
Armored personnel carriers
| Name | Image | Type | Origin | Quantity | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BTR-60 |  |
Amphibious Armored personnel carrier | Soviet Union |
10[47] | ||
| WZ-523 | |
Armored personnel carrier |  China |
21[48] | Armed with 2A28 Grom.[49] |
Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected
| Name | Image | Type | Origin | Quantity | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wer'wolf MKII |  |
MRAP | Namibia |
400[50] | ||
| Casspir | .jpg) |
MRAP |  South Africa South Africa |
20[46] |
Utility vehicles
| Name | Image | Type | Origin | Quantity | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agrale Marruá |  |
Light Utility Vehicle |  Brazil |
141[44] | Being assembled locally. | |
| Toyota Hilux |  |
Utility vehicle |  Japan |
Unknown | ||
| Toyota Land Cruiser | .jpg) |
Utility vehicle |  Japan |
Unknown | ||
| Dongfeng EQ2050 | .jpg) |
Utility Vehicle | China |
|||
| Trucks | ||||||
| Ural-375 |  |
Utility Truck | Soviet Union |
Unknown | ||
| Ural-4320 |  |
Utility Truck | Russia |
183[51] | Delivered in October 2015. | |
| MAN KAT1 |  |
Utility Truck |  West Germany |
Unknown | ||
| XC2200 | .jpg) |
Utility Truck | China |
Unknown | ||
| Steyr 91 |  |
Utility Truck |  Austria |
Unknown | ||
| SAMIL 100 | .jpg) |
Utility Truck | South Africa Germany |
160[12] | Donated by South Africa in the late 1990s.
With German Motors | |
Artillery
Artillery is also dominated by Soviet-era weapons, also donated by SWAPO. They have been supplemented by 24 G2 artillery donated by South Africa.[52]
| Name | Image | Type | Origin | Quantity | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rocket artillery | ||||||
| BM-21 Grad | .jpg) |
Multiple rocket launcher | Soviet Union |
5[45] | ||
| PHL-81 |  |
Multiple rocket launcher | China |
|||
| Type 63 multiple rocket launcher |  |
Multiple rocket launcher | China |
|||
| Field artillery | ||||||
| ZiS-2 |  |
Anti-tank gun | Soviet Union |
6[42] | ||
| ZiS-3 | _001.jpg) |
Field gun | Soviet Union |
12[47] | ||
| QF-25 |  |
Howitzer |  United Kingdom |
8[45] | ||
| G2 |  |
Howitzer | United Kingdom South Africa |
24[48] | ||
Anti aircraft weapons
Air defence equipment of the Army is also made up of Soviet-era weaponry.
| Name | Image | Type | Origin | Quantity | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZPU-4 |  |
Anti-aircraft gun | Soviet Union |
40[47] | ||
| ZU-23-2 |  |
Autocannon | Soviet Union |
12[47] | ||
| 9K32 Strela-2 |  |
MANPADS | Soviet Union |
[53] |
The Army commandos and airborne paratroopers are part of the Namibian Special Forces.
Army ranks are based on Commonwealth ranks. The highest rank in peace time a commissioned officer can attain in the army is major general. There may, however, be an exception when an army officer is appointed as Chief of the Defence Force, for which the individual will ascend to the lieutenant general. The highest rank an enlisted member can attain is warrant officer class 1.
Commissioned officer ranks
The rank insignia of commissioned officers.
| Rank group | General / flag officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Namibian Army[54] |
 |
 |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 | ||||||||||||||
| General | Lieutenant general | Major general | Brigadier general | Colonel | Lieutenant colonel | Major | Captain | Lieutenant | Second lieutenant | |||||||||||||||
Other ranks
The rank insignia of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel.
| Rank group | Senior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Enlisted | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Namibian Army[54] |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
No insignia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Warrant officer class 1 | Warrant officer class 2 | Staff sergeant | Sergeant | Corporal | Lance corporal | Private (or equivalent) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Wikiwand in your browser!
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.
Every time you click a link to Wikipedia, Wiktionary or Wikiquote in your browser's search results, it will show the modern Wikiwand interface.
Wikiwand extension is a five stars, simple, with minimum permission required to keep your browsing private, safe and transparent.
Remove ads