1 Special Service Battalion (usually abbreviated to 1SSB) is an armoured regiment of the South African Army and only one of two such in its regular force. The Regiment is based at Tempe near Bloemfontein. It was previously known in Afrikaans as 1 Spesiale Diens Bataljon (1 SDB).

History

Following World War II, the Special Service Battalion was re-organised into 2 battalions - 1 Special Service Battalion and 1 South African Infantry Battalion. When the South African Armoured Corps was thus officially proclaimed in 1946 and Special Service Battalion was included in the corps as the only full-time unit, its symbols and colours were incorporated. 1 SSB also took part in the South African Border War, serving in South-West Africa and Angola. More recently, the unit also took part in Operation Boleas, which was a South African intervention in its neighbouring country of Lesotho in 1998. 1 SSB had a sister unit for a number of years in the post-World War II era, designated 2 Special Service Battalion, which was based in the town of Zeerust. This unit has now been disbanded. 1 SSB also detached squadrons to various battlegroups in the South West African campaign

Equipment

pre 1995

Current

The regiment is equipped primarily with Ratel infantry fighting vehicles and Rooikat armoured cars.

Future

Under Project Hoefyster, the SANDF will eventually replace the Ratel family of vehicles with the Badger system. Five versions are contemplated of which two are earmarked for 1 SSB:

Regimental symbols

Previous Dress Insignia

Current Dress Insignia

Leadership

Alliances

Battle honours

Future

This unit will together with 1 SA Tank Regiment form the Armoured Brigade of the new Mechanized Division to be formed under Army vision 2020.