SOUTH AFRICAN DEFENCE REVIEW 2012

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the draft South African Defence Review 2012, concluding that it is unrealistic due to a lack of fiscal planning and an overly rigid 30-year vision. The author argues that the draft fails to prioritize short-term operational needs, contradicts its own collaborative security goals by emphasizing autonomous defence, and ignores critical gender mainstreaming requirements.

• The draft South African Defence Review 2012 is criticized for failing to address the gap between its policy ambitions and available funding. The document adopts a 'mandate driven perspective' that ignores fiscal constraints, making the proposed policy framework potentially unimplementable.
• The draft proposes a vision for the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) capabilities for the next 30 years, but the author argues this timeframe is inadvisable due to the fluidity of the strategic environment. The document is noted for lacking the logic or motivation behind specific force levels, such as the requirement for one mechanised division and two conventional submarines.
• There is a perceived contradiction in the draft between its support for collaborative defence and its insistence on autonomous defence. The author suggests the primary function of the SANDF should be redefined as an instrument for conflict prevention, resolution, and intervention rather than focusing on deterrence against external aggression.
• The draft fails to identify short- to medium-term priorities and their budgetary implications, leaving the SANDF with a mismatch between practiced policy and funding. Critical immediate needs include border safeguarding, supporting the South African Police Service (SAPS) in maintaining law and order, and participating in African peace missions.
• The document is described as 'gender blind' because it lacks specific references to gender equality, representation, or UN Security Council Resolution 1325. While it mentions gender-based violence and non-sexism, it fails to mainstream gender into the strategic direction of the SANDF.

APA

le Roux, L. (2012). SOUTH AFRICAN DEFENCE REVIEW 2012. Institute for Security Studies. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/PolBrief32.pdf

Chicago

le Roux, Len. SOUTH AFRICAN DEFENCE REVIEW 2012. Institute for Security Studies, 2012. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/PolBrief32.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=le Roux |first1=Len |title=SOUTH AFRICAN DEFENCE REVIEW 2012 |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |date=July 2012 |url=https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/PolBrief32.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{leroux2012south, author = {le Roux, Len}, title = {{SOUTH AFRICAN DEFENCE REVIEW 2012}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, year = {2012}, month = jul, url = {https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/PolBrief32.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }