DEFENCEWEB
A group of South African Soldiers attached to the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have another skill set, jungle warfare, thanks to training offered by Brazilian specialists.
Thirty-six South African Soldiers attached to the U.N.’s Force Intervention Brigade and identified as having instructor potential were selected for specialist training by the Brazilian Jungle Warfare Mobile Training Team detachment. Eight specialists from Brazil’s Jungle War Instruction Centre presented the six-module course.
The South Africans trained in shooting, navigation, tactical movement and offensive operations. They also got an overview of general jungle warfare.
The South African Army group is the latest to benefit after members of the Quick Reaction Force completed a jungle warfare training course held by their Brazilian counterparts in August 2023. In 2022, 30 members of South Africa’s Quick Reaction Force I received their Jaguar badges after training conducted by a Brazilian Jungle Warfare Mobile Training Team.
Kenyan and Malawian Soldiers deployed to the DRC peacekeeping mission also have benefited from Brazilian specialist expertise and knowledge.
Officials described the Brazilians as “the people of choice for this training because of their experience and trophies in this field.” South African Soldiers also undergo jungle warfare training in their home country before deploying.