Lubango served as the military headquarters for many factions including FAPLA, ANC-MK, SWAPO and Cuban/Soviet Units and advisors
Country
BRDM-1
The BRDM-1 (Bronirovannaya Razvedyvatelnaya Dozornaya Mashina, meaning "Armored Reconnaissance/Patrol Vehicle") was a Soviet-designed vehicle manufactured from 1957 to 1966. Angola acquired approximately 120 BRDM-1 units from the Soviet Union. Amphibious capability:...
BRDM-2
The BRDM-2 (Boyevaya Razvedyvatelnaya Dozornaya Mashina-2) is a Soviet-era amphibious armored scout car that saw significant use in the Angolan Civil War (1975-2002) by Soviet-aligned forces, including the Angolan Army (FAPLA) and Cuban troops, primarily for...
Chiredzi Fort
The Selous Scouts established a forward operational base, often referred to as Chiredzi Fort, at Chiredzi in southeastern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) during the Rhodesian Bush War. This base was strategically important for several reasons: Chiredzi is situated in the...
GAZ-66
The GAZ-66 truck was extensively used in Angola and Mozambique, primarily by the Soviet-backed liberation movements and later the national armies (MPLA in Angola, FRELIMO in Mozambique) during their respective wars of independence and subsequent civil wars. The...
Impala Mk II
The MB-326KC, commonly known as the Impala Mk II, is a single-seat, light attack aircraft version of the Aermacchi MB-326 jet trainer, produced under license by Atlas Aircraft Corporation in South Africa. Originally an Italian design, the MB-326...
Mirage IIIRZ
The Mirage IIIRZ was a dedicated photographic reconnaissance aircraft in South African Air Force (SAAF) service from 1967 to 1990. The primary role was unarmed high-speed aerial reconnaissance, which included both general photographic mapping and post-strike...
Mirage F1AZ
The Dassault Mirage F1AZ was a dedicated single-seat, single-engine ground attack/strike aircraft that served with the South African Air Force (SAAF) from 1975 until its retirement in November 1997. It was developed specifically for the SAAF, which sought a simplified...
Eland 90
The Eland 90 is a South African-produced, four-wheeled light armored car that was used extensively in various conflicts across Southern Africa, most notably by the defense forces of South Africa and Rhodesia, during the Angolan Civil War and the Rhodesian Bush War....
T-54/55
The T-54/55 was a primary main battle tank used by Angolan and Cuban forces in the Southern African conflict (South African Border War). These tanks frequently engaged the South African Defence Force's (SADF) lighter, wheeled armored vehicles, such as the Ratel 90,...
BTR-152
The BTR-152 was a significant, though often vulnerable, piece of military hardware in the Angolan and Mozambican Civil Wars, primarily used by the Soviet-backed government forces of the MPLA and FRELIMO, respectively. Angola In Angola, the BTR-152 was a standard piece...
M79
The M79 is known as the "Snotneus" in South Africa, which translates to "snot-nose," a nickname for the weapon's distinctive appearance and the way its projectiles would land in the field. The M79 was used by the South African Defence Force (SADF) and supplied to...
Omauni
Omauni was started when no roads were running west to east. When the initial reconnaissance was done with a Landrover and two Unimogs they did not find the 17h30 cutline as it was not clear where it converged with the border fence. They continued east and found the...
M-4 Patmor
The 60mm Patmor is a lightweight, man-portable patrol mortar system, primarily associated with South African defence companies like Denel Land Systems and Truvelo. "Patmor" is a contraction of "Patrol Mortar". Key Features and Specifications Type: Muzzle-loading,...
Ratel 90
The Ratel 90 is a South African wheeled infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) variant, designed primarily for fire support with a low-velocity 90 mm gun. It was a key asset in the South African Border War, known for its high mobility and long operational range. Key Features...
Shaw Barracks
Shaw Barracks was a military installation in Balla Balla, near Bulawayo, that served as the regimental training depot for the Rhodesian African Rifles from 1976 to 1980. It was named after the late Major General John Moore Shaw. After 1980, it was renamed the Zimbabwe...