Home›Weapons Systems›Wars Used In›South African Border WarWarSouth African Border WarContemporaryReference and ClassificationDevelopingThe South African Border War, also known as the Namibian War of Independence and, within South Africa, sometimes as the Angolan Bush War, was a largely asymmetric conflict fought in Namibia (then South West Africa), Zambia and Angola from 26 August 1966 to 21 March 1990. It pitted the South African Defence Force, at times joined by allied Angolan and Portuguese forces, against the Peoples Liberation Army of Namibia, the armed wing of the South West African Peoples Organisation, which was in turn supported by Cuba, Angola, the Soviet Union, East Germany and Zambia. The war ended in a military stalemate that led to the 1988 Tripartite Accord, under which South African and Cuban forces withdrew from Angola, paving the way for Namibian independence elections in 1989 and formal independence on 21 March 1990. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/FactsSouth African Border WarConnectionsSourcesComments (0)Reader Challenges (0)FactsClassificationConflict TypeWell-attestedColonial or Anti-Colonial War 1Start YearWell-attested1966 1South African Border WarFilter Results32 entriesWeapon FamilyAllAir-to-Air Missiles (1)Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (1)Anti-Tank Weapons and Mines (3)Armored Cars and Reconnaissance Vehicles (1)Assault Rifles (5)Assault Rifles of Europe (3)Assault Rifles of Israel (1)Assault Rifles of the Middle East and Africa (1)General-Purpose and Medium Machine Guns (2)Grenade Launchers (2)Heavy Machine Guns (2)Infantry Fighting Vehicles and Armored Personnel Carriers (1)Light Machine Guns (1)Other Small Arms and Personal Weapons (1)Pistols and Revolvers (2)Rifles and Carbines (5)Rocket Artillery (1)Self-Propelled Artillery (1)Semi-Automatic and Battle Rifles (1)Semi-Automatic Pistols (2)Semi-Automatic Pistols of Belgium (1)Semi-Automatic Pistols of Russia and the Soviet Union (1)Submachine Guns (2)Surface-to-Air and Air Defense Missiles (4)Tanks (1)Weapon Type or ClassAllanti-tank guided missile (1)Anti-tank missile (1)Anti-tank rocket launcher (1)Armored fighting vehicle (1)Armoured car (1)Assault rifle (4)Automatic grenade launcher (1)Automatic rifle (1)Field gun / gun-howitzer (1)General-purpose machine gun (1)Grenade launcher (1)guided missile (1)Heavy machine gun (2)Infrared-homing air-to-air missile (1)Light machine gun (1)Main battle tank (Centurion) (1)Medium machine gun (1)Revolver grenade launcher (1)Self-propelled howitzer (1)Self-propelled multiple rocket launcher (1)Semi-automatic pistol (2)Shipboard point-defense surface-to-air missile (1)Short-range surface-to-air missile system (1)shoulder-launched surface-to-air missile (MANPADS) (1)small arm (1)Submachine gun (2)Surface-to-air missile system (1)CaliberAll.22 Long Rifle (1).30 caliber (1).30-06 Springfield (2).303 British (2).40 S&W (1).41 Action Express (1).45 ACP (1)105mm (1)12.7x108mm (1)122mm (1)14.5x114mm (1)155mm (1)30mm (1)30×29mm (1)40mm (2)40x46mm (2)5.56x45mm NATO (2)6.5x55mm (1)7.5×54mm French (1)7.62x25mm (1)7.62x39mm (4)7.62x51mm NATO (6)7.62x54mmR (1)7.62×25mm Tokarev (1)7.65x53mm Argentine (1)7.92x57mm Mauser (2)76.2mm (1)84mm (1)87.6mm (1)9x18mm (1)9x19mm (3)9×19 mm Parabellum (3)9×21mm (1)Introduced EraAll1919 (1)1935 (2)1938 (1)1940 (1)1942 (1)1945 (1)1946 (1)1948 (1)1949 (1)1951 (2)1952 (2)1954 (1)1958 (2)1961 (1)1962 (1)1963 (1)1967 (1)1968 (1)1970 (4)1971 (1)1972 (3)1974 (1)1980 (1)1983 (1)1987 (1)1988 (1)Service StatusAllIn Service (26)Retired (3)OperatorAllAustralian Army (2)Australian Defence Force (3)Brazilian Army (3)British Army (6)Bundeswehr (1)Canadian Armed Forces (2)Egyptian Armed Forces (2)Finnish Defence Forces (2)French Armed Forces (3)Hezbollah (1)Indian Army (3)Israeli Defense Forces (3)Mexican Armed Forces (1)People's Liberation Army (3)Red Army (1)Royal Air Force (4)Royal Navy (1)Russian Armed Forces (1)Soviet Armed Forces (4)Turkish Armed Forces (2)United States Armed Forces (4)United States Army (2)Vietnam People's Army (3)Waffen-SS (1)Wehrmacht (1)ManufacturerAllAlvis Car and Engineering Company Ltd (1)Aérospatiale (2)China North Industries Group Corporation Limited (1)Cugir Arms Factory (1)Daimler Company (1)DASA (2)Degtyarev plant (2)Denel (1)Denel Dynamics (1)Denel Land Systems (1)Fegyver- és Gépgyár (1)FN Herstal (3)General Motors (1)IMI Systems (2)Izhevsk Mechanical Plant (1)John Inglis and Company (1)John Inglis Company (1)KBM (1)Kyiv Arsenal (1)Leyland Motors (1)Matra (2)Milkor (Pty) Ltd (1)NPO Splav (1)Rock Island Arsenal (1)Royal Ordnance (1)Royal Ordnance Factory (1)Royal Small Arms Factory (1)Samsung Group (2)Short Brothers (1)Springfield Armory (1)Thales S.A. (2)Tula Arms Plant (1)Vickers (1)Vyatskiye Polyany Machine-Building Plant (1)Vympel (1)Zastava Arms (1)Česká zbrojovka Uherský Brod (2)Show ResultsBrowseCompareSelect all 3225-Pounder GunSouth African Border War9K32 Strela-2South African Border WarAGS-17South African Border WarAlvis SaracenSouth African Border WarAMD-65South African Border WarBazookaSouth African Border WarBM-21 GradSouth African Border WarBren GunSouth African Border WarBrowning Hi-PowerSouth African Border WarCenturion TankSouth African Border WarCrotale (missile)South African Border WarCrotale Missile SystemSouth African Border WarDShKSouth African Border WarFerret armoured carSouth African Border WarFN MAGSouth African Border WarG6 RhinoSouth African Border WarIWI GalilSouth African Border WarKPV heavy machine gunSouth African Border WarM1919 Browning Machine GunSouth African Border WarM79 Grenade LauncherSouth African Border WarMakarov PM PistolSouth African Border WarMILANSouth African Border WarMILAN Anti-Tank MissileSouth African Border WarMilkor MGLSouth African Border WarR-60 (missile)South African Border WarSa 23South African Border WarSeacat (missile)South African Border WarUziSouth African Border WarVektor R4South African Border WarVz. 58South African Border WarZastava M70 Assault RifleSouth African Border WarZT3 IngweSouth African Border WarConnectionsUses25-Pounder Gun, Weapons Systems Well-attested Source Wikipedia: Ordnance QF 25-pounder9K32 Strela-2, Weapons Systems Well-attested Source Wikipedia: 9K32 Strela-2tier 2AGS-17, Weapons Systems Well-attested Source Wikipedia: AGS-17Alvis Saracen, Weapons Systems Well-attested Source Wikipedia: Alvis SaracenAMD-65, Weapons Systems Well-attested Source Wikipedia: AMD-65Bazooka, Weapons Systems Well-attested Source Wikipedia: Bazookatier 2BM-21 Grad, Weapons Systems Well-attested Source Wikipedia: BM-21 GradBren Gun, Weapons Systems Well-attested Source Wikipedia: Bren light machine guntier 4Browning Hi-Power, Weapons Systems Well-attested Source Wikipedia: Browning Hi-Powertier 4Centurion Tank, Weapons Systems Well-attested Source Wikipedia: Centurion (Tank)tier 4Crotale (missile), Weapons Systems Well-attested Source Wikipedia: Crotale (missile)Crotale Missile System, Weapons Systems Well-attested Source Wikipedia: Crotale (missile)DShK, Weapons Systems Well-attested Source Wikipedia: DShKFerret armoured car, Weapons Systems Well-attested Source Wikipedia: Ferret armoured carFN MAG, Weapons Systems Well-attested Source Wikipedia: FN MAGG6 Rhino, Weapons Systems Well-attested Source Wikipedia: G6 howitzerIWI Galil, Weapons Systems Well-attested Source Wikipedia: IWI GalilKPV heavy machine gun, Weapons Systems Well-attested Source Wikipedia: KPV heavy machine gunM1919 Browning Machine Gun, Weapons Systems Well-attested Source M1919 Browning machine gun, WikipediaM79 Grenade Launcher, Weapons Systems Well-attested Source Wikipedia: M79 grenade launcherMakarov PM Pistol, Weapons Systems Well-attested Source Makarov pistol, WikipediaMILAN, Weapons Systems Well-attested Source Wikipedia: MILAN (missile)tier 2MILAN Anti-Tank Missile, Weapons Systems Well-attested Source Wikipedia: MILAN (missile)tier 2Milkor MGL, Weapons Systems Well-attested Source Wikipedia: Milkor MGLR-60 (missile), Weapons Systems Well-attested Source Wikipedia: R-60 (missile)Sa 23, Weapons Systems Well-attested Source Wikipedia: Sa 23Seacat (missile), Weapons Systems Well-attested Source Wikipedia: Seacat (missile)Uzi, Weapons Systems Well-attested Source Wikipedia: Uzitier 4Vektor R4, Weapons Systems Well-attested Source Wikipedia: Vektor R4Vz. 58, Weapons Systems Well-attested Source Wikipedia: vz. 58Zastava M70 Assault Rifle, Weapons Systems Well-attested Source Wikipedia: Zastava M70 (assault rifle)ZT3 Ingwe, Weapons Systems Well-attested Source Wikipedia: ZT3 IngweSources1. Wikipedia: South African Border WarLead sectionThe South African Border War, also known as the Namibian War of Independence, and sometimes denoted in South Africa as the Angolan Bush War, was a largely asymmetric conflict that occurred in Namibia (then South West Africa), Zambia, and Angola from 26 August 1966 to 21 March 1990.Lead textThe South African Border War, also known as the Namibian War of Independence, and sometimes denoted in South Africa as the Angolan Bush War, was a largely asymmetric conflict that occurred in Namibia (then South West Africa), Zambia, and Angola from 26 August 1966 to 21 March 1990.View the SourceWikipedia: Bazookatier 2WikipediaUses: Bazooka, infobox wars field: 'South African Border War'View the SourceWikipedia: Uzitier 4WikipediaUses: Uzi, infobox wars field: 'South African Border War'View the SourceWikipedia: Browning Hi-Powertier 4WikipediaUses: Browning Hi-Power, infobox wars field: 'South African Border War'View the SourceWikipedia: Centurion (Tank)tier 4WikipediaUses: Centurion Tank, infobox wars field: 'South African Border War'View the SourceWikipedia: MILAN (missile)tier 2WikipediaUses: MILAN Anti-Tank Missile, infobox wars field: 'South African Border War'Uses: MILAN, infobox wars field: 'South African Border War'View the SourceWikipedia: Ordnance QF 25-pounderUses: 25-Pounder Gun, infobox wars field: 'South African Border War'View the SourceM1919 Browning machine gun, WikipediaUses: M1919 Browning Machine Gun, infobox wars field: 'South African Border War'View the SourceWikipedia: BM-21 GradUses: BM-21 Grad, infobox wars field: 'South African Border War'View the SourceWikipedia: FN MAGUses: FN MAG, infobox wars field: 'South African Border War'View the SourceWikipedia: DShKUses: DShK, infobox wars field: 'South African Border War'View the SourceWikipedia: vz. 58Uses: Vz. 58, infobox wars field: 'South African Border War'View the SourceWikipedia: Zastava M70 (assault rifle)Uses: Zastava M70 Assault Rifle, infobox wars field: 'South African Border War'View the SourceWikipedia: AGS-17Uses: AGS-17, infobox wars field: 'South African Border War'View the SourceWikipedia: Vektor R4Uses: Vektor R4, infobox wars field: 'South African Border War'View the SourceWikipedia: IWI GalilUses: IWI Galil, infobox wars field: 'South African Border War'View the SourceWikipedia: Ferret armoured carUses: Ferret armoured car, infobox wars field: 'South African Border War'View the SourceWikipedia: Sa 23Uses: Sa 23, infobox wars field: 'South African Border War'View the SourceWikipedia: Alvis SaracenUses: Alvis Saracen, infobox wars field: 'South African Border War'View the SourceWikipedia: ZT3 IngweUses: ZT3 Ingwe, infobox wars field: 'South African Border War'View the SourceWikipedia: AMD-65Uses: AMD-65, infobox wars field: 'South African Border War'View the SourceMakarov pistol, WikipediaUses: Makarov PM Pistol, Infobox: warsQuote, Uses: Makarov PM Pistol, Infobox: warsFirst Indochina War Vietnam War Laotian Civil War Cambodian Civil War Communist insurgency in Thailand Nicaraguan Revolution Salvadoran Civil War Lebanese Civil War Soviet-Afghan War South African Border War Angolan Civil War Tuareg rebellion (1990-1995) Burundian Civil War First Chechen War Second Chechen War War in Afghanistan (2001-2021) Russo-Georgian War Libyan Civil War Syrian civil war War in Donbas Colombian Conflict Russo-Ukrainian warView the SourceWikipedia: Crotale (missile)Uses: Crotale Missile System, Infobox: warsChadian-Libyan conflict South African Border War Russian invasion of UkraineUses: Crotale (missile), Infobox: warsChadian-Libyan conflict South African Border War Russian invasion of UkraineView the SourceWikipedia: 9K32 Strela-2tier 2WikipediaUses: 9K32 Strela-2, Infobox: warsQuote, Uses: 9K32 Strela-2, Infobox: warsWar of Attrition Yom Kippur War Portuguese Colonial War Vietnam War Cambodian Civil War The Troubles Basque conflict Western Sahara War Communist insurgency in Thailand Rhodesian Bush War Nicaraguan Revolution Uganda-Tanzania War Salvadoran Civil War 1982 Lebanon War Lebanese Civil War Iran-Iraq War Gulf War Falklands War Second Sudanese Civil War South African Border War Soviet-Afghan War War in Afghanistan Syrian occupation of Lebanon Yugoslav Wars Iraq War Libyan Civil War Insurgency in Egypt Sinai insurgency Syrian Civil War War in Donbas Yemeni Civil War Libyan Civil War Russo-Ukrainian war Gaza war Iran warView the SourceWikipedia: G6 howitzerUses: G6 Rhino, Infobox: warsQuote, Uses: G6 Rhino, Infobox: warsSouth African Border War Yemeni Civil War (2015-present)View the SourceWikipedia: M79 grenade launcherUses: M79 Grenade Launcher, Infobox: warsQuote, Uses: M79 Grenade Launcher, Infobox: warsVietnam War Cambodian Civil War Laotian Civil War Communist insurgency in Thailand Dominican Civil War Communist Insurgency War The Troubles Operation Marajoara Lebanese Civil War South African Border War Sino-Vietnamese War Salvadoran Civil War Falklands War Bougainville conflict War in Afghanistan (2001-2021) Iraq War Gulf War Desert Storm Sistan and Baluchestan insurgency 2008-2011 Cambodia-Thailand border crisis 2010 Burma border clashes Syrian Civil War Battle of Marawi Myanmar Civil WarView the SourceWikipedia: Milkor MGLUses: Milkor MGL, Infobox: warsQuote, Uses: Milkor MGL, Infobox: warsSouth African Border War Kurdistan Workers' Party insurgency Rwandan Civil War Colombian conflict Yugoslav Wars War in Afghanistan (2001-2021) Iraq War Syrian Civil War Central African Republic Civil War (2012-present) 2013 Lahad Datu standoff Second Nagorno-Karabakh War Russian invasion of UkraineView the SourceWikipedia: KPV heavy machine gunUses: KPV heavy machine gun, Infobox: warsQuote, Uses: KPV heavy machine gun, Infobox: warsKorean War Vietnam War Laotian Civil War Cambodian Civil War Rhodesian Bush War Western Sahara War Angolan Civil War South African Border War Soviet-Afghan War Libyan-Chadian conflict Iran-Iraq War Gulf War First Chechen War Second Chechen War Russo-Georgian War Iraq War Lebanese Civil War First Libyan Civil War Syrian Civil War War in Iraq (2013-2017) Russo-Ukrainian War Second Libyan Civil War Yemeni Civil War (2014-present) Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen Saudi-Yemeni border conflict (2015-present)View the SourceWikipedia: R-60 (missile)Uses: R-60 (missile), Infobox: warsQuote, Uses: R-60 (missile), Infobox: warsIran-Iraq War South African Border War Lebanese Civil War Russo-Ukrainian warView the SourceWikipedia: Seacat (missile)Uses: Seacat (missile), Infobox: warsQuote, Uses: Seacat (missile), Infobox: wars1971 Indo-Pakistani War Iran-Iraq War Falklands War South African Border WarView the SourceWikipedia: Bren light machine guntier 4WikipediaUses: Bren Gun, Wikipedia article textQuote, Uses: Bren Gun, Wikipedia article textThe South African Defence Force deployed Bren guns during the South African Border War alongside the more contemporary FN MAG as late as 1978.View the SourceComments (0)No 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