The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is facing a significant challenge as it seeks to modernize its fleet of Samil trucks, a project critical for maintaining the operational readiness of its forces. The ambitious plan to replace the ageing fleet with new-generation support vehicles by 2030 is under threat due to severe funding constraints.
Armscor, the state defence materiel agency, has been at the forefront of Project Phalama, which aims to procure new vehicles to replace the outdated Samil trucks. The project, estimated at R13 billion, was scheduled to begin production in June 2025, with a completion target of March 2030. However, the lack of allocated funds on the Strategic Capital Acquisition Master Plan (SCAMP) has put the project at “high risk,” according to Armscor’s presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans (PCDMV).
The current fleet, maintained by Cuban technicians under Project Thusano, has seen around 6,000 vehicles repaired and refurbished since 2015. Despite these efforts, the trucks face obsolescence challenges, and without a timely replacement, the SANDF’s capabilities could be significantly compromised.
In a proactive move, Armscor issued a request for information (RFI) in December 2018 for Project Phalama, seeking a broad range of vehicle replacement options, including new vehicles or upgrades. The RFI attracted interest from several companies, indicating a competitive market for military vehicle procurement.
The SANDF’s reliance on the Samil trucks for logistics is well-documented, with the fleet playing a crucial role in exercises such as “Exercise Vuk’uhlome” in August 2023. The resuscitation of inoperable military vehicles by technical service personnel at De Brug, Army Base outside Bloemfontein, showcased the SANDF’s commitment to maintaining its fleet despite financial hurdles.
In 2022, the collaboration with Cuban military specialists resulted in the refurbishment and repair of over 10,000 vehicles, including Mamba personnel carriers and Mfezi ambulances, This effort, which cost over R277 million, highlights the SANDF’s commitment to maintaining its existing fleet.
As the SANDF continues its search for new armoured personnel carriers (APCs) to enhance border patrol capabilities, Over a dozen local companies received invitations from Armscor to submit their APCs for testing and functional evaluation along the border in October last year.
More recently, the SANDF has acquired six SVI MAX 3 armoured vehicles and various surveillance equipment to enhance its border security operations. The vehicles and equipment are part of a multi-year plan to upgrade the SANDF’s capabilities and resources for border protection.
The six SVI MAX 3 armoured vehicles were delivered to the Joint Operations division of the SANDF earlier this month. Two of them are 4×4 and four are six-wheeled versions, fitted with rear cargo cabins on the loadbed.