Operation Southern Cross (1986) was a military operation by the South African Defence Force during the South African Border War and Angolan Civil War.

During May 1986, the South African Defence Force (SADF) began planning an operation that called for the capture of the People's Armed Forces for the Liberation of Angola (FAPLA) controlled town and airbase at Cuito Cuanavale.

Cuito Cuanavale was a military base used previously to launch Cuban and Angolan attacks on the UNITA held town of Mavinga with the objective to capture it and eventually launch an attack on the UNITA headquarters at Jamba.

[2]: Ch9 This initial plan was scrapped by the SADF and modified to become just an artillery bombardment on Cuito Cuanavale.

The SADF would use the Valkiri multiple rocket launchers and the G5 155 mm artillery guns.