Scientia Militaria - South African Journal of Military Studies

Editorial

2026-03-20T13:35:40+00:00

Observations from the Russo-Ukrainian War

2026-03-20T13:35:41+00:00

A number of key observations affecting military logistics taken from the Russo–Ukrainian War carry important implications for logistic operations in Southern Africa. Despite these two areas of operations being quite dissimilar at a number of levels (i.e. geographically, climatically and politically), these have distinct implications, and the aim of this article is to outline five principal observations. Briefly stated, these are the use and evolution of uncrewed aerial systems and their role as surveillance and weapons platforms; the elongation of the so-called “last logistic mile”; the denial of airspace; the strategic importance of medical support; and the increasing presence of civilian contractors in the battlespace. This article will reflect on the importance of these observations, and highlight their importance in operational logistic planning in a future Southern African battlespace. Military logistic planners within South African Development Community (SADC) militaries should note and apply these observations to their own specific circumstances.

South African Military Logistics

2026-03-20T14:09:33+00:00

During peacetime, the South African military has experienced cyclical neglect to the detriment of its ability and readiness to conduct and sustain expeditionary operations. Since the South African democratic transition, this pattern of neglect manifested again, which left the military largely unprepared for interventions and expanding involvement in peace operations in Africa since the late 1990s. The aim of the study on which this article reports, was to provide a contextual understanding of logistics as a strategic variable for the South African military, with specific reference to logistics related to expeditionary operations. Within this context, logistics is considered an important indicator of the functionality of a defence organisation. In the post-1994 period in South Africa, various dichotomies emerged between the political ideals of the ruling party pertaining to foreign policy, economics and development on the one hand, and the limitations that government placed on the South African National Defence Force in terms of its roles, funding and deployment, on the other. The paradigmatic tension between the design principles of the logistic system of the defence force and the predominant political thinking in government is discussed. Within the military context, the influence of leadership, old paradigms and legacy equipment on logistics and finances receives attention. The restructuring of the defence force in the late 1990s and the disruptive influence thereof on procurement systems and generic logistic functions, is covered. It is argued that the military has not undergone the necessary doctrinal innovation or reforms to promote efficiency, accountability and effectiveness within the domain of logistics for expeditionary operations.

Decoding South African National Defence Force Logistics

2026-03-20T14:11:20+00:00

The study on which this article is based, examined the challenges of providing interdependent and joint sustainment capabilities to joint and expeditionary forces operating in the African battle space. It is argued that reforms to the prevailing sustainment concept are needed to address these challenges, focussing on operationalising interdependent and joint sustainment capabilities with a responsive logistical infrastructure, simultaneous deployment, employment and sustainment capabilities, and a single, integrated, responsive end-to-end distribution system. The article commences by reflecting a conceptual framework, defining logistics, providing a historical reflection on logistics in the South African military, and examining the nature of the African battle space. It considers the influence of the Border War, the post-apartheid evolution of the South African National Defence Force, and its involvement in peace support operations. The unique and complex demands of the African battle space are also highlighted. Ultimately, two strategic options for optimising joint sustainment and supply chain management in the South African National Defence Force are suggested: centralised functional authority with decentralised execution, or complete decentralisation of logistics functions. Phased quick wins to enhance operational autonomy, efficiency and interoperability, including developing first-line capabilities, standardising commodities, and implementing an integrated, automated and digitised supply chain management system, are proposed. The strategy integrates lean supply chain principles, performance-based logistics, and velocity management to ensure long-term sustainability and effectiveness.

South African Navy Expeditionary Operations in the Southern Ocean

2026-03-20T13:35:42+00:00

The South African maritime relation with the Southern Ocean dates back to the earliest voyages of discovery. Cape Town provided a logistical staging point for mariners on their expeditions further south where a number of isolated islands are situated in one of the most inhospitable and stormy oceans in the world. The strategic importance of the Prince Edward Islands was considered after the Second World War, and the Union Defence Force was tasked to annex the two uninhabited islands. The equipment and expertise of the South African Naval Forces provided the most effective way to reach the desolate islands in the Southern Ocean. The Navy continued to provide a regular service to the weather stations on Marion and Gough Island, until the Department of Transport acquired its first dedicated polar research and supply ship. The Navy however continued to undertake mercy dashes south, to uplift critically sick patients or to conduct search and rescue operations. Developments in maritime aviation provided the South African Air Force with new capabilities to support the Navy in such operations. Larger vessels, such as the hydrographic survey vessel SAS Protea (from 1972) and the logistical supply vessel SAS Drakensberg (from 1987), were well suited to conduct operations independently, and made several voyages south. From 1993, the capable supply vessel SAS Outeniqua made eight round-trip voyages to Antarctica to assist the construction of the new SANAE IV base. The frequency of Navy operations to the Southern Ocean and Antarctica diminished significantly during the last 20 years, in part due to the addition of dedicated vessels operated by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Department of Environmental Affairs.

Lessons Learnt During the South African Early Deployment in International Peacekeeping Operations

2026-03-20T13:35:43+00:00

Since the establishment of democracy in South Africa in 1994, it was only a matter of time before South Africa and the South African National Defence Force would participate in international peace missions. When this occurred in 1999, the defence force, particularly the staff at the Joint Operations Division, was largely unprepared for such a deployment, requiring personnel to adapt rapidly – amidst institutional changes as part of democratic reforms, and the restructuring of command and logistical frameworks. The deployment in support of the United Nations mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo presented numerous challenges that had to be addressed for a successful outcome. The study on which the article is based, examined these challenges and the planning measures of the Joint Operations Division staff employed to overcome them. These strategies were recorded and used for future deployments. The study focussed on the personal experience of the author while serving as a member of the Joint Operations Division staff.

Adapting and Managing Logistics for Expeditionary Forces in Africa

2026-03-20T13:35:43+00:00

The study on which this article is based, examined the approach adopted by the private military company, Executive Outcomes, to adapt, manage, and position its logistical requirements for sustainable offensive, defensive and containment operations in Africa. The logistical approach and doctrine of the pre-1994 South African Defence Force, despite its efficacy, was inadequate to ensure the force sustainment requirements of Executive Outcomes. Incorporating numerous lessons learned from the operations of the South African Defence Force in Angola, as well as engagements by Executive Outcomes in Angola (1993–1996), Sierra Leone (1995–1996), Uganda (1996), and Indonesia (1996), several adaptions were required to support and sustain operations in Africa, including the 72 Mobile Strike Force operations by the Nigerian Army against Boko Haram – a violent Islamist group – in 2014–2015. This deployment covered a distance of approximately 7 500 kilometres from the home base of Executive Outcomes in South Africa. The 72 Mobile Strike Force comprised both Nigerian Army members and private military contractors, and operated as an independent and self-contained unit. As the spearhead of the operations by the 7 Infantry Division of the Nigerian Army across Borno State, the approach of the strike force along with its logistics doctrine contained numerous lessons learned by Executive Outcomes in Angola and across other theatres of conflict and war.

The Art of War and Peace: Understanding Our Choices in a World at War

2026-03-20T13:35:44+00:00

The Art of War and Peace: Understanding Our Choices in a World at War by David Kilcullen and Greg Mills, Cape Town: Random House South Africa, 2024, 320 pages, ISBN 978-1-776-39185-1.

Professionals Talk Logistics: Sustaining Strategy and Operations

2026-03-20T13:35:44+00:00

Professionals Talk Logistics: Sustaining Strategy and Operations edited by Jon Klug and Steve Leonard, Hampshire: Howgate, 2025, 210 pages, ISBN 978-1-9124-4067-2.

War of Intervention in Angola, Volume 5: Angolan and Cuban Air Forces, 1987–1992

2026-03-20T13:35:44+00:00

War of Intervention in Angola, Volume 5: Angolan and Cuban Air Forces, 1987–1992 by Adrien Fontanellaz, Tom Cooper and José Augusto Matos, Warwick: Helion, 2023, 76 pages, ISBN 978-1-9150-7055-5.

Handbook of Military Sciences

2026-03-20T13:35:44+00:00

Handbook of Military Sciences edited by Anders McD Sookermany, Cham: Springer, 2025, 48 chapters, ISBN 978-3-0300-2866-4.

Point of Failure: British Brigadiers in France and Norway 1940

2026-03-20T13:35:44+00:00

Point of Failure: British Brigadiers in France and Norway 1940 by Philip McCarty, Warwick: Helion, 2025, 228 pages, ISBN 978-1-8045-1427-6.

The book, Point of Failure: British Brigadiers in France and Norway 1940, is the output of a doctoral thesis and maintains the academic structure in its published format. The content, however, is the culmination of years of military experience and academic labour, representing a unique insider view of the British Army. The study reported here makes a unique contribution by using a modern analytical technique, namely social network analysis, in a historical context.