South African Army Commander's Intent
June 2008

Chief of the SA Army, Lieutenant General S.Z. Shoke

The South African Army provides to the Chief of the South African National Defence Force a combat-ready land force component of a full spectrum-capable, joint, expeditionary force. This force has a campaign quality and is optimised for fighting in complex environments.

The South African Army fulfils its role as an essential instrument of national power. As such it can be integrated into an intergovernmental, interdepartmental and interagency system which ensures synergy and focus of effort.

The following, which underpin the above, are not negotiable:

People are the South African Army’s most valuable asset

• The South African Army’s future will not be determined by brilliant systems, the latest equipment, the best business processes and the like, but by high quality, professional, dedicated and loyal people who take pride in their work and who are willing to serve and sacrifice beyond the call of duty. Such people are the result of focused recruitment, rigorous selection and a career-management system that ensures that only the best people are developed and maintained to lead the army of today, tomorrow and after tomorrow.

The South African Army is structured for its mandate

• The South African Army is an agile, balanced, flexible and cohesive force with rapidly deployable capabilities, and structured to execute both force preparation and operations at the tactical level of war. Its force design makes it suitable to engage in conventional and operations other than war as well as to contribute to socio-economic upliftment and skills development.

South African Army forces are sustained during peace, conflict and war up to the third line

• The South African Army support system is a flexible and agile system. It is capable of supporting high-intensity manoeuvre operations for short periods of time and expeditionary operations over protracted periods of time, using multiple supply lines to non-contiguous areas with no secure rear areas.
• The support systems are appropriately networked, computerised and fully integrated into the C4I3RS systems, both during peace and war. This capability ensures asset visibility, situational awareness and enhances decision-making as well as an anticipative and pre-emptive support system.
• The logistic system reduces response times, reduces the logistical footprint and reduces the logistical infrastructure that in turn enhances the flexibility and agility of South African Army fighting forces.

The South African Army trains as it fights

• The SA Army has an appropriate and cost-effective army force preparation system, based on contemporary doctrine and TTPs (tactics, techniques and procedures). Realistic individual and force training enables the provision of dynamically led, combat-ready land forces capable of conducting successful operations across the full spectrum of conflict.
• The SA Army is led by well-trained, educated, and visionary leaders who are capable of dealing successfully with issues that are complex, uncertain and volatile during the execution of their command.
•  Future doctrine and Tactics Techniques and Procedures direct the modernisation programme of the SA Army.

The South African Army’s equipment and technology are optimised for the African battle space

• The South African Army is a balanced, modern, affordable and appropriate technologically advanced military force, capable of executing all missions effectively and efficiently. Investments in equipment and technology provide South African Army forces with the ability to outperform their opponents in both human and material systems.

The South African Army’s facilities support its core business

• The facilities of the South African Army portray its professionalism and serve the purpose of creating trust and pride within the community as well as with its serving members and their families.
• The facilities of the South African Army are strategically placed throughout South Africa. Units are not only located in accordance with appreciated operational needs and requirements, but are also in close proximity to force projection infrastructure that enhances training requirements. Facilities are tailor-made to support the specific types of forces they house.

The South African Army is future-focused, concept-driven and capabilities-based

• The South African Army continuously positions itself to remain relevant and ready to engage successfully in future challenges.

“The South African Army selects the best people, places them in the right posts and presents realistic training to prepare its soldiers for what they are going to be confronted with during battle”