Namibian Special Forces
| Namibian Special Forces | |
|---|---|
| Allegiance | Constitution of Namibia |
| Type | Special Forces |
| Size | Classified |
| Part of | Namibian Defence Force |
| Garrison/HQ | Grootfontein, Namibia |
| Commanders | |
| Commander In Chief | President Hage Geingob |
| Minister of Defence | Penda ya Ndakolo |
| Chief of Defence Force | Lieutenant General John Mutwa |
| Special Forces Commander | General Officer Commanding Special Forces Brig Ben Kadhila[1] |
The Namibian Special Forces are Namibia's Military elite Special Operations grouping. Made up of all the Namibian military's Special Forces and Special Operations capable units. Consisting of Army Commandos, Marine Amphibious Commandos and Airborne Paratroopers. The Commandos from the Namibian Army specialize in airborne and land borne insertion while the Namibian Marine Corps Amphibious Marine commandos specialize in sea borne insertion.
Role
Includes but not limited to:
- Special reconnaissance
- Direct action (military)
- High-value target
- Human intelligence (intelligence gathering)
- High-altitude military parachuting
- Counter-terrorism
- Quick reaction force
- Combat search and rescue
Training
Commando's
Little information is released on the training of the commando operators. Friendly countries are accepting candidates into their training cycles.[2]
Paratroopers
Pre Selection phase is 6 weeks long during which candidates are tested on military skills, such as Musketry Training, Navigation, Field Craft. After going through the pre selection phase the candidates progress to the Parachute Selection Phase. Both phases are physically and mentally tough. The pass rate for both phases is only 30 percent.[3] The candidates then progress to the Basic Static Line Jump Course which consists of a 1 week ground phase and 3 weeks of Practical Parachute Jumping. Included in this is 9 Parachute Jumps which of which 5 are Clean Fatigue jumps with Combat Webbing and Weapon jump, a Personal Weapons Container (PWC) jump and a Night jump. After completing this the candidate is officially a paratrooper and is awarded the Parachute jump wings and the maroon beret.[4] Training takes place at the Namibia Special Forces School at the Grootfontein Air Base[5]
Pathfinders
Pathfinders are taken from existing Paratroopers.
Amphibious Commando's
The Marine Commandos are trained in Brazil and in Walvis Bay by Brazilian instructors. The amphibious commando training course is a year long .[6] Only existing Marines are eligible for this training
Units
Commandos
Operators are taken from primarily from the Namibian Army. Most of their details and activities are classified.
Airborne
Parachute infantry are organized as part of the Special Forces and are likely a special operations force. This is likely due to their mobility and rapid deployment capability due to their nature as light infantry. The unit consists of paratroopers and riggers.[7]
Pathfinders
Pathfinders are special operation soldiers who's main role is to operate drop zones, pickup zones, and helicopter landing sites for airborne operations, air resupply operations, or other air operations in support of the ground unit commander.
Amphibious Marine Commandos
The amphibious marine commandos are the maritime specialists in Namibia's special operations capability. Trained by Brazilian specialists in Namibia and Brazil. The operators are taken from the Namibian Marine Corps.
Equipment
Known Weapons
| Name | Type | Origin | Photo | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AK-47 | Assault Rifle |  |
 |
Multiple variants |
| RPG-7 | Rocket Propelled Grenade Launcher |  |
 |
|
| PK 7.62×54mmR | General Purpose Machine Gun | |
 |
Multiple variants |
| M4 carbine | Assault Rifle |  |
 |
|
| Blaser R93 Tactical | Sniper Rifle |  |
 |
|
Known Vehicles
| Origin | Type | Acquired | In service | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agrale Marruá |  Brazil |
Utility Vehicle | 141 | -- | 141 units acquired for the whole Defence Force, total units used by Special Forces is classified.[8] |
Gallery
References
- ↑ Shilumbu, P (January 2011). "Special Force Participates in Exercise
Stalwart in South Africa". NDF Journal' 43: 10. line feed character in
|title=at position 39 (help) - ↑ http://www.dod.mil.za/sasoldier/2008/apr2008.pdf
- ↑ http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=25333
- ↑ http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=25333
- ↑ https://www.newera.com.na/2015/07/29/elite-unit-recruits/
- ↑ http://www.namibiansun.com/local-news/ready-serve-and-protect.74870
- ↑ http://www.mod.gov.na/pages/special.html
- ↑ http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=37339:namibia-defence-force-orders-marrua-vehicles&catid=50:Land&Itemid=105