Namibian Army

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.

File:Wer'wolf MKII.png on 20 March 2015 during Namibia's Independence celebrations]]

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."{{cite web|url=http://www.mod.gov.na/pages/policy_army.html|title=Ministry of Defence|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170125142105/http://www.mod.gov.na/pages/policy_army.html|archive-date=25 January 2017|df=dmy-all}}

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.

File:Ural Logistics Truck.png

{{See also|Caprivi conflict}}

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.{{cite web |url=http://www.mod.gov.na/archive/n_archive.htm |title=News |website=www.mod.gov.na |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061005060255/http://www.mod.gov.na/archive/n_archive.htm |archive-date=5 October 2006 |url-status=dead}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.irinnews.org/report/32530/namibia-convoy-system-suspended-in-caprivi|title=Convoy system suspended in Caprivi|date=2002-06-17|work=IRIN|access-date=2017-07-13|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120075658/http://www.irinnews.org/report/32530/namibia-convoy-system-suspended-in-caprivi|archive-date=20 November 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}

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.{{Cite news|url=http://www.irinnews.org/report/21536/namibia-namibian-troops-pursue-bandits-in-southern-angola|title=Namibian troops pursue bandits in southern Angola|date=2001-05-23|work=IRIN|access-date=2017-07-13|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120072827/http://www.irinnews.org/report/21536/namibia-namibian-troops-pursue-bandits-in-southern-angola|archive-date=20 November 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} At least two soldiers were killed in operation Mandume ya Ndemufayo.{{Cite news|url=http://www.irinnews.org/report/24582/namibia-defence-ministry-admits-to-deaths-against-unita|title=Defence ministry admits to deaths against UNITA|date=2001-08-06|work=IRIN|access-date=2017-07-13|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120052518/http://www.irinnews.org/report/24582/namibia-defence-ministry-admits-to-deaths-against-unita|archive-date=20 November 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} 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.{{Cite news|url=http://www.irinnews.org/report/18237/namibia-ndf-hails-angolan-operations-as-a-success|title=NDF hails Angolan operations as a success|date=2001-02-21|work=IRIN|access-date=2017-07-13|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120043233/http://www.irinnews.org/report/18237/namibia-ndf-hails-angolan-operations-as-a-success|archive-date=20 November 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} In a joint operation with the Angolan Armed Forces, the Namibian Defence Force in May 2001 helped dislodge UNITA from Mavinga in May 2001.{{Cite news|url=http://www.irinnews.org/report/21270/namibia-ndf-claims-major-victory-against-unita|title=NDF claims major victory against UNITA|date=2001-05-17|work=IRIN|access-date=2017-07-13|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120052906/http://www.irinnews.org/report/21270/namibia-ndf-claims-major-victory-against-unita|archive-date=20 November 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}

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.{{Cite web|title=Hard Stone Processing Namibia: James V. Auala|url=http://www.namibia-seber-diamonds.com/home/about-us/our-founders/james-v-auala/|access-date=2021-07-24|website=www.namibia-seber-diamonds.com}}{{Cite web|url=http://ospiti.peacelink.it/bukavu/rs/CON9_23.html|title = Converted from "CON9.TXT"}} About 30 Namibian Serviceman died in the DRC operations.{{Cite news|url=http://www.irinnews.org/report/25872/namibia-troops-home-from-drc|title=Troops home from DRC|date=2001-09-04|work=IRIN|access-date=2017-07-13|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120070359/http://www.irinnews.org/report/25872/namibia-troops-home-from-drc|archive-date=20 November 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} 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.{{cite web |url=http://digital.unam.na/bitstream/handle/11070.1/883/nelumbu_regional_2011.pdf?sequence=1 |title=Archived copy |website=digital.unam.na |access-date=14 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630221329/http://digital.unam.na/bitstream/handle/11070.1/883/nelumbu_regional_2011.pdf?sequence=1 |archive-date=30 June 2015 |url-status=dead}} 11 Namibian soldiers were held as prisoners of war in Rwanda, they were released in June 2000.{{Cite news|url=http://www.irinnews.org/report/15877/namibia-ndf-captives-may-be-released-on-friday|title=NDF captives may be released on Friday|date=2000-06-16|work=IRIN|access-date=2017-07-13|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120044538/http://www.irinnews.org/report/15877/namibia-ndf-captives-may-be-released-on-friday|archive-date=20 November 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} The soldiers were captured in April 1999 in the Lusambo area which is about 120 kilometers east of Mbuji-Mayi.{{Cite news|url=http://www.irinnews.org/report/9422/namibia-icrc-visits-ndf-prisoners|title=ICRC visits NDF prisoners|date=1999-09-30|work=IRIN|access-date=2017-07-13|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120042412/http://www.irinnews.org/report/9422/namibia-icrc-visits-ndf-prisoners|archive-date=20 November 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} 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.{{Cite news|url=http://www.irinnews.org/report/17097/namibia-more-troops-sent-to-drc|title=More troops sent to DRC|date=2001-01-25|work=IRIN|access-date=2017-07-13|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120052246/http://www.irinnews.org/report/17097/namibia-more-troops-sent-to-drc|archive-date=20 November 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} Namibia was also the first foreign country to withdraw its troops and by September 2001 all Namibian soldiers had been withdrawn.{{Cite news|url=http://www.irinnews.org/report/23239/drc-namibia-to-withdraw-all-troops-by-end-of-august|title=Namibia to withdraw all troops by end of August|date=2001-07-13|work=IRIN|access-date=2017-07-13|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120051219/http://www.irinnews.org/report/23239/drc-namibia-to-withdraw-all-troops-by-end-of-august|archive-date=20 November 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} 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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.namibian.com.na/archive19982004/2003/January/national/03ABB7D2A5.html?highlight=namibia+seven+soldiers+missing+in+drc+declared+dead|title=Seven soldiers missing in DRC declared dead|last=Newspaper|first=The Namibian|website=www.namibian.com.na|access-date=2017-07-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427204554/http://www.namibian.com.na/archive19982004/2003/January/national/03ABB7D2A5.html?highlight=namibia+seven+soldiers+missing+in+drc+declared+dead|archive-date=27 April 2016|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} 137 soldiers that had survived the encirclement during the siege of Ikela were presented with commendation medals.{{Cite web|title=President remains hopeful on DRC|url=https://www.namibian.com.na/archive19982004/2000/March/News/hopeful.html|access-date=2021-07-24|website=www.namibian.com.na}} The siege at Ikela claimed the lives of 5 Soldiers and many other wounded.https://old.namibian.com.na/archive19982004/2000/January/News/mourn.html

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• UNAMIC - The army deployed a company-sized unit to UNAMIC.
• 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".{{cite web|url=http://www.theperspective.org/2004/june/namibianpeacekeepers.html|title=UN Mission In Liberia Decorates Namibian Peacekeepers|access-date=23 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130130122238/http://www.theperspective.org/2004/june/namibianpeacekeepers.html|archive-date=30 January 2013|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}

The standard operational units are structured according to the British commonwealth system:{{cite web

|title = British Army Formation & Structure

|publisher = WhoDaresWins.com

|year = 2011

|url = http://www.whodareswins.com/british-army-formation-structure-setup.html

|access-date = 15 April 2011

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110429010016/http://www.whodareswins.com/british-army-formation-structure-setup.html

|archive-date = 29 April 2011

|url-status = live

|df = dmy-all

}}

File:Namibian army WZ-523 IFV.png

Air Defence Corps

• Air Defence Brigade

Artillery Corps

• 4 Artillery Brigade
• 12 Artillery Regiment
• 44 Artillery Regiment{{cite journal |last=Tomas|first=M |title=Inauguration of 21 Inf Bde Commander |journal=NDF Journal |volume=41 |date=July 2011|page=4}}
• 46 Artillery Regiment
• 21 Artillery Regimenthttp://www.mod.gov.na/pdfs/oct-dec%202013.pdf{{dead link|date=February 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
• 26 Artillery Regiment

Infantry Corps

• 21 Motorised Infantry Brigade
• 21 Guard Battalion{{Cite web |url=http://www.mof.gov.na/documents/27827/235390/BRM+Estimates+2015-2016/bbee3cb8-1cfb-4d9e-a172-deb14950840b |title=Archived copy |access-date=7 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921070501/http://www.mof.gov.na/documents/27827/235390/BRM+Estimates+2015-2016/bbee3cb8-1cfb-4d9e-a172-deb14950840b |archive-date=21 September 2016 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}
• 211 Battalion{{Cite web|url=https://www.newera.com.na/2014/07/22/trigger-happy-soldier-in-court/|title=Trigger-happy soldier in court|date=2014-07-22|website=New Era Newspaper Namibia|access-date=2017-07-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304082726/http://www.newera.com.na/2014/07/22/trigger-happy-soldier-in-court/|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}
• 212 Battalion
• 213 Mechanized Infantry Battalion

Based in Windhoek

• 12 Motorised Infantry Brigade{{cite journal |last=Dumeni|first=R |title=12 Mot int Bde Hosted computer course for trainers |journal=NDF Journal |volume=49 |date=September 2011|page=7}}
• 124 Battalion
• 125 Battalion

Based at Walvis Bay{{Cite web|url=http://www.informante.web.na/node/8182|title=NDF Majors rapped over illegal use of truck {{!}} Informante|website=www.informante.web.na|access-date=2017-07-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120050921/http://www.informante.web.na/node/8182|archive-date=20 November 2015|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}

• 126 Battalion

Based in Gobabis.{{cite journal |last=Tomas|first=M |title=Mighty Scorpions Sport tournament |journal=NDF Journal |volume=46 |date=December 2013|page=10}}

• 26 Motorised Infantry Brigade{{cite journal |last=Tomas|first=M |title=Maj Numwa takes over 261 Mot Inf Bn reign |journal=NDF Journal |volume=54 |date=December 2014|page=16}}
• 261 Motorized Infantry Battalion{{Cite web|url=https://www.newera.com.na/2007/08/30/us-assists-ndf-training/|title=US Assists NDF Training|last=loop|date=2007-08-30|website=New Era Newspaper Namibia|access-date=2017-07-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120094542/https://www.newera.com.na/2007/08/30/us-assists-ndf-training/|archive-date=20 November 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}

Based in Rundu. The commanding officer is Lt Col Liyali Given Numwa who succeeded Lt Col David Diyeve.

• 262 Motorized Infantry Battalion

Based in Katima Mulilo. Previous commanding officers include Erastus Kashopola.

• 263 Motorized Infantry Battalion

Based at Oshakati.{{Cite news|url=http://www.namibian.com.na/indexx.php?archive_id=46729&page_type=archive_story_detail&page=3687|archive-url=https://archive.today/20151119223320/http://www.namibian.com.na/indexx.php?archive_id=46729&page_type=archive_story_detail&page=3687|url-status=dead|archive-date=2015-11-19|title=Pandeni given a hero's farewell|work=The Namibian|access-date=2017-07-13|language=en}} The current commanding officer is Lt Col Wesley Muruko. Previous commanding officers included Erastus Kashopola and Colonel Abed Mukumangeni.

Engineer Corps

• Engineer Regiment

Based in Otavi

Logistics Formation

• Logistic Support Battalion (Namibia){{Cite web|url=http://www.namibweb.com/article2.htm|title=Civil supremacy of the military {{!}} Namibia|website=www.namibweb.com|access-date=2017-07-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160628035009/http://www.namibweb.com/article2.htm|archive-date=28 June 2016|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}

Provost Corps

• Military Police Battalion

Recce Formation

• Recce Regiment{{Cite web|url=http://www.lelamobile.com/content/63038/Third-Defence-Force-Foundation-annual-sport-tourney-concludes/|title=Third Defence Force Foundation annual sport tourney concludes|last=www.omalaetiit.com|first=Omalaeti Technologies, Namibia|access-date=2017-07-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170212091108/http://www.lelamobile.com/content/63038/Third-Defence-Force-Foundation-annual-sport-tourney-concludes/|archive-date=12 February 2017|url-status=usurped|df=dmy-all}}

Signals Corps

• Signal Regiment

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 {{Cite web |url=http://www.nbc.na/news_article.php?id=14988&title=Colonel-Joel-Kapala-takes-over-as-new-Commandant-of-King-Nehale-lyaMpingana-Army-Battle-School-in-the-Oshikoto-Region |title=Namibian Broadcasting Corporation - About NBC |access-date=26 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407140504/http://www.nbc.na/news_article.php?id=14988&title=Colonel-Joel-Kapala-takes-over-as-new-Commandant-of-King-Nehale-lyaMpingana-Army-Battle-School-in-the-Oshikoto-Region |archive-date=7 April 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} as-off 6 January 2015, Colonel Kapala succeed Colonel Kashindi Eusebi Kashindi.{{cite journal |last=Shino|first=G |title=Army Battle School Commandant retires |journal=NDF Journal |volume=46 |date=December 2013|page=10}}

• Technical Training Centre (TTC){{Cite news|url=http://www.namibian.com.na/index.php?id=134213&page=archive-read|title=Army training centres open at Grootfontein|work=The Namibian|access-date=2017-07-13|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818223210/http://www.namibian.com.na/index.php?id=134213&page=archive-read|archive-date=18 August 2016|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}

The Army TTC offers training to army soldiers covering mechanics and electrical configurations of armaments, military weapons, and equipment{{Cite web|url=http://www.lelamobile.com/content/48901/Army-and-Airforce-Technical-Training-Centres-open-at-Grootfontei/|title=Army and Airforce Technical Training Centres open at Grootfontei|last=www.omalaetiit.com|first=Omalaeti Technologies, Namibia|access-date=2017-07-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806172413/http://www.lelamobile.com/content/48901/Army-and-Airforce-Technical-Training-Centres-open-at-Grootfontei/|archive-date=6 August 2016|url-status=usurped|df=dmy-all}}

• Army 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.{{Citation|last=Namibian Broadcasting Corporation|title=Artillery School-NBC|date=2016-07-31|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5fBOvkbnI0|access-date=2017-07-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818071045/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5fBOvkbnI0|archive-date=18 August 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} Lt Col Ambrosius Kwedhi is the commandant of the School.

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

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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=37339:namibia-defence-force-orders-marrua-vehicles&catid=50:Land&Itemid=105|title=Namibia Defence Force orders Marrua vehicles {{!}} defenceWeb|last=Martin|first=Guy|website=www.defenceweb.co.za|language=en-gb|access-date=2017-07-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150105132138/http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=37339:namibia-defence-force-orders-marrua-vehicles&catid=50:Land&Itemid=105|archive-date=5 January 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}

Artillery is also dominated by Chinese and Russian weapons. They have been supplemented by 24 G2 artillery donated by South Africa.{{cite web|url=http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=11274:-fact-file-south-african-arms-exports&catid=79:fact-files&Itemid=159|title=South African Arms Exports|author=Leon Engelbrecht|access-date=26 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160122185017/http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=11274:-fact-file-south-african-arms-exports&catid=79:fact-files&Itemid=159|archive-date=22 January 2016|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}

Air defence equipment of the Army is also made up of Russian and Chinese weaponry.

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.

The rank insignia of commissioned officers.

The rank insignia of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel.

{{Reflist}}

• People's Liberation Army of Namibia
• South West African Territorial Force

Category:Military of Namibia

Namibia