Defence seeks R9bn to boost military readiness

The defence department has asked the National Treasury for an urgent infusion of R9bn to keep the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) operational amid a deepening funding shortfall.

Minister warns of crippled readiness

Defence and military veterans minister Angie Motshekga told the standing committee on appropriations that most of the army’s aircraft, ships and vehicles are currently unserviced. “We would like parliament as a whole to really understand where the pressures are and support us when we come before committees. Most of our aircraft, ships and vehicles are unserviced,” she said. The minister added that a list of required funds totalling that amount has been submitted to the Treasury and that the department is “campaigning and soliciting support as much as possible” to obtain the money.

The department’s compensation of employees budget is already overrun by about R3.7bn, and officials say the shortfall will exceed R13bn in the next three years. Reserve force utilisation has also surpassed planned man‑days, adding to the fiscal strain.

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Financial pressures spill into operations

Acting chief financial officer Edem Abotsi explained that the department has, for the first time, resorted to an overdraft facility. “The challenge started in 2017 through Fees Must Fall, where our budget was reduced. Since then we have incurred an irregular expenditure of R10bn because we utilised the goods and services money to augment the underfunding of the compensation of employees,” he said.

From the 2022/23 fiscal year onward, the SANDF exceeded its overall budget by R12bn, and over the past eight to nine years the cumulative irregular expenditure has reached R22bn. Roughly 65% of the department’s budget goes to employee costs, leaving little for the upgrade of aging equipment.

Operation Prosper, launched by President Cyril Ramaphosa in February, saw more than 2,000 soldiers deployed across five provinces to combat organised crime. The Treasury has yet to release the nearly R900m needed for the operation, forcing the defence department to divert funds from other programmes. Deputy minister Bantu Holomisa likened the situation to “stealing from Paul to pay Peter”.

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Holomisa urged the Treasury to recognise the financial implications of presidential mandates, stating that “when the president and parliament give the SANDF a mandate, the defence force must execute, as the operational imperative is immediate and the fiscus cannot become an afterthought.” He called for stronger financial discipline but warned that underfunding defence has consequences beyond balance sheets.

Without the requested sum, the SANDF faces the risk of further degradation of its core capabilities, including military intelligence, which is currently underfunded by about 48%. The department’s 2026 performance plan warns that many programmes are underfunded by more than 40%, threatening the country’s sovereign defence industry base.

As the committee continues its deliberations, the Treasury’s response will determine whether the defence force can maintain its readiness or be forced to curtail operations amid mounting fiscal pressures.