Namibia

Republic of Namibia

The Republic of Namibia is the current name of the nation formerly called South West Africa and administered by the government of South Africa. During the 19th century the territory became part of the German Empire, but came under South African control during the First World War. Between 1966 and 1989, a guerilla war was waged against South African military and police forces by the People's Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN), the military wing of the South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO). A transitional government was formed in 1989, followed by independence in 1990.

The Namibian Defence Force was created in 1990 by combining elements of the SWATF and PLAN. Ground, Air and Naval elements comprise the 8,000 active duty personnel. The Namibian Police Force (NAMPOL) was created from elements of the old South West African Police (SWAPOL), and includes the Special Field Force (SFF), a paramilitary unit charged with border and VIP protection.

Namibian Camouflage Patterns

• The Namibian Defence Force pattern is a lizard design incorporating horizontal stripes of green and brown on a tan background. Introduced in 1991 and originally produced in Bophuthatswana, this is still the standard camouflage pattern. Recently the locally-produced version in ripstop fabric appears to have undergone some minor changes.

• Early elements of the Namibian Police wore DPM camouflage uniforms sourced through the United Kingdom.

• The current camouflage pattern of the Namibian Police is seen below.

• The pattern below is reputedly worn by Namibian Reserve Forces.