Cape town: The government has allocated R57.6 billion to the Department of Defence for the 2026/27 financial year, with a strong focus on border safeguarding, internal security support, and rebuilding South Africa's defence capabilities amid mounting regional and domestic security pressures. Tabling Budget Vote 23 in the National Assembly on Wednesday, Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga said the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) remains central to protecting the country's sovereignty, supporting internal stability, and safeguarding strategic national interests.
According to South African Government News Agency, Minister Motshekga emphasized the SANDF's essential role in maintaining sovereignty, internal stability, and fulfilling South Africa's regional and global obligations. She urged Parliament to support the Department's efforts to secure adequate resources, align defence ambitions with increased funding, and restore coherence between policy and force design. The Minister cautioned about growing maritime traffic, illegal migration, organized crime, and infrastructure deterioration, which exert significant pressure on the defence force.
The Department of Defence received a total allocation of R57.6 billion for the 2026/27 financial year. The allocation includes R37.7 billion for compensation of employees, R2.5 billion for the SA Army, R2.7 billion for the SA Air Force, R1.9 billion for the SA Navy, R1.5 billion for Military Health Services, R4.5 billion for the Logistics Division, and R1.5 billion for the Joint Operations Division. Additional funding has been earmarked for strategic operational priorities, including R557 million for border safeguarding technology and vehicles, R427 million for Air Force fighter capability maintenance, R607 million for Navy repairs and maintenance, R80 million for military uniforms, and a R1.5 billion transfer to ARMSCOR. An extra R150 million has been allocated to support the SANDF's role during the 2026 local government elections.
Border safeguarding emerged as one of the department's key priorities, with the Minister warning that porous borders threaten national security and economic stability. The department noted that intelligence-led operations, supported by radar, sensors, and unmanned aerial vehicles, are disrupting cross-border criminal syndicates, illegal migration networks, and smuggling operations. The SANDF will continue collaborating with other departments and provincial administrations to strengthen border management systems.
Motshekga announced that an additional R823 million will be available for SANDF operations supporting the South African Police Service (SAPS) to address gang violence, illegal mining, organized crime, and other internal security threats. Coordinated interventions have already disrupted criminal syndicates and illegal mining operations through sustained visibility, targeted enforcement, and deprivation of criminal resources.
The Minister highlighted the strategic importance of the Cape Sea Route, describing the Navy as a strategic necessity for South Africa. Despite ongoing maintenance and infrastructure challenges, the SANDF recorded several operational milestones, including the SAS Amatola's deployment to India and participation in Exercise MILAN 2026. South Africa is also expected to host the African Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2026 exhibition in September, which will showcase local defence industries and expose young people to careers in aerospace and defence.
Motshekga acknowledged that the SANDF continues to face funding constraints and structural pressures, with a fundamental misalignment between mandate, expectations, and funding. Cabinet has approved a series of long-term defence planning frameworks, including a Defence Capstone Policy Concept and a 30-year Defence Capability Plan known as the 'Journey to Greatness', aimed at restoring coherence between defence policy, force design, and future operational requirements. A minimum funding threshold of 1.5% of GDP is required to maintain operational viability over time.
The department is continuing efforts to rejuvenate the SANDF through military skills development and youth training initiatives. An intake of 581 young people completed training through the South African National Service Institute (SANSI) and are now participating in learnership programmes. The government plans to expand partnerships with departments responsible for youth development, higher education, labour, and small business to strengthen employment pathways for young people.
The Department of Defence acknowledged governance and financial management challenges, including qualified audit opinions, irregular expenditure, and overspending on compensation of employees. An Audit Action Plan, governance reviews, and consequence management processes are being implemented, including disciplinary action and recovery of state funds where necessary.
The Department of Military Veterans received a separate allocation of R912 million for the 2026/27 financial year for healthcare, pensions, housing, education, and compensation benefits. The department acknowledged operational challenges, including inadequate IT systems and weaknesses in service delivery. A Ministerial Transversal Task Team has been appointed to stabilize the department and improve service delivery to veterans.