Yes, South Africa is a league above others but, in the larger picture it is a joke like all other countries apart from the USA, Russia, and China...

I first want to clarify one or 2 things before replying:
Firstly,only operational experience,ie real battle counts when grading armies. Not parades,equipment,motivation or training. In this regard the old SADF was worldclass,the post-94 SANDF,experts say isn't even close. The Naijja battle experience in W.Africa wasn't exemplary going by most reports. Looting,indiscipline and rape was rife-even Kenbatt soldiers who observed them commented on their tendencies. The Ethio-Eri engagement didn't cover the latter with glory either-they lost a 100,000 KIA to an enemy 10% of their size.
That said, the nearest answer to the original question would have to be RSA.Hands down,a strong well equipped force with world beating indigenous weapons manufacture with a supporting economy to match simply can't be beaten in conventional war as we know it by any African force.n,

kikuyu1: I first want to clarify one or 2 things before replying:
Firstly,only operational experience,ie real battle counts when grading armies. Not parades,equipment,motivation or training. In this regard the old SADF was worldclass,the post-94 SANDF,experts say isn't even close. The Naijja battle experience in W.Africa wasn't exemplary going by most reports. Looting,indiscipline and rape was rife-even Kenbatt soldiers who observed them commented on their tendencies. The Ethio-Eri engagement didn't cover the latter with glory either-they lost a 100,000 KIA to an enemy 10% of their size.
That said, the nearest answer to the original question would have to be RSA.Hands down,a strong well equipped force with world beating indigenous weapons manufacture with a supporting economy to match simply can't be beaten in conventional war as we know it by any African force.n,

thats a lie! The naija army coordinated them selves anytime on peace keeping thats why they comand un forces.

gst101: thats a lie! The naija army coordinated them selves anytime on peace keeping thats why they comand un forces.

Not being rude but witch UN missions (UN not AU or AU UN mix)
And being in command dose not mean coordinate when South Sudan had there indepence day thing they where in command but a lot of the coordination was not done by them (mainly air control side)agian not rude just asking

andrewza:

Not being rude but witch UN missions (UN not AU or AU UN mix)
And being in command dose not mean coordinate when South Sudan had there indepence day thing they where in command but a lot of the coordination was not done by them (mainly air control side)agian not rude just asking

the un mission in congo
we have comanded and coordinated a number of missions under the auspices of the UN, AU and ECOWAS. Read about nigeria's peace keeping effort since 1960 till date. Infact, we had already started helping africa even before our independence in 1960

andrewza:

Not being rude but witch UN missions (UN not AU or AU UN mix)
And being in command dose not mean coordinate when South Sudan had there indepence day thing they where in command but a lot of the coordination was not done by them (mainly air control side)agian not rude just asking

the un mission in congo.

we have comanded and coordinated a number of missions under the auspices of the UN, AU and ECOWAS. Read about nigeria's peace keeping effort since 1960 till date. Infact, we had already started helping africa even before our independence in 1960

Major general Samaila Iliya was commander of the DRC mission 2004 to 2005. This dose not mean Nigeria was in charge of the mission it meant Samaila Iliya was in charge each mission get a commander from a Dona nation.

My inf on this bit is old but Nigeria had less than 100 men in the DRC (comparison RSA has over 1000) so you did not run it.

still you cannot compare SA's contribution to naija's when it comes to peace keeping. Nigeria has commanded and run peace keeping operations almost single handedly in ecowas before. We also single handedly brought back a legitimate govt into power is sao tome and principe. This the nigerian army did by force. You cant take our pedigree away! It is there for every one to see.

Never said you did not run a local mission. And south africa has done a lot for peace keeping. In a number of regions. The main reason for the lake of local mission is the peace that existence in the area.

Here is the full list!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Organization_Stabilization_Mission_in_the_Democratic_Republic_of_the_Congo


India contributed more than both as did Pakistan!

when the cold war ended, africa was been abandoned and liberia decended into a brutal war. Naija and our ecowas allies took the bold step to intervene militarily in liberia. We fought so hard side by side and today, one of the most politically unstable countries in africa is now stable and democracy is consolidated by the back to back elections held in our brother country liberia. By this single action at that point in time, nigeria and our ecowas brothers showed to the world that indeed 'africa has come of age'. I am not going to separate ecowas from nigeria becos our ecowas brothers are us and we are them.

SmoothCrim: Here is the full list!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Organization_Stabilization_Mission_in_the_Democratic_Republic_of_the_Congo


India contributed more than both as did Pakistan!

Both have insane military budgets and size (the all ways ready for war, with each other) but yes they contributed a lot.

And that data is old but still a good scale.

gst101: when the cold war ended, africa was been abandoned and liberia decended into a brutal war. Naija and our ecowas allies took the bold step to intervene militarily in liberia. We fought so hard side by side and today, one of the most politically unstable countries in africa is now stable and democracy is consolidated by the back to back elections held in our brother country liberia. By this single action at that point in time, nigeria and our ecowas brothers showed to the world that indeed 'africa has come of age'. I am not going to separate ecowas from nigeria becos our ecowas brothers are us and we are them.

Is it not funny how during the cold war the south was at war and now after wards we at peace.

And do you know about executive outcomes.

IN the end both of you have good militaries by African standards! If you fought each other it would be a stalemate.

Such is war! It is very difficult to decisively defeat anyone and the USA's missions in Afghanistan and Iraq prove this.

andrewza: Never said you did not run a local mission. And south africa has done a lot for peace keeping. In a number of regions. The main reason for the lake of local mission is the peace that existence in the area.

what about angola that ended just in '02? For nigeria, i am not just talking about today. Am talking about five solid decades

You do know we where one of the players in the civil war. It would have been wrong for us to go in and may have done more harm than good.

You do know we where one of the players in the civil war. It would have been wrong for us to go in and may have done more harm than good.

And south africa has history of war way long than 50 years. But I would never bother with that in this thread. It is history.

Secret or no secret capabilities indicate what you have and stop claiming non existing weaponry and blowing some misplaced narrow nationalistic and patriotic vitrolic hotair.

Back to objective discussion.....read the below attached article and please objective input

SA manufactures world-class periscopes

SA is one of the few countries in the world with the know-how and advanced manufacturing capacity to produce high-quality periscopes for modern submarines.

Local technology company, Carl Zeiss Optronics on Thursday opened its new facility in Centurion where the periscopes will in future be manufactured and assembled. The opening was conducted by the Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Admiral R W Higgs.

Kobus Viljoen, the CEO of Carl Zeiss Optronics, says the local company has a long history in the development and manufacturing of periscopes.

It started in 1990 when the former company Eloptro (a division of Denel), upgraded the periscopes for the South African Navy's Daphne class submarines. Following this successful project the first export contract was won by Eloptro in 1997, for the upgrade of periscopes of two U209 class submarines for a South American country.

In 2001, Eloptro and Carl Zeiss in Germany signed a cooperation agreement to jointly develop and manufacture a new periscope to be fitted to newly build submarines of the German shipyard. This cooperation was a result of the acquisition of new submarines by the South African government and the obligatory industrial participation by foreign companies with the local industry.

With the growing successful cooperation between the two companies, Carl Zeiss Optronics from Germany decided, in May 2007, to acquire a 70% holding of the former Denel company. The company was renamed Carl Zeiss Optronics.

More than twenty-five periscope assemblies have been successfully delivered to Carl Zeiss Optronics GmbH in Germany, which are integrated on submarines sailing all over the world.

Due to the growing business in periscope manufacturing and the closure of the manufacturing plant in Kempton Park (where the former Eloptro was located), CZO decided to invest in a new facility in Irene.

The final assembly of the 12-metre tall periscopes require a specially-designed building that was opened on Thursday.

Rear Admiral Higgs says CZO's ability to maintain and upgrade the local submarines periscopes ensures that the most advanced technology for fast surveillance and observation will remain readily available.

This will strengthen the capacity of the SA Navy to protect the country's coastline against intruders and provides it with the assurance that a local company can deliver on one of the most vital parts of a modern submarine.

With this new facility, CZO is able to manufacture four - six periscopes per year. The entire production process is now done in one building including a number of "clean rooms" where the highly-polished glass-optics are fitted into the periscope tube in a pristine environment. The periscope is then moved to a tower for final testing and calibration, before being shipped out to international clients.

Viljoen says that the production of the periscope demonstrates the company's ability to design, develop, manufacture and deliver world-class optronics that can be used by navies across the world.

The business also boosted the South African technology and high-end manufacturing sectors. More than 15 local companies are involved as suppliers of parts and services in the production process - creating more than 100 skilled jobs at CZO and its suppliers.

South Africa has decades of experience developing missile and rocket technology, but it dismantled its covert ballistic missile program after announcing the end of its secret nuclear weapons program in the early 1990s. Since the mid-1960s, South Africa has developed short-range tactical missiles; in the 1970s and 1980s, South Africa, with help from Israel, began developing a longer range ballistic missile as a possible delivery vehicle for nuclear warheads. A July 1989 test launch of what South Africa called a "booster rocket" confirmed Pretoria had a ballistic missile program similar to Israel's Jericho missile series, and precipitated intense scrutiny from the United Nations and the United States.[1] South Africa had dismantled its nuclear weapons program by the early 1990s, and subsequently halted its long-range missile program. It is now a member of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), and the Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCOC).[2]

South Africa developed the Republic of South Africa (RSA) missile series, based largely on Israeli missiles. Armscor, the principal developer of Pretoria's nuclear weapons system, designed gun-type nuclear devices that could be delivered by aircraft, but it had plans to upgrade the weapons for possible delivery by RSA missiles.

Pretoria developed four missiles whose design characteristics are shown in Table 1. The RSA-1 was an intermediate-range, single-stage ballistic missile with a 1,100km trajectory coupled with a standard warhead mass of 1,500kg. The RSA-2 followed, with a range of 1,900km and the ability to carry a 1,500kg standard warhead mass.[4] The RSA-3, based on the Israeli Jericho missile/Shavit launch vehicle, was a three-stage solid-fueled orbital launch vehicle. While Pretoria wanted to develop a long-range ballistic missile for warhead delivery, it did not have the technology at the time to produce a lightweight warhead for missile delivery.[5] The RSA-3's first stage had control or steering vanes in the exhaust and at the base of the vehicle. A guidance/ orientation/spin-up bus for the third stage and payload, totaling a mass of 583kg, topped the second stage. After second stage burnout, the spin-stabilized third stage placed the payload into orbit.[6] To support its missile development program, South Africa developed an indigenous solid-propellant production capability. The RSA-4 was still in development when Pretoria announced the dismantlement of its nuclear weapons program and subsequently its space program.

History

1960s to Early 1980s: South Africa Increases Missile Range with Israeli Aid
The Armaments Corporation of South Africa (Armscor) began developing rockets and missiles in the mid-1960s, focusing primarily on short-range tactical missiles for battlefield use. By the early 1980s, Armscor produced only two missiles used by the South African Defence Forces (SADF): the 22km range Valkiri surface-to-surface artillery missile, and the 4-10km range V3 Kukri air-to-air missile.[8] However, in tandem with South Africa's secret nuclear weapons program begun in the mid-1970s, Pretoria began an effort to acquire or build a long-range missile. At that time, South Africa had little if any experience with relevant technologies such as high-thrust engines, propellant production, and inertial guidance systems.[9] Thus, Pretoria turned to Israel, an important military supplier since the 1950s, and one of the few countries to provide military technology to South Africa after the United Nations imposed embargoes on the country for its apartheid system in 1963 and 1977.

A March 1975 memo addressed to the SADF Commandant-General from the Chief of Staff indicates that Israel had offered to sell Pretoria 500km range Jericho-1 missiles, and that Pretoria was interested in acquiring the nuclear warheads to arm these missiles. Rather than buy off-the-shelf Israeli missiles, Pretoria apparently decided to use Israeli designs and technical assistance.[11] In 1978, Armscor formed Kentron (now Denel Dynamics), a new subsidiary with a staff of 1,600 headquartered in Pretoria, that was responsible for guided missile development and manufacture.[12] Kentron produced the shorter range RSA-1 and RSA-2 missiles, and also, with Israeli help, undertook development of intermediate and long-range ballistic missiles.

Israeli technological assistance included the design schematics and the capability of constructing the ten-ton solid propellant rocket motors that powered the Jericho-2 missile. These motors formed the basis of two space launchers for the R5b space program. The overall design and capability suggest that the RSA-2 was either a licensed copy of, or modeled closely after, Israel's Jericho-2 missile. Moreover, the first and second stages of the RSA-3 used the same rocket motor as Israel's Shavit launch vehicle, and the third stage, also like the Shavit, had a five metric ton thrust spherical motor.

While Pretoria claimed that it was funding a space program, it sought to eventually use the rockets as weapons delivery systems. [14] According to one history of South African-Israeli military cooperation: "In 1987 Armscor informed the South African Cabinet it could build a missile, based on Israeli design, which 'could hit a target in Nairobi within 300 yards,' about 2,500 km from South Africa.

1989: Rocket Test Reveals Nuclear Ambitions and Draws International Scrutiny
Despite UN embargoes, South Africa secretly collaborated with Israel on a ballistic missile program under the guise of a civilian space program, referred to as R5b. In June 1989, the Washington Times reported that, South Africa, with assistance to Israel, planned to test-launch a new intermediate-range missile. Later, an Armscor spokesman confirmed that the company had over the past six years built a missile test range at Overberg on the southern tip of South Africa. Around the same time, U.S. intelligence sources reported that South Africa was close to launching a modified version of Israel's intermediate-range Jericho-2, probably from a facility near Cape Town reportedly almost identical to Israel's launch site in the Negev Dessert. South African officials stated that the new missile had been under development since at least 1987, and would also be used as a booster for launching photo-reconnaissance satellites. A U.S. Central Intelligence Agency assessment reportedly suggested that South Africa was also preparing to test the more advanced Israeli Shavit space launch vehicle, which might be converted to a 3,200km-range missile.

On 5 July 1989, Armscor announced that it had successfully tested a booster rocket from the Overberg test range. Outside analysts, however, suggested that the test was of an intermediate-range missile, and U.S. intelligence officials thought that a short-range missile with a rocket plume strikingly similar to Israel's Jericho-2 missile had been tested. The test missile flew 1,450 km southeast toward Prince Edward Island.

After U.S. officials publicly stated in October 1989 that Israel was assisting South Africa in developing a medium-range missile, senior Israeli officials again tried to sidestep the matter, but later Israeli sources confirmed cooperation with South Africa on a variety of projects, including the joint development of a surface-to-surface missile armed with a nuclear warhead.

1990 to 2002: South Africa Terminates Ballistic Missile and Space Programs
The July 1989 rocket test intensified international concerns that South Africa, with Israeli collaboration, planned to develop nuclear tipped missiles. On 15 December 1989, the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 44/113 B, noting its great concern about this cooperation and requesting that the Secretary-General investigate. The resulting 1991 UN report concluded in part:

The South African missile programme relies on foreign technology from various foreign sources. The only source of officially licensed foreign missile technology today is Israel. Much additional technology is acquired clandestinely and illegally....If South Africa deploys long-range missiles, these are most likely intended to carry nuclear warheads.

Under pressure from the international community, South Africa renounced its apartheid system and began to dismantle its nuclear weapons program; in July 1991, South Africa joined the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) as a non-nuclear weapon state. Despite these developments, in September 1991 the United States sanctioned South Africa for importing ballistic missile technologies from Israel in contravention of Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) guidelines. South African President F.W. de Klerk protested the sanctions, claiming that his country was developing space launch vehicles with the dual-use technology. After bilateral discussions on the economics of space launch vehicles, the South African government announced that it would stop subsidizing the space launch vehicle program and direct those in charge of it to determine ways to make it profitable, a prelude to folding the space program.

In 1992, Pretoria halted its missile collaboration with Israel, and in June 1993 South Africa agreed to refrain from manufacturing long-range missiles and to dismantle its capability to produce large space rockets. By this time South Africa had terminated the nuclear program and revealed its existence. President de Klerk announced the termination of the SRA-3 and SRA-4 space launch vehicle programs due to questions about the commercial viability of the South African space industry, a point later echoed by Foreign Minister Pik Botha. Western diplomats pointed to heavy pressure from the United States as the deciding factor to shut down the program. Before South Africa could join the MTCR, the companies — Kentron, Houwteq, and Somchem — that actually built the long-range rockets were forced to dismantle key technologies and to retrieve blueprints and technical files from subcontractors.After South Africa destroyed its plants and equipment used to build space rockets — or ballistic missiles — it was permitted to join the MTCR on 13 September 1995.Under South Africa's 1993 Nonproliferation of Weapons Mass Destruction Act, the government requires import and export permits for controlled missile-related items. To further its contribution to the nonproliferation of missile technology, South Africa assented to the Hague Code of Conduct Against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCOC) on 25 November 2002.

Recent Developments and Current Status

South Africa has the technical knowledge to build an intermediate to long-range ballistic missile, but has little incentive to do so. Moreover, Pretoria has championed missile nonproliferation and export control measures. The country is an active participant in international space science and governance initiatives, and government officials have periodically discussed reviving South Africa's space launch vehicle program.

South African companies build and export a variety of tactical short-range missiles, precision-guided weapon systems, and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAVs) systems. The state-owned company Denel Dynamics (formerly Kentron) produces the Umkhonto air defense missile, the Raptor precision bomb, the Umbani long-range surface-to-surface missiles, and the Ingwe anti-tank missile.Denel Dynamics collaborates with Brazil on the development of the short-range infrared homing A-Darter air-to-air missile for use by both countries and for export. In 2009, the A-Darter, developed at a cost of $130 million, was successfully flight tested.Denel Dynamics also produces and exports tactical UAVs, including the Seeker 400 that was unveiled in 2008.

I am throwing a gauntlet... show me what your respective African countries produces in terms of military products and here below I based my deductions

The G6 is a 155mm long-range gun developed and produced by the LIW division of Denel, mounted on a chassis made by Alvis OMC (now part of BAE Systems Land Systems). The G6 is in service with the South African Army (43 systems - GV6 Rhino) and has also been exported to the United Arab Emirates (78 systems - G6 M1A3) and Oman (24 systems).

The G6 155mm self-propelled howitzer is a highly autonomous system with 700km vehicle fuel range, 50km weapon range using velocity enhanced long range projectiles and the ability to fire the first round within 60 seconds of the vehicle stopping.

In September 2001, the G6 achieved a range of 53.6km using the new velocity-enhanced long-range projectile (V-LAP) and the new M64 bi-modular charge system. V-LAP combines base bleed and rocket motor technology, while the M64 charge system increases muzzle velocity to 910m/s VLAP is part of Denel's new Assegai range of 155mm ammunition.

The G6 is operated by a crew of six - driver, commander, gun layer, breech operator, ammunition loader and ammunition handler.
G6 155mm howitzer armament

The 155mm main gun is equipped with a 45-calibre auto-frettaged barrel, a semi-automatic screw-type breech and an electrical trigger mechanism. The gun is fitted with a single-baffle open-type muzzle brake and a reinforced epoxy resin fume extractor.
"The G6 is a 155mm long-range gun."

The howitzer has on-board storage for 45 projectiles and 50 charges. Semi-automatic projectile loading is carried out using an electronically controlled hydraulic flick-rammer. Two loading chutes are installed at the rear of gun for direct loading from a ground ammunition pile.

Firing ports are provided for the crews' personal weapons and a machine-gun mounting is fitted on the left turret cupola with an optional machine-gun.
Extended-range full-bore ammunition (ERFB)

The gun is compatible with all Nato 155mm ammunition, including extended-range full-bore (ERFB) projectiles of explosive, cargo and practice types, which are all ballistically matched and with field-fittable base bleed units. The ERFB projectiles provide the G6 with increased range and terminal effectiveness. Using base-bleed projectiles, the G6 has a nominal range of 39km at sea level. As an example of the gun's accuracy, at 75% of the maximum range the probable error specification is 0.48% of the range value and 1mil in deflection.

A five-zone combustible case modular propelling charge system is based on cool-burning propellants which ensure a barrel life of more than 6,000 standard charges. The system is compatible with direct action, electronic timing or proximity type fuses.
G6 howitzer fire control systems

Target data is transmitted from a command and control centre to the commander's station in the crew compartment via a VHF/UHF communications link. The crew activates the gun by pressing an autolay button and the bearing, elevation and engagement data are downloaded to the automatic gun laying system.

The gun laying and navigation equipment comprises a ring laser gyroscope system equipped with a touchscreen control developed by the Kentron division of Denel. The gun has fully autonomous laying and navigation capability with no need for survey and alignment at the gun position. The system can be interfaced to an optional global positioning system (GPS). The system also has a back-up laying system. The gun is fitted with a trunnion mounted telescopic sight for direct firing up to 3,000m.
G6 self-protection systems

The G6 is fitted with eight launchers that fire 81mm smoke grenades. The high strength armour-plate hull protects the crew against small arms fire and shell splinters. The crew are protected against TM46 (or equivalent) landmine blast, 20mm gunfire from the front, and all around counter bombardment fragment and impact by 7.62mm ammunition.
"The G6 155mm self-propelled howitzer is a highly autonomous system with 700km vehicle fuel range."

The driving compartment is fitted with large bullet proof windows with an armoured shutter for the front window. When the armoured shutter is in place the driver uses a periscopic sight.
G6 propulsion system

The air-cooled diesel engine provides a 386kW power output. The six-speed automatic / manual gearbox is fitted with a torque converter. The permanent six-wheel drive has longitudinal and transverse differential locks. The suspension system consists of fully independent torsion bars with shock absorbers and hydro-pneumatic bump stops.

The wheeled mine-protected chassis supplied by BAE Systems Land Systems is capable of a road speed of 85km/h and a cross country / desert speed of 30km/h. The maximum gradient is 40%, trench crossing 1m and the fording depth is 1m. The cruising range on one full tank is 700km.
G6-52 artillery system

Denel completed development of a new artillery system, the G6-52 in March 2003. The system is offered with the Somchem modular charge system (MCS) which can fire the Naschem M2000 Assegai system which includes the V-LAP projectile. With the V-LAP projectile, the system has a range of 67km and a rate of fire of eight rounds a minute. Multiple rounds (up to six) can be fired to simultaneously hit the same target using the ADS (Thales) AS2000 artillery target engagement system. Automated ammunition handling, fuse handling and ammunition inventory reduce crew workload. The G6-52 provides protection against nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) attacks apart from small and medium-calibre weapons.

The G6-52 turret is mounted on a Land Systems OMC 6×6 wheeled vehicle which has an off-road speed of nearly 70km/h and a range of 700km.

State owned aerospace and defence company Denel has secured R5 billion worth of export orders during the 2011/2012 financial year and will execute these over the next five to seven years. It is also pursuing tens of billions of rands worth of future projects.

Denel has numerous domestic and foreign contracts in the works, the group announced during its presentation of its financial results last week. Denel made a R41 million profit during the 2011/2012 financial year ending March 31.

In its annual general meeting report, Denel outlined its cardinal campaigns that require stakeholder support in 2012 and 2013. These campaigns are valued at over R10 billion in 2012 and R15 billion in 2013.

In South Africa, Denel is working on several major projects, including the Hoefyster production contract, which is being undertaken by Denel Land Systems (DLS) – this campaign is valued at R8.4 billion. It will see the South African National Defence Force acquire 264 Badger infantry combat vehicles.

In its synopsis report of Denel’s financial results, auditing firm Ernst & Young noted that Hoefyster is 73% complete and on track, but 6% behind on contractual deliveries, although no penalties have been incurred. “Management is confident that the second phase of the contract will be finalised in 2012/2013.”

Denel Land Systems is also working on the GI-30 CamGun for the Badger and turrets for the Malaysian armed forces. Denel in the last financial year received an advance payment of R448 million for this 348 million euro contract, which will see it supply 69 two-man turrets fitted with the GI-30 30 mm main gun, 54 missile turrets equipped with the GI-30 and Denel Dynamics Ingwe anti-tank missile system, 216 laser-guided Ingwe missiles and 54 remote control weapons systems.

Denel Dynamics is responsible for the A-Darter missile production contract, and values this work at R700 million in 2013. The A-Darter project is 81% complete. In its report, Denel mentioned an A-Darter production contract with Pakistan, valued at R2.6 billion in 2013.

Some of the primary campaigns identified for Denel Integrated Systems Solutions (DISS) include the upgrading of 35 mm guns (worth R350 million in 2012) and the upgrading of the 35 mm air defence system (worth R1 billion in 2013).

Denel Aerostructures, currently producing components for the Airbus A400M, Gulfstream business jet and other aircraft, will be involved in the production of maritime patrol aircraft under Project Saucepan, according to Denel. It will also have a role in the replacement of the South African Air Force’s CASA fleet (under Project Kiepie). Denel noted that the campaign for aerostructures work from Brazil’s Embraer has a value of R170 million for 2012.

The CEO of Denel Aerostructures, Ismail Dockrat, said that good progress was being made on the A400M renegotiations and there would be further opportunities emerging from the confidence Airbus has shown in the company. He said Denel was engaging with other manufactuers, such as Embraer and Bombardier, for more work. “There are quite exciting opportunities we are pursuing,” he said.“We hope to be able to take advantage of commercial sector growth.”

Other domestic work includes a campaign to supply R100 million worth of small and medium calibre ammunition to the South African National Defence Force in 2012 and R200 million worth of ammunition in 2013.

Elsewhere in Africa, Denel aims to supply missiles for Algeria’s recently ordered Meko class frigates (valued at R700 million this year) and upgrade Algerian Mi-171 helicopters (value: R3.3 billion in 2013).

Denel is eying several contracts in the Middle East, including an order for Umbani precision guided bomb kits from the United Arab Emirates (valued at R250 million in 2012). In addition, one of Denel’s campaigns is a R450 million deal in 2013 to supply Seeker 400 unmanned aerial vehicles to the United Arab Emirates, which is believed to be the launch customer for the type. Development of the Seeker 400 is expected to be completed by FY2013 at a cost of R114 million.

Elsewhere in the Middle East, Denel lists Saudi Arabia as the source of a G6 artillery supply contract worth R6 billion in 2013. Meanwhile, Denel Land Systems is gunning for an artillery upgrade in Oman, worth R250 million in 2013.

Other campaigns identified by Denel include mine clearing in Turkey undertaken by Mechem, valued at R30 million this year. Additional Cheetah aircraft and missiles for Ecuador could be worth R180 million in 2013.

In a presentation to the select committee on labour and public enterprises in May this year, Denel identified several orders that it deemed critical to secure, including the Hoefyster project, A-Darter missile and ammunition orders from South Africa, Umbani and A-Darter exports and the second phase of the Ground Based Air Defence System (GBADS). Ernst & Young noted that the GBADS contract is 97% complete.

Denel Aviation is busy with the Rooivalk upgrade programme, which was allocated R78 million for 2012, and R116 million in 2011, according to Ernst & Young. The company noted that Denel Aviaton’s contract regarding Ecuador’s Cheetahs is profitable – it has a five year maintenance supply contract for the aircraft.

Under Project Drummer 2, Denel Aviation is upgrading the communications and navigation systems of the South African Air Force’s Oryx helicopters. Ernst & Young noted that this is an ‘onerous contract,’ with a remaining provision of R35 million. Denel is in ‘ongoing discussions with Armscor’ over the project.

In its May presentation document, Denel revealed that for 2010/2011, 56% of its sales came from South Africa while 19% came from the Middle East, 13% from Europe, 6% from North America, 2% from Africa, 1% from South America and 3% from the Asia-Pacific. The company’s Corporate Office is hoping to develop Venezuela, Vietnam and Africa into sustainable markets.

Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba said that last year the global defence industry was in trouble due to the global economic and financial crisis. Last week whilst briefing the media on Denel’s annual results, he said that the situation had not changed and the industry would be in this situation for the foreseeable future.

Gigaba said that declining defence spending in the United States and Europe is being offset by rising defence expenditure in China, India and the Middle East. The minister added that most Denel business is projected to come from the East and Africa. “Denel will position itself to penetrate the African market. This will require strong and active shareholder support.”

@Thiza....very well SA has a very good defense industry and they have lots of equipment. Now please tell me which war they were in recently? Which peace-keeping mission they have been recently that makes you think they are battle ready? Please don't come up with the media marketing here, discuss what the SA military has done apart from producing weapons. You should also know that the army is under the military, you compare the Nigerian Military with the South African Military not Nigerian Army because of you, trust me Nigerian Army will swallow ur SA army as fast as they can, without the naval force and airforce where you have more advantage, you can't stand Nigerian Army on the battlefield.

@Thiza and my south african brothers, you have a very strong economy and a defense industry that keeps producing good equipment but that doesn't amount that you are the strongest. No country can claim that he has the strongest military power until tested in war. I'm sure even the USA won't forget little Vietnam neither will you (SA) forget Lesotho (if you know you have problems inward, den don't go into a war) you should know that during our own civil war, we won it without any external help and little resources. We have been in many peace-keeping more than any african nations, though we might not produce more equipment as you do, that doesn't mean you can face us in a war. Some of you say that why can't the military tackle BH or MEND (I think they handle MEND properly) you should know that under no circumstance will the military harm her civilians and BH (boko haram) is operating under the disguise of the civilians so they can't just attack the civilians. Even the USA always find it hard when it comes to terroism, you don't just send army to the street when you have the police force, don't guage the Nigerian Army or Military with the Boko Haram terrorist.

You are both weak and don't have the international fortitude to wage a universally supported war. Enough of all this stuff. Focus on development.

Why dose every body bring up lestho. South africa won there even with the super restrictive ROE being out numbered (we never set in that many solders) and all this during a difficult transition time for the SANDF. I mean if we wanted to we could have destroyed lestho.

Has for recent wars. Last war ended 1989 /1990 for us. Has for peace keeping Burrindie (we saved the day there) DRC, Sudan and now south sudan are the main areas. Then there is border patrols.

If jelousy was a yard stick of progress definetly empty vessels like@LARRIDE would have won an olympic gold medal...Unfortunately a war between South Africa and Nigeria wuld never happen so stop comparing apples and oranges.... for South Africa is on the class of its own....ANYWAY KEEP DREAMING AND SPEW YOUR HOT IMAGINATIVE COMPARISON WHICH DOES NOT HAVE ANY OBJECTIVE BASIS FOR ANY CONSTRUCTIVE DEBATE.

Regarding the Lesotho debacle South Africa did not envisage any military confrontation since South Africa never harbour any invasion ambition...yes blank ammo was initial used as no intention of war was expected but after serious engagement was observed. South African army took a serious posture which unfortunately led to nine South African soldiers and nearly 150 Lesotho Defence force killed and Lesotho army was dismantled and incapacitated. The entire operation took 72 hours to complete and order restored......LOOKING AT THE ENTIRE SCENARIO THE OPERATION WAS A COMPLETE SUCCESS. UNLESS SUCCESS HAS A DIFERENT MEANING.

What did it take for Nigerian army to restore stability in Sierre Leone and Liberia......Come WITH FACTS NOT HOT AIR MISPLACED PATRIOTIC EXPRESSION

I've been reading all the responses from all of u, and I must say that most of u are quit misenformed abt militaries xcept for a few how actually knw what ur talking abt.

I'm a former S. African soldier now living in UK and because I have dual citizenship I enrolled for the brittish royal navy and was accepted.

When it comes to modern military warfare including training, tactics and most importantly equipment I must say that S. Africa will outclass Nigeria hands down. Although dew to budget shortfalls in S.A hampers south africas military.

When it comes to manpower nigeria will outnumber any african country trying to invade, but when we talk abt open war over large open spaces not even the US and Brittish forces can match South africa due to there artilary weapon systems that's trully worldclass

South africa is still the only african country knows how to build inercontinental balistic missiles and it would take nigeria 30 years to obtain such a capability.

The recently asteblished S.A space agency has xpressed the desire to restart the rocket program but funding will be a problem due to budget constrains

My fellow Africans brothers if only we can stop this mindset of trying to bring others down we can make this continent untouchable.

With nigeria's size and south african technology incorparated with eritrean/ethiopian never say die attitude no western country will ever try to invade africa. But untill we get out the colonial mindset this will never happen. Africans should stop this petty bullsh..! And work together for the commen good.

When it comes to manpower nigeria will outnumber any african country trying to invade, but when we talk abt open war over large open spaces not even the US and Brittish forces can match South africa due to there artilary weapon systems that's trully worldclass

South africa is still the only african country knows how to build inercontinental balistic missiles and it would take nigeria 30 years to obtain such a capability.

The recently asteblished S.A space agency has xpressed the desire to restart the rocket program but funding will be a problem due to budget constrains

My fellow Africans brothers if only we can stop this mindset of trying to bring others down we can make this continent untouchable.

With nigeria's size and south african technology incorparated with eritrean/ethiopian never say die attitude no western country will ever try to invade africa. But untill we get out the colonial mindset this will never happen. Africans should stop this petty bullsh..! And work together for the commen good.