Resurrection of the Marine Capability in the South African Navy: The Maritime Reaction Squadron

dc.creator	Calvin Manganyi
dc.date	2013-02-01T00:00:00Z
dc.date.accessioned	2015-07-20T20:08:19Z
dc.date.available	2015-07-20T20:08:19Z
dc.identifier	10.5787/40-3-1036
dc.identifier	2224-0020
dc.identifier	https://doaj.org/article/cbc3c95d7e2a426a94cf0edcef237d1a
dc.identifier.uri	http://evidence.thinkportal.org/handle/123456789/8126
dc.identifier.uri	https://doaj.org/article/cbc3c95d7e2a426a94cf0edcef237d1a
dc.description	The disbandment of the Marine Branch of the South African Navy (SAN) in 1990 following the end of the Border War, culminated in the loss of a marine capability geared to operate in an amphibious theatre. Budget cuts and the need to acquire new warships necessitated the disbandment of the marines. Following the country’s reacceptance into the international community in 1994, the newly formed South African National Defence Force (SANDF) found itself within a very short space of time involved in peace missions in the troubled Great Lakes region and elsewhere. The SAN, as part of the SANDF, was also drawn into peace missions. Members of the Protection Force and the Operational Diving Teams (ODTs) participated in peace missions and other exercises that demanded the marine capability. With the realisation that South Africa has been, and still is, involved in peace missions, the Chief of the SAN (C Navy) decided to resurrect such capability through the creation of the Maritime Reaction Squadron (MRS) in 2006. The MRS, however, does not mirror the defunct marines because it incorporates other elements such as divers who were absent in the first two marines. Even though it faces challenges, the MRS has conducted, and continues to conduct, various exercises and operations in support of South Africa’s foreign policy efforts.
dc.language	English
dc.publisher	University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Military Science (Military Academy)
dc.relation	http://scientiamilitaria.journals.ac.za/pub/article/view/1036
dc.relation	https://doaj.org/toc/2224-0020
dc.source	Scientia Militaria : South African Journal of Military Studies, Vol 40, Iss 3 (2013)
dc.subject	Marines
dc.subject	South African naval diplomacy
dc.subject	SAN
dc.subject	MRS
dc.subject	Operational Diving Division
dc.subject	Operational Boat Division
dc.subject	Reaction Force Division
dc.subject	Military Science
dc.subject	U
dc.subject	DOAJ:Military Science
dc.subject	DOAJ:Technology and Engineering
dc.subject	Military Science
dc.subject	U
dc.subject	DOAJ:Military Science
dc.subject	DOAJ:Technology and Engineering
dc.subject	Military Science
dc.subject	U
dc.subject	Military Science
dc.subject	U
dc.subject	Military Science
dc.subject	U
dc.title	Resurrection of the Marine Capability in the South African Navy: The Maritime Reaction Squadron
dc.type	Article