On June 2, 2025, the Namibian Defence Force (NDF) marked its 35th anniversary with a parade at Grootfontein Air Base, unveiling several new military assets.
Among them was the Milkor Bushcat, a 4×4 armoured personnel carrier (APC) produced by the South African company Milkor. The vehicle first appeared publicly in February 2025 at the state funeral of Namibia’s Founding President, Sam Nujoma. During the parade, four Bushcats were equipped with remotely operated machine guns, and one included an electro-optical surveillance system. All were fitted with antennas, indicating potential use in command, control, or electronic warfare roles.
The Bushcat is constructed on an Iveco truck chassis, chosen for its straightforward maintenance and readily available parts. It meets NATO STANAG Level 3A and 3B standards for blast protection, able to endure an 8 kg anti-tank mine blast under its hull or wheels. It also offers Level 2 ballistic protection against small arms fire and shrapnel, including 7.62×39mm API rounds. Weighing 12,000 kg, the vehicle accommodates two crew members and eight passengers, with a top speed of 110 km/h and a range of 1,000 km. Designed for versatility, the Bushcat’s modular setup supports various functions, such as troop transport, police riot control, command operations, border monitoring, and field ambulance duties.
According to Milkor, the BushCat redefines all-terrain capability, delivering unmatched performance and protection in the most demanding environments. Engineered for versatility, the BushCat offers configurations to meet any operational requirement, ensuring it adapts seamlessly to your mission needs. Its modular design allows for effortless customisation, making it a cost-effective solution for large-scale deployments.
Milkor first unveiled the Bushcat alongside other line-up of latest armoured vehicles and upgraded grenade launchers at the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2024 exhibition. The highlight of Milkor’s showcase includes the debut of the Vanguard MRAP, the 6×6 Frontier, and the BushCat APC.
This 13.5-ton vehicle offers a balance between high-level protection and operational efficiency, making it a cost-effective solution for military and peacekeeping operations. The BushCat is designed for rugged terrain and infantry transport, providing robust protection for its occupants. It meets STANAG 3A and 3B blast protection standards and offers Level 2 ballistic protection. The vehicle can accommodate both manned and unmanned turrets.
It can be equipped with either manned or unmanned turrets to adapt to different mission needs. Milkor first presented the Bushcat at the 2024 Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) exhibition, alongside its Vanguard MRAP and 6×6 Frontier models. The parade also displayed other NDF equipment. This included Brazilian Agrale Marrua vehicles, acquired in 2015 and armed with 7.62 mm machine guns, as well as Toyota Land Cruisers with similar weaponry. Chinese WZ-523 infantry fighting vehicles, obtained around 2015, were shown alongside locally built Wolf APCs. Others include two types of Chinese UAVs.
Additional assets included Chinese Dongfeng EQ2050 vehicles—based on the U.S. HMMWV design—carrying light artillery, BM-21 rocket launchers, towed howitzers, and South African RG32 APCs, purchased in 2017 and fitted with remotely operated machine guns. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah spoke at the event, emphasising the NDF’s development into a force equipped for modern challenges. She pointed to Namibia’s involvement in peacekeeping efforts, including missions in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique (via the Southern African Development Community), and South Sudan (under the United Nations).
She also mentioned upcoming joint training with the Botswana Defence Force and stressed the importance of modernisation to ensure the NDF remains effective both domestically and regionally. The Milkor Bushcat’s debut highlights Namibia’s focus on updating its military capabilities with practical, regionally sourced equipment. Its design supports the country’s needs, from securing borders to contributing to peacekeeping operations, reflecting a steady approach to strengthening the NDF.