South African 2020 Armed Forces Day

Armed Forces Day is in remembrance of 600 soldiers that died in the sinking of the SS Mendi and all those who have died in armed conflicts representing South Africa

- Trevor Cohen

This year the ceremony was held at the Roodewaal Weapons practice range approximately 40 km’s north of Polokwane.

Remembrance Day is held in conjunction with the army parade which this year was held in Polokwane hence the use of the Roodewal Range.

All the branches of South Africa’s defence force were represented although the lack of water and size of the range meant there was a limitation on the type of weapons used and that the Navy was unable to participate this year. Each year sees a different venue and this has an affect on the display of different weapons and on armed services. Military representatives from a number of countries were present, including Australia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Argentina,

Mexico, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. The event started off with Sand attempting an attack on a terrorist base. A parachute drop of Special Ops and Pathfinder troops are first in as they recon the base and have medical personal on the ground for the main forces who will then join them later. Unnoticed the snipers move in and they attacked their targets with the interchangeable barrel 12.75mm and 14.5mm sniper weapon developed by Denel.

The army proceeded to show its mobility with a display of special forces vehicles with the Hornet Mk1 moving in first. These vehicles can be configured to seven different platforms. The eight-wheeled Gecko Rapid Deploy Logistic 3+ vehicle used by airborne forces, demonstrated its capability as an amphibious craft able to move 1.2 tons on vehicle and trailer. Both the Gecko and Hornet can be deployed by parachute.