Department Of Defence

The Department of Defence is the South African government department responsible for the country's military and defence policy. Its mandate includes the administration, command and control of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), which comprises the army, navy, air force and military health service. The department is headquartered in Pretoria and operates under the authority of the Minister of Defence, who reports to Parliament and Cabinet. Key functions include national security planning, defence procurement, military training, peacekeeping operations, and border security. The department works closely with the Armaments Corporation of South Africa (Armscor), the state-owned entity responsible for defence materiel acquisition and technology development. It also coordinates with National Treasury on defence budgets and with other government departments on matters of national security and cybersecurity. The department plays a significant role in South Africa's defence industry, supporting advanced manufacturing and skills development through procurement programmes and partnerships with small, medium and micro enterprises. It has been involved in regional peacekeeping missions across Africa and contributes to continental security initiatives. The department was established in its current form following South Africa's transition to democracy in 1994, integrating the former apartheid-era defence structures with liberation movement forces.