http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=31001:overberg-test-range-successfully-supports-satellite-launches-from-opposite-sides-of-the-world&catid=35:Aerospace&Itemid=107

altMore proof of South Africa’s ability and willingness to be a player in specifically the international space arena comes from Denel’s Overberg Test Range (OTR), with four specialists deployed in different parts of the world to support satellite launches.

Using locally designed and built mobile telemetry stations, the OTR teams were based in Northern French Guiana, South America and Invercargill, New Zealand.

In South America, Leon Korkie and Deon van der Hoven assembled the mobile telemetry station on site, integrated it with the French Space Agency telemetry kit and participated in qualification of the telemetry network before supporting the second launch of a VEGA launch vehicle (VVO2). OTR provided key coverage for the powered phase of the launch vehicle ascent from shortly after launch at the Guiana space Centre near Kourou until it disappeared over the northern horizon.

The second OTR mobile telemetry station was deployed and prepared by Herman Steenkamp and Nico du Plessis near Invercargill on New Zealand’s south island. After preparation, they returned to South Africa and manning of the station was entrusted to the pair who supported the VEGA launch. This time around they would support the fourth launch of the Automatic Transfer Vehicle (ATV4: Albert Einstein), also from Kourou in South America on an Ariane 5ES launch vehicle.

The more than 20 metric ton ATV4 was a record setting liftoff for Ariane Space. It successfully docked with the international space station on June 15.

“Apart from setting a record for Ariane Space, the launch was also a record for OTR. It was the first time two of our mobile telemetry stations successfully supported different missions on opposite sides of the world,” said Japie Venter, OTR project manager mobile telemetry stations.

OTR is part of the Denel Group, which earlier this month was given care of beleaguered local satellite company Sunspace. This follows the Department of Science and Technology’s R55 million offer to take over the company.

The State-owned defence industry conglomerate is set to take over the intellectual property and the bulk of Sunspace’s staff and operations are expected to continue at its Stellenbosch premises. Indications are a new business unit for Sunspace will be created as part of Denel Dynamics, the Denel Group’s tactical missile, precision-guided weapons and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) specialist.

http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=31002:turkey-orders-husky-mine-detection-vehicles&catid=50:Land&Itemid=105

Turkey has become the most recent customer to order Husky mine detection vehicles, with DCD Protected Mobility about to deliver four to the country.

DCD Protected Mobility General Manager Andrew Mears said that Turkey had expressed interest in the company’s mine detection vehicles since 2004. However, when certain other defence deals with South Africa did not go through around this time, the Husky sale was halted as a result – for example in 2007, Turkey chose Agusta’s A129 Mangusta attack helicopter over Denel’s Rooivalk partly due to political hurdles.

Now, Turkey has placed an order, with three vehicles ready to be shipped and the last one on the production line. Mears said he hoped that all four vehicles would be ready to be shipped to Turkey next week.

He said the Turks would use the vehicle on their southeastern border with Syria, Iran and Iraq, where Kurdish rebels have until recently been fighting for autonomy.

Mears was confident that further orders would be forthcoming.

Turkey will receive the Husky 2G, a two-seat variant. The addition of a second on-board operator allows the Husky driver to focus on vehicle control and situational awareness, while the second operator monitors and analyses the advanced sensor systems and the operational environment.

The Husky VMMD (Vehicle Mounted Mine Detector), previously known as the Chubby system, was developed in the 1970s for the South African Defence Force to clear roads of mines in Namibia and Angola. The system comprises of two Husky vehicles: the first acts as a Mine Detection Vehicle (MDV) (previously a Meerkat). The second vehicle (a Husky) tows a mine-detonating trailer.

The South African Army uses the Meerkat while the Husky system is being used by Canada, the USA, UK, France, Australia, Angola, Kenya, Uganda and Spain. More than 400 Huskies have been sold and as of January 2012, the Husky system had taken 7 000 hits in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, with no mine or improvised explosive device fatalities.

The US Army recognised the Husky vehicle design with an Innovation of the Year Award for 2010.

@craigb lol,sold who out? The libyans or gadaffi? i suggest you freshing up on your diplomatic skills.do you know about.nigerians in libya?Try finding out how many nigerians lived in libya before the war.Arabs are good at propaganda,if you can add up my words then we have an undetstanding.Nigeria sent no force to libya.

drag_on: @craigb lol,sold who out? The libyans or gadaffi?

Both! You sold out Libyans and gadaffi.

Where is Libya now, compared to where it was before Nato? You people should be proud of yourselves.

Leave racist arguments alone.

@craig am sure you are proud of mugabe right? Gadaffi is a bit mugabe and Africa have to protect these dictators,and you hate mandela,cause he supported western sactions against Nigeria over the trial and death of saro wiwa by abacha, or am i wrong? or are you confused in ideology?
Nigerians living in libya were rounded up and called terrorist infiltrators working for gadaffi a classic propaganda to show they were progressing in their war campaign

We are...sky kings

nice pics

patriot4: So now if the photos of your court rooms are not in the internet then your army is bad. You are quite a joker. By the way, here is an "evidence" of courtmartial in Nigeria:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_GEnkpbIU8
Here is one in Ghana:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfYV0JpOlrY
Here is one in Ughanda:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JRufjws2ag
There are many more, just learn how to use Google, it might help.
I am poised to notice your rapid jumps to conclusion and your ill reasoning.
I am also sure that you think you are smart.
I think you are one of those people who think it would be better if Africans didn't have armies and that Africans are not to be trusted with sophisticated weapons.
That is the reason why you were talking about pictures of courtrooms as a substitute to pictures of weapons.
You brought the topic of medical care in the military because you assumed there were no body in our armies with degrees. You think our armies are a bunch of illitrate people.
That is one of the reason I didn't want to respond to you. I have encountered so many people like you that I can easilly recognize your likes even when you put efforts in disguising well.
Let me once again post this video since once again someone ignored all the past posts:
This is how you become a soldier in Nigeria:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqwpEjuAqg8

he was only asking a genuine question and i think we should treat him with respect.

drag_on: @craig am sure you are proud of mugabe right? Gadaffi is a bit mugabe and Africa have to protect these dictators,and you hate mandela,cause he supported western sactions against Nigeria over the trial and death of saro wiwa by abacha, or am i wrong? or are you confused in ideology?
Nigerians living in libya were rounded up and called terrorist infiltrators working for gadaffi a classic propaganda to show they were progressing in their war campaign

You are confused in argument. I am not even going to respond to your unfounded speculation about who I like and hate. I will ask you a simple question: what has the issue of Nigerians living in Libya got to do with Jonathan's conscious, but poorly thought-out vote? It's obvious he was trying to please the West. Now look at how he is treated, in return for his efforts.


PS: I'm glad the moderator came and looked and found my arguments relevant and proper. Thank you moderator.

zaandrew:

Do you even know how depended SADC is on SA.

do you know how dependent ECOWAS is on Nigeria? We wield more power in ECOWAS than you wield in SADC

lets make this simple,type out what nigeria did wrongly and failed to do in libya and how southafrica succeded.if not am out.

@ bcraig lets make this simple,type out what nigeria did wrongly and failed to do in libya and how southafrica succeded.if not am out.

BCraig:

Both! You sold out Libyans and gadaffi.

Where is Libya now, compared to where it was before Nato? You people should be proud of yourselves.

Leave racist arguments alone.

History will never be rewritten to serve any deceitful purpose in your propaganda. South Africans wanted the fall of white minority tyranny and Nigeria and the world supported the motion and today you are free to call yourselves Free Borns of South Africa with equal opportunities. Right? When you forget your history and try to support Ghaddaffi's tyranny and brutal dictatorship over majority of his Libyan population then without apologies South Africa's political and diplomatic credentials are materially flawed. Knowing Nigeria's antecedence from our brutal military juntas we will not sit back as a democratic country and watch citizens of the African continent suffer or denied their voices. The voice of the people is the voice of God and we sided with the majority wishes of Libyans. To the contrary South Africa sold the Libyans and Ghaddaffi's out by trying to pander to personal interests and relationship with Libya's dictator. Unlike South Africa, Nigeria has always made better judgements that benefit the common citizens of Troubled nations. While South Africa supports tyranny in her diplomatic efforts, Nigeria has diplomatically helped to give democratic power to Africa's people. The records are there to guide you CraigB. South Africa so far has been on the wrong side of people-centred diplomatic decisions militarywise and otherwise. So stop all the name calling on Nigeria and President Jonathan.

.

i am enjoying reading all these Intelligent vs F.oolish arguments today, people really firing hot !

.

@NaijaPikinGidi thank you for taking the time and effort to explain to him what i was hoping he would reason out.

drag_on: @ bcraig lets make this simple,type out what nigeria did wrongly and failed to do in libya and how southafrica succeded.if not am out.

With pleasure:

South Africa here --->


JOHANNESBURG, Oct. 28 (Xinhua) -- South Africa, a non-permanent member of the of United Nations Security Council, has expressed support to Resolution 2016 of 2011, which lifts the no fly zone imposed on Libya, the South African department of international relations announced on Friday.

In a media statement, department spokesman Clayson Monyela said Resolution 2016 effectively ends NATO's role as from one minute before midnight on Oct. 31 2011.

He said the other 14 members of United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted the resolution.

South Africa's Ambassador to the United Nations Baso Sangqu said South Africa has taken note of the events of the last few weeks, including the death of Libya's Muammar Gaddafi.

He said South African President Jacob Zuma has pointed out that South Africa would have preferred Gaddafi to be captured and given an opportunity to stand trial in a court of law to answer for his actions.

Sangqu said South Africa hopes that these latest developments will lead to a cessation of hostilities and the restoration of peace.

He said South Africa believes that a lasting and sustainable peace in Libya is only possible through an all-inclusive political process.

This should culminated in the first ever democratic elections in that country in accordance with the roadmap announced by Libya' s National Transitional Council (NTC).

Monyela said South Africa urges Libya's NTC to begin in earnest the process of building national unity and reconciliation as well as the disarmament of all combatants and their reintegration into society.

He added that South Africa remains committed to work together with the African Union, the United Nations, the League of Arab States and the Organization of Islamic Conference to ensure coordinated support to the NTC and the Libyan people in general in their endeavors to reconstruct their country and to bring about democratic, political and socio-economic changes.

______

Nigeria here - >

Fynline: We are...sky kings

nigerian paratroopers ! in-flight dropping...na waah o !

More South Africa here. Making life difficult for the US ---->


India, Brazil and South Africa join Russia in Liby 'No Fly Zone' rejection
India, Brazil and South Africa have put a spoke in the American wheel, which seemed up until Tuesday inexorably moving, turning and turning in the direction of imposing a "no-fly" zone over Libya.

Arguably, the United States can still impose a zone, but then President Barack Obama will have to drink from the poisoned chalice and resurrect his predecessor's controversial post-Cold War doctrine of "unilateralism" and the "coalition of the willing" to do that. If he does so, Obama will have no place to hide and all he has done in his presidency to neutralize America's image as a "bully" will come unstuck.

[link to www.atimes.com]

The Criminal elements are being played at their own game lol


Nigeria? well...long rolled over --->

souldust: do you know how dependent ECOWAS is on Nigeria? We wield more power in ECOWAS than you wield in SADC

Real

So do you supply any ECOWAS countries with electrical power.nope you don't

Ports. Let's see durban, saladhana, cape town, richrds bay, pe are some of the largests ports in Africa never mind SADC

How many ECOWAS countries accept the narria has legal currency. You can use the rand in nambia, botswana, leshto, swaziland, mozimbique and zimbawe to diffrent levels. And it is one way. Even though many SADC countries currency is pegged to the rand so share the same value.

Work. Migrant labours from zimbawe and mozibque make up a larg porstion of our work force. This has not changed even with xenophibic attacks

Goods and servis. SA supplys most of affrica with this. So it is not just SADC

When we compare GDP SADC with out SA is not even half of SA.

We spend arround moe on defense than the rest of SADC combinded

We the largest contrubtore to the SADC stand by brigade and supply all of it's helcopters, arty, para bats and SF

We the largest african investor in africa and one of the largest in the world.

Still think nigeria holds power in. Or is it france that controls the west african region and you by that margine.

BCraig:

With pleasure:

South Africa here --->


JOHANNESBURG, Oct. 28 (Xinhua) -- South Africa, a non-permanent member of the of United Nations Security Council, has expressed support to Resolution 2016 of 2011, which lifts the no fly zone imposed on Libya, the South African department of international relations announced on Friday.

In a media statement, department spokesman Clayson Monyela said Resolution 2016 effectively ends NATO's role as from one minute before midnight on Oct. 31 2011.

He said the other 14 members of United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted the resolution.

South Africa's Ambassador to the United Nations Baso Sangqu said South Africa has taken note of the events of the last few weeks, including the death of Libya's Muammar Gaddafi.

He said South African President Jacob Zuma has pointed out that South Africa would have preferred Gaddafi to be captured and given an opportunity to stand trial in a court of law to answer for his actions.

Sangqu said South Africa hopes that these latest developments will lead to a cessation of hostilities and the restoration of peace.

He said South Africa believes that a lasting and sustainable peace in Libya is only possible through an all-inclusive political process.

This should culminated in the first ever democratic elections in that country in accordance with the roadmap announced by Libya' s National Transitional Council (NTC).

Monyela said South Africa urges Libya's NTC to begin in earnest the process of building national unity and reconciliation as well as the disarmament of all combatants and their reintegration into society.

He added that South Africa remains committed to work together with the African Union, the United Nations, the League of Arab States and the Organization of Islamic Conference to ensure coordinated support to the NTC and the Libyan people in general in their endeavors to reconstruct their country and to bring about democratic, political and socio-economic changes.

______

Nigeria here - >

All of that is after the FACT. Knowing how much your initial decisions to support Libya's dictator had embarrassed your diplomatic position in the world's view you begin to talk from your behinds? Nigeria knows the global politics of Africa and we make decisions, maintain our position and succeed with our position from start to finish. No room for second guessing or dilly dallying. South Africa actually is still smarting from her wrong footing in the Libya debacle. Little wonder Mugabe in a South African SADC is still sleeping (yes, not sitting) tight.

NIgeria's selling out of Gadaffi explained in detail.

Also explained are Nigeria's puppetting.

Read it and weep, puppets of the West.

Chewed up and spat out


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xN97DEF19fc

NaijaPikinGidi:

All of that is after the FACT. .

Oh, but the second post? Well before the fact.

Nigeria cowered even though it had become clear what the no-fly zone was going to be used for.

Watch, read and weep - the video above made by an American - which explains why you are puppets and deserve no respect whatsoever.

NaijaPikinGidi:

History will never be rewritten to serve any deceitful purpose in your propaganda. South Africans wanted the fall of white minority tyranny and Nigeria and the world supported the motion and today you are free to call yourselves Free Borns of South Africa with equal opportunities. Right? When you forget your history and try to support Ghaddaffi's tyranny and brutal dictatorship over majority of his Libyan population then without apologies South Africa's political and diplomatic credentials are materially flawed. Knowing Nigeria's antecedence from our brutal military juntas we will not sit back as a democratic country and watch citizens of the African continent suffer or denied their voices. The voice of the people is the voice of God and we sided with the majority wishes of Libyans. To the contrary South Africa sold the Libyans and Ghaddaffi's out by trying to pander to personal interests and relationship with Libya's dictator. Unlike South Africa, Nigeria has always made better judgements that benefit the common citizens of Troubled nations. While South Africa supports tyranny in her diplomatic efforts, Nigeria has diplomatically helped to give democratic power to Africa's people. The records are there to guide you CraigB. South Africa so far has been on the wrong side of people-centred diplomatic decisions militarywise and otherwise. So stop all the name calling on Nigeria and President Jonathan.

And I was hoping for a direct rebuttal of my comment above. Rather there is a tactical act of blindness to it because facts can never be defeated. News reports can be provided either way. So talk about something else.

NaijaPikinGidi:

So talk about something else.

Typical retort when the truth starts hurting. You Nigerians should not have started the debate.

BCraig:

Oh, but the second post? Well before the fact.

Nigeria cowered even though it had become clear what the no-fly zone was going to be used for.

Watch, read and weep - the video above made by an American - which explains why you are puppets and deserve no respect whatsoever.

In your mind puppets are people who speak boldly to their beliefs and aspirations without fear or favor? Well, look in your mirror and see one of several million puppets in the hands of the western puppet masters. We will liberate you again, this time with the might of the military.

NaijaPikinGidi:

In your mind puppets are people who speak boldly to their beliefs and aspirations without fear or favor? Well, look in your mirror and see one of several million puppets in the hands of the western puppet masters. We will liberate you again, this time with the might of the military.

Speaking bodly with no action = empty vessels.

Your actions prove you to be the biggest puppets in the whole of Africa.

@bcraig That video said nothing,the U.S. gives the whole of Africa millions of $$$ in monetary aid every year/check out the 2011 monetary and military aid to SouthAfrica compared to Nigeria. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_foreign_aid
if you say we sold out ourselves who is worse?What did we sell out?The video says nothing,what a waste of time.That is a poor video.

@bcraig http://www.parade.com/news/intelligence-report/archive/who-gets-us-foreign-aid.html this is aid for 2008
so you see you shake uncles sam hand more than we do.

drag_on: @bcraig That video said nothing,the U.S. gives the whole of Africa millions of $$$ in monetary aid every year/check out the 2011 monetary and military aid to SouthAfrica compared to Nigeria. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_foreign_aid
if you say we sold out ourselves who is worse?What did we sell out?The video says nothing,what a waste of time.That is a poor video.

You gotta be joking! Nigeria is one of the biggest recipients of US AID. Already bought and owned by the US. Leave wiki alone and read here ---> http://www.ibtimes.com/top-10-largest-recipients-us-aid-554022

Two: The video says a lot. We all know you get special treatment on arms procurement from the US. Now, in addition to that, you also get handouts.

No wonder your international relations are skew.

The same US doesn't care to acknowledge you when he visits Africa.


Just so things aren't twisted:

The narrative reads:

Among the top 10 nations, military assistance is generally the largest percentage of the total amount sent, but the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), a federal government agency, also distributes millions in civilian aid to nations across the world.

Click through to see the 10 countries that get the most monetary assistance from the United States.

_____

Yup! Nigeria can't stand on its own two feet. Handouts and puppetting.

drag_on: @bcraig http://www.parade.com/news/intelligence-report/archive/who-gets-us-foreign-aid.html this is aid for 2008
so you see you shake uncles sam hand more than we do.

Outdated. See my link.

South Africa has even been removed from the UK's list come 2015.

drag_on: @bcraig That video said nothing,the U.S. gives the whole of Africa millions of $$$ in monetary aid every year/check out the 2011 monetary and military aid to SouthAfrica compared to Nigeria. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_foreign_aid
if you say we sold out ourselves who is worse?What did we sell out?The video says nothing,what a waste of time.That is a poor video.

Wikpeadia does not show what money went where.

Any case for 2011 nigeria recicved 1.3 million USD in FMA sa recivied 0.8 million. The rest are for aid agencys operating in SA. Most to do with AIDS.

The forghin aid that SA gets is for our C130s and aids awarnce SA it self gives away more money in milltary Aid than it gets.

How ever money is not the only aid. NN will soon be dropped with more USCG cutters. USAAF did some work on your C130s supply transport of cargo to mali and did the same thing in serrir leon, your MT-LBs where payed for by the USA. The level of support given to nigeria by the USA is very high.