| 3 Parachute Battalion | |
|---|---|
 SANDF 3 Para emblem | |
| Active | July 1977 – present |
| Country |  South Africa |
| Allegiance | |
| Branch | |
| Type | Infantry (Paratroopers) |
| Role | Airborne infantry |
| Size | Battalion |
| Part of | South African Infantry Corps Army Conventional Reserve |
| Garrison/HQ | Tempe,Bloemfontein |
| Nickname | Parabats |
3 Parachute Battalion is a Citizen Forceparatroop unit of theSouth African Army. It was established in July 1977 within the formation of the Parachute Battalion. Later it was a battalion within44 Parachute Brigade. As a reserve unit, it has a status roughly equivalent to that of aBritishArmy Reserve or United StatesArmy National Guard unit.
With the implementation of one year National Service in South Africa in 1968,1 Parachute Battalion struggled to administer the Permanent Force and theCitizen Force Parabats.[1] To prevent the loss of these trained national servicemen at the end of their one-year service to other units of theSouth African Defence Force, it was decided to form a new citizen force parachute unit to take these men. The battalion was formed at Tempe in July 1977 of five rifle companies.
On 20 April 1978, 3 Parachute Battalion and other parachute units became part of the newly formed44 Parachute Brigade.
3 Parachute Battalion would take part inOperation Reindeer inAngola during 1978, Elements of this battalion took part in the parachute drop overCassinga.[2]
| From | Honorary Colonel | To |
| From | Officer Commanding | To |
| From | Regimental Sergeants Major | To |
| Awarded to 3 Parachute Battalion |
|---|
 |
