MORE THAN JUST SOLDIERS: DECODING THE FORMATIONS THAT DRIVE COMBAT READINESS

It takes more than a tank to win a battle.

Curiosity about the South African Army (SA Army) often focuses on the heavy armour and impressive firepower, but the force is only as effective as the bonds between its parts.

The SA Army is organised into several functional branches called ‘Type Formations,’ which are responsible for providing combat-ready forces.

The Spearhead: Combat Formations

At the heart of the fighting force are the Infantry and Armour formations.

Staff Sergeant Leroibaki points at the Husky, a system used to detecting improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and mines Photo by Zinhle Bhuda

The Infantry Formation is the largest fighting corps, representing the soldiers who close with and destroy enemy forces.

This formation showcases versatility across mechanised and motorised units.

The Armoured Corps, often referred to as the Armour Formation, provides the heavy shock and firepower, utilising tanks and armoured vehicles to break enemy lines.

Although, these formations are nothing without their brain and builder, the combat support, which enables combat operations from the beginning to the end.

The Brain and Builder Behind the Army

This year’s exercise crucially highlighted formations that enable combat operations, the signals and engineers.

•Signal Formation:

This is the most critical enabling formation of the army as it ensures communication between commanders and soldiers on the battlefield.

According to Division Signal Unit Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Ndlovu, the signal capability provides support to the division, the brigade and forces in the frontline by giving tactical communication.

He highlighted the Signal Formation’s motto, “No Comms, No War”.

“In our language its no comms; no war, because a commander must be effected with tools to command his forces or know more information about his enemy,” he said, emphasizing the importance of communication.

Moreover, the formation utilises the basic tactical radio and is advancing in the 4th revolution industry where ICT plays a vital role in giving telecommunication support.

•Engineer Formation:

Known as the force multiplier of the army, it is the military engineering corps of the SA Army which ensures operational readiness for all land forces.

“The mandate of this formation is to enhance mobility and survivability of own forces while denying mobility to enemy forces,” stated Colonel Farao.

Military engineers are responsible for critical tasks like building bridges, clearing and laying minefields, constructing fortifications, providing water purification, and conducting demolitions to support or hinder troop movement.

•The Backbone:

Logistics and Sustainment

Finally, the Support Formation is the unwavering logistical engine that ensures the entire force is sustained.

This formation manages all critical responsibilities, including the delivery of fuel, food, ammunition, and maintenance services.

Without this operational backbone, no matter how skilled the combat units may be, the entire operation simply grinds to a halt.

Exercise Vuk’uhlome 2025 has validated that the South African Army functions as a single, interdependent entity.

The exercise proved the army’s “One Force Concept,” where tactical success relies equally on the tank crew, the engineer, the signaller, and the logistician.

By demonstrating this synchronisation, the SA Army affirmed its operational readiness for missions at home and abroad.