The 2018-2019 budget allocated to the South African ministry of defense is R47.9 billion (about $4.10 billion) compared to the 2017-2018 budget which was R48.9 billion ($4.18 billion). There is a slight decrease, according to defenseweb.

In the budget nomenclature released on Feb. 21 by the finance minister, Malusi Gigaba, the defense ministry plans to maintain its workforce (75,500 soldiers). However, this number will be reduced to 74,660 by 2020-21, to stay within the salary limit set by the government.

For the record, the remunerations- wages and salaries - account for 56.5% of the defense budget in South Africa.

This year, the ministry allocated R6.416 billion (about $549.4 million) to the air force while R6.78 billion (about $580.6 million) was allocated last year.  

R4.425 billion (about $ 378.9 million) was allocated to the navy (against R4.42 billion in the 2017-18 defense budget).

Land forces capture the major part of this budget (R16.234 billion or about $1.39 billion) but, compared to last year’s budget, it is roughly the same.