₦airaland Forum

Resurgent interest in Saab Grintek Defence naval sensors

The war in Ukraine as well as consistent marketing efforts are seeing surging interest in naval sensor products at Saab Grintek Defence, which has just launched a new laser warning receiver.

Gavin Copeland, Business Development Executive: Naval EW at Saab Grintek Defence (SGD) told defenceWeb that the naval side of the business has been growing very strongly over the last few years, partly as a result of intense marketing efforts, and partly as a result of the war in Ukraine, which has generated “a significant increase in queries and RFPs.” Until the Ukraine conflict there was a need for new naval EW systems, but an unwillingness to spend money, Copeland said, but following Russia’s invasion, heightened demand is being seen across Saab’s air, land and sea products.

SGD has naval customers all over the world, including in Latin America, the Asia-Pacific, NATO, and North Africa. Four NATO countries, including Finland, use surface and subsurface products. “We’ve had some pretty good successes,” Copeland said, “and have a very good pipeline based on the work we’ve done”. A lot of business comes from word of mouth, with satisfied customers sharing their experiences with others. New Zealand is one of SGD’s naval users and the company hopes that it will spread across the channel to Australia.

SGD has built its naval business tremendously over the last quarter of a century, and for a small company of 25 people working on the naval side in Cape Town, “it’s a fairly good achievement, especially being a South African company. All our products are designed and produced in South Africa,” Copeland said, and are as ITAR-free as possible. Being ITAR-free and based in South Africa also means SGD can operate across the whole world, and selling defensive rather than offensive systems makes exports easier.

One of SGD’s key naval products is its Naval Laser Warning System (NLWS), which can be either a standalone system or fully integrated into a vessel’s combat system. It includes a laser waring system for surface vessels and a Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) blue-green laser sensor for sub-surface applications. Sensors are placed around a vessel to ensure adequate coverage, with the number of sensors determined by the size of the vessel. The system, which interfaces with the vessel’s combat management system and electronic support measures (ESM), can provide the bearing, laser classification and identification information required to deploy the necessary countermeasures.

The NLWS features the NLWS 310 laser warning system, which in LWS 310 guise is also used in Saab’s IDAS defensive aids suite for aircraft, and operates across the .5-1.7 nm wavelength to provide threat classification and direction of arrival for laser rangefinders, designators and missile guidance lasers. The LWS series has gone through several versions, namely Mk I, II, and III, with a new high accuracy sensor launched at this week’s IDEX exhibition.

The new LWS 700 allows for the automated detection, classification, and identification of laser-based weapons. Under development for the last three-and-a-half years, it is capable of classifying and identifying laser threats such as target designators or laser rangefinders. With a 1° bearing and elevation accuracy, the sensor is able to support countermeasures, specifically the deployment of hard-kill counter fires. This is a much-improved version of the LWS 310 and offers a bearing accuracy of 7.5°.

A North American based platform OEM (original equipment manufacturer) has already acquired several units.

Copeland emphasised that the older laser warning sensors will not necessarily be redundant, as they will be more cost effective and fit into a specific market segment.

SGD’s NLWS is in service with five nations(55 systems), including with the United Arab Emirates Navy (Baynunah class corvettes), German Navy, and South African Navy. For German frigates, Saab’s radar ESM and laser warning systems are used in combination with Rheinmetall’s Multi Ammunition Softkill System (MASS) decoy system, which guards against both radar and laser-guided threats.

SGD’s other flagship naval product is its naval radar warning/electronic support measures (ESM) system, which has been integrated onto Greek, Portuguese, and South Korean submarines, amongst others – fifteen solutions are in service with three NATO navies. This forms part of the company’s electronic support measures (ESM) and electronic intelligence (ELINT) solutions for surface vessels and submarines, providing rapid detection, classification and identification of emissions. The ESM and ELINT range comprises the SME-50 ESM receiver, SME-150 ESM system with ELINT functionality, and SME-250 ESM receiver with digital ELINT receiver – the latter covers the .5-18 GHz range while the SME-50 and SME-150 cover the 2-18 GHz range. The SME designation is used for surface vessels and UME for subsurface vessels.

These systems can be integrated with the NLWS, MASS or other decoy systems, active ECM systems, and Saab CRS-8000 communications ESM system (Saab Sensor Systems Germany offers the CRS series of naval communications intelligence [COMINT] and communications ESM [C-ESM] solutions).

SGD’s maritime business evolved from its involvement in the South African Navy’s submarine projects, with the company providing electronic warfare solutions for the submarines as well as frigates. “The submarine contract put us on the map today in terms of a radar/ESM perspective. At the time, there were very few companies that made submarine electronic warfare systems, especially for direction finding etc.” Copeland explained.

Almost all product development is internally funded – “gone are the days where we can rely on Armscor and Institute for Maritime Technology funding. The last time we got R& funding was in the 2000s,” he told defenceWeb.

SGD’s naval products are somewhat unique in that they are used in air, land and sea applications as they share common building blocks, although the naval business is smaller than the airborne side. Saab Grintek Defence has for many years manufactured laser warning and missile approach warning sensors, with previous generations being the LWS-310 and MAW 300 respectively. The company recently launched its next generation MAW 400 and LWS-330 for airborne platforms, now in production, with a European customer the first to take these new products.

In addition, Saab Grintek Defence is producing a LEDS 50 MK 4 sensor, which is a 1-degree sensor for land applications. (Land Electronic Defence Systems, or LEDS, is an integrated, modular, active protection system consisting of laser warning sensors, an active defence controller, human-machine-interface and an effector control segment that can launch smoke or cue jammers).

Saab’s laser and missile approach warning systems form part of its integrated defensive aids suite (IDAS) for helicopters, transport aircraft and combat aircraft. IDAS warns against radar, laser and infrared guided threats and automatically deploys appropriate countermeasures such as chaff and flares. IDAS is operational on 30+ aircraft types in more than 15 countries.

https://www.defenceweb.co.za/featured/resurgent-interest-in-saab-grintek-defence-naval-sensors/

Saab launches new IDAS-310 defensive aids suit

Saab has launched the latest version of its Integrated Defensive Aids Suit (IDAS), IDAS-310, which incorporates the latest warning systems developed by the company’s South African business unit.

IDAS-310 was launched at the Associate of Old Crows (AOC) Europe event in Bonn, Germany. According to Saab, IDAS-310 is designed to provide protection for aircraft and helicopters against all types of threats, including radar-guided missiles, anti-aircraft artillery, and other types of radio frequency, infrared, and laser threats.

IDAS-310 includes the ability to provide a combination of Missile Approach Warning (MAW), Laser Warning (LW) and Radar Warning (W), and due to its open architecture, it supports integration with other electronic warfare (EW) solutions.

It includes an updated EW controller with modern processors and interfaces, and a radar warning receiver (RWR) that is able to operate in a modern-day radio frequency environment. The IDAS-310 update includes the MAW-400 Missile Approach Warning capability and the LWS-330 Laser Warning capability (previously it used the MAW-300 and LWS-310 systems). In addition, IDAS-310 incorporates improved Ground Support and Test equipment providing electronic support measures (ESM) and electronic intelligence (ELINT) capabilities.

Speaking recently at AOC Europe, Anders Sjöberg, CEO Saab Deutschland, said that IDAS-310 is a state-of-the-art complete self-protection suite in a compact, lightweight, and highly modular system that integrates sensors, jammers Human Machine Interface (HMI), and countermeasures.

IDAS-310 features advanced digital signal processing, allowing for real-time detection and analysis of threats, and rapid deployment of neutralizing countermeasures. It also provides situational awareness to the aircraft pilot, allowing for better decision-making in high-pressure situations, and can be integrated with the aircraft’s mission systems, providing a seamless flow of information.

“The system’s flexibility and adaptability are a key feature, as it can be installed quickly and easily, minimizing aircraft downtime and reducing costs. The modularity and scalability of the IDAS-310 enables it to be easily integrated into a variety of platforms and adapted for different mission requirements,” said Jan Widerström, President and Managing Director at Saab.

“To provide the best possible protection on the market, IDAS-310 provides the option to integrate with a Directed Infrared Countermeasure (DIRCM) and supports the deployment of Expendable Active Decoys (EAD’s),” he added.

Saab South Africa, through its local footprint Saab Grintek Defence, has for many years supplied its IDAS systems to customers around the world, with more than 30 different aircraft types in over 15 countries using IDAS. India is a big IDAS customer, with more than 200 systems installed on Indian Air Force and Army Dhruv helicopters since 2005.

https://www.defenceweb.co.za/featured/saab-launches-new-idas-310-defensive-aids-suit/

Kikuyu1 would have enjoyed this video.
I miss the bugger and his interventions here - though not his crazy conspiracies .


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VYi4RStCkc

Random SANDF...

Guinea orders more Puma M36s

OTT Technologies has received another order for Puma M36 armoured personnel carriers (APCs) from Guinea, which will use them with the United Nations mission in Mali.

Guinea recently ordered 25 new Puma M36 vehicles after operating previous batches for a number of years. The country received 32 Puma M26s in 2014 from OTT under a R78 million deal, followed by 32 Puma M36s in 2018, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute’s arms transfers database and South African National Conventional Arms Control Committee data.

These Pumas have been used with the UN mission in Mali (Minusma) for several years.

The Pumas join Guinea’s relatively small APC fleet, which includes over a dozen BTR-40s, a dozen BTR-50s, half a dozen BTR-60s, several BTR-152s and a handful of Tigr and Mamba vehicles as well as BRDM-1/2 and AML-90 reconnaissance vehicles.

Guinea has not acquired much new military hardware over the last decade, aside from a couple of WZ-551 APCs from China in 2010; five CSK-131 APCs from China in 2021, and a couple of second hand BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles in 2005. On the aviation side, it has acquired a single second hand SA 330 Puma helicopter from France, and two second hand CN235 transports.

The Puma M36 has proven itself on combat deployments to places like Mali and Somalia. The Puma range has been sold to Guinea, Kenya, Malawi, Niger, Senegal and Burkina Faso.

The M36 is an evolutionary development of the proven M26 and weights between 11 and 14 tons depending on the level of protection. It is typically powered by a 220 hp (165 kW) diesel engine, giving a maximum road speed of 100 km/h and a range of around 800 km. Depending on customer requirements, the Puma M36 can also be offered with 275, 300, 360 and 450 hp Cummins engines with automatic transmissions.

Compared to its predecessor, the M36 features more space, higher protection levels and extra seating and has a payload of up to 3 000 kg. It can be fitted with up to two turrets.

OTT was established in 1980 as a supplier of surplus military equipment. It then began refurbishing military vehicles before moving on to manufacturing new vehicles. Its product lineup includes cash in transit vehicles (which have been exported to places like Nigeria), mine protected vehicles (notably the Puma series), light armoured vehicles and crowd control vehicles.

OTT has bought hundreds of surplus South African military vehicles and offers these for sale after refurbishment. The company has also modified some of these vehicles for different roles – for instance, the Hunter 4×4 patrol and reconnaissance vehicle is based on a Samil 20 driveline. The recent acquisition of LMT Products and the addition of ADG Mobility to the stable has further increased the OTT Group portfolio.

OTT Technologies lists its new-build mine protected vehicle range as comprising the M26, M36 and LM13. Other products include the Bulldog M34 security vehicle, a manual turret, MAN truck bodies, security/cash in transit vehicles and remanufactured Casspirs, Ratels and Samils.

Most recently, OTT Solutions, in partnership with ADG Mobility, and with the support of OTT Technologies, has developed the Ratel Service Life Extension Programme (SLEP) upgrade, which is being offered to the South African National Defence Force and international customers.

https://www.defenceweb.co.za/featured/guinea-orders-more-puma-m36s/

Boko Haram brings IEDs back to Cameroon

Boko Haram’s return to using improvised explosive devices (IEDs) is a major worry for Cameroon’s Far North Region. Until recently, the region hadn’t recorded any major bomb attacks since 8 January 2021, when 15 people were killed in Mozogo. But on 21 March this year, a vehicle belonging to the Rapid Intervention Battalion was hit by an IED in Amchide. One soldier died and six were injured in the attack.

Just one month later, on 24 April, six members of the 42nd Motorised Infantry Battalion were killed when a mine activated by their vehicle exploded on the route linking Itéré, Bavongola and Tchébé Tchébé.

Earlier in the year, on 18 March, a grenade explosion in Djibrili left two people dead and one wounded. Between 18 March and 24 April, the Institute for Security Studies recorded at least six IED-related security incidents in Cameroon’s Far North. These ranged from attempted and successful explosions to infiltrations of suspected suicide bombers into communities.

Three factors may explain this resurgence in Boko Haram’s IED attacks – the counter-insurgency operations carried out by the Nigerian Army and the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), the recent elections in Nigeria, and clashes between the different factions of Boko Haram.

Regarding military operations, two in particular – Harbin Zuma, led by the MNJTF, and Desert Sanity, led by the Nigerian Army – are putting the violent extremists in a difficult position. The extremists are increasingly retaliating with IEDs. On 14 May, MNJTF troops were hit by a double IED attack as they advanced towards an Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) camp in Tunbum Reza. Just two weeks earlier, on 29 April, Operation Desert Sanity troops recovered numerous IEDs intended to halt their advance in areas surrounding Ubaka in the Sambisa Forest.

In addition, the insurgents were said to be planning to disrupt Nigeria’s electoral processes on 25 February and 11 March. However, the Nigerian Army had been preparing to contain this threat, which made it difficult for the insurgents to operate in the country during this period. IEDs intended for attacks were detonated in Cameroon, which is easily accessible given its porous borders.

Moreover, since Boko Haram split into two factions in 2016, these rivals have violently fought against each other. Clashes began to intensify at the start of 2022, forcing them to retreat to their rear bases. For Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’adati wal-Jihad (JAS), this was the Mandara Mountains on the border with Cameroon; for ISWAP, the town of Banki. The movement of these groups back towards Cameroon’s borders could explain the upsurge in IED attacks.

Most of the IEDs are believed to have been produced in Nigeria, where the defence and security forces have shut down and arrested alleged manufacturers several times. A former bomb maker from the JAS faction, who surrendered to the Nigerian authorities in August 2021, explained the extent of this activity in Boko Haram to Radio Ndarason. Insurgent attacks on military barracks also provide them access to combat equipment, including IEDs.

Government players are trying to adapt to this situation. On 23 March, the Prefect of Logone-et-Chari issued a letter to the sub-prefects under his command to warn them of suicide bombers. He instructed them to hold more awareness-raising meetings with civil society to call for greater vigilance among the public. The defence and security forces are carrying out sweeping operations. While these measures are welcome, they would benefit from being supplemented by systematic searches and local networking.

Mine-clearing skills are needed now more than ever among the defence and security forces. As such, the mine-clearance units must strengthen their capacity in this area through additional training. They should also exchange information with their Nigerian counterparts, who are more experienced due to the counter-offensive operations they regularly carry out.

Intelligence and sweeping operations must be stepped up and sustained to deter bombers and their accomplices and to weaken the supply chain for the raw materials used to manufacture bombs. Vigilance committees also need to step up their intelligence and early warning efforts, and civil society organisations should include the threat of IEDs in their awareness-raising activities.

The fight against IEDs must be a critical part of the broader strategy to prevent and address violent extremism.

Written by Célestin Delanga, Research Officer, ISS Regional Office for West Africa, the Sahel and the Lake Chad Basin.

https://issafrica.org/iss-today/boko-haram-brings-ieds-back-to-cameroon

Stargate254:
I've always dreamed of owning an outrageous truck

You'd be able to shunt aside, with nary a bother, any quarrelsome matatu.

Odunayaw:
Hohoho

I'd see if I can get it

The publishers say it's out in a few months, with plans for an electronic version.

Odunayaw, another one for your library.

Stargate254:
I do not see a price tag. How much?

No idea.

Ghana receives Marine Protector class patrol boats from the United States

Ghana’s Navy has taken delivery of two former US Coast Guard Marine Protector patrol boats supplied by the United States under its Excess Defence Articles (EDA) programme.

The two vessels were delivered on 17 June aboard the Ocean Giant at Takoradi Harbour, with the Ghana Navy saying they were donated by the US government to assist the Ghana Navy effectively patrol its maritime domain.

Flag-Officer Commanding the Western Naval Command, Commodore Emmanuel Kwafo, told Citi News the vessels’ arrival will add to the Navy’s capacity to fight against armed robbery at sea, piracy, illegal bunkering, drug and human trafficking, and will help protect Ghana’s fisheries resources. “We are very grateful of the partnership with the US.”

He added that the vessels will be named GNS Aflao and GNS Half Assini.

US Naval Attaché to Ghana, Commander Carlton McClain, handed over the vessels and said Ghana’s Navy plays a critical role in maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, and the delivery will strengthen maritime security in the region. “Ghana is our most important partner, especially in regional security for the Gulf of Guinea and for West Africa. The Gulf of Guinea…is important in terms of trade, and we are happy to assist Ghana in this partnership,” he said.

The Marine Protector class is 27 metres long, with a displacement of over 90 tons. Two MTU diesel engines give a top speed of 25 knots (46 km/h) and range of 1 700 km and endurance of three days. Complement is ten personnel. Armament includes two 12.7 mm machineguns. Boarding parties can be launched while the vessel is underway, through a stern launching ramp; Ghana received two rigid-hull inflatable boats (RHIBS) along with the two patrol boats.

The US Coast Guard had by 2002 received 50 of the boats from Louisiana’s Bollinger Shipyards, but subsequent orders brought the class to a total of 74 ships, plus four for Yemen and Malta. In 2020 the Department of Homeland Security proposed eight Marine Protectors would be decommissioned and sent to US allies like the Philippines.

In 2021, Excess Defence Article transfers of Marine Protector boats were proposed for Uruguay (three), Lebanon (three), and Ghana (two).

Ghana’s Navy has been expanding in recent years, notably with the acquisition of four Flex Fighter offshore patrol vessels that were built in Singapore by Penguin Shipyard. They were commissioned in February 2022. These four vessels were bought to provide dedicated security to the country’s offshore oil and gas installations.

In October 2017 Ghana commissioned into service four Chinese-made patrol boats (985Y), which have a maximum displacement of 8.6 tons, a maximum speed of 38 knots and range of 220 nautical miles. Previously, Ghana has bought Chinese military hardware that includes two 46 metre patrol vessels ordered from Poly Technologies in 2008. The two were commissioned in 2011.

New naval infrastructure is also being added, including multiple forward operating bases across the coastline.

https://www.defenceweb.co.za/featured/ghana-receives-marine-protector-class-patrol-boats-from-the-united-states/

Democratic Republic of Congo emerges as Mwari’s next customer

After selling three Mwari aircraft to Mozambique’s military, Paramount is providing six of the aircraft to the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is also a customer for Paramount armoured personnel carriers.

The Mwari was seen in Mozambican markings at the end of January, and now the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been named as the next customer. During the Africa Aerospace and Defence exhibition in September last year, Paramount just said it had orders for nine from two air forces.

Canadian firm PAL Aerospace will supply intelligence and surveillance systems for the DRC’s and Mozambique’s Mwaris, according to Africa Intelligence. The aircraft will apparently be equipped with Thales Search Master maritime surveillance radars and MX-15 electro-optical/infrared cameras.

The Mwari was under development for over a decade, originally as the AHRLAC (Advanced High Performance Reconnaissance Light Aircraft), and is the first new clean-sheet manned military aircraft in South Africa since the Rooivalk attack helicopter. First flight of the Experimental Demonstrator (XDM) was in July 2014, followed by the Advanced Demonstrator (ADM), which was built for testing weapons and mission systems.

The Mwari is marketed as a relatively inexpensive alternative to high-end military aircraft for surveillance, maritime patrol and counter-insurgency operations. It can also be used for training. The Mwari has been designed to easily perform multiple missions thanks to an innovative Interchangeable Mission Systems Bay (IMSB), located in the belly of the aircraft, providing near-endless sensor and payload options which can be integrated and be swapped out in less than two hours. Open-architecture and flexible systems allows for the quick and low-cost integration of new pods, avionics, cargo, special mission equipment, weapons and sensors.

The PT6 turboprop-powered Mwari has a service ceiling of up to 31 000 feet, and offers a maximum cruise speed of 250 knots, a mission range of up to 550 nautical miles with ordinance and an overall endurance of up to 6.5 hours. The aircraft also offers a short take-off and landing (STOL) capability, with retractable landing gear optimised for both semi and unprepared airstrips or sites.

Sensors and equipment that have already been fitted to the aircraft include Hensoldt’s Argos II electro-optical gimbal, Paramount Advanced Technologies’ 420 sensor ball, Thales’s Avni thermal reconnaissance system, Sysdel’s MiniRaven radar warning receiver, and Reutech’s ACR510 radio, amongst others. Future options could include a synthetic aperture radar (SAR).

The aircraft features an unusual twin-boom, single-pusher-engine, high-mounted forward-swept wing configuration, giving the aircraft an unconventional external appearance and providing for excellent external visibility (Paramount is considering air conditioning for the greenhouse-like cockpit). The two-crew are seated in tandem configuration, both being provided with optional Martin-Baker Mk 16 ejection seats, and full HOTAS (Hands On Throttle-And-Stick) side-stick controls. The rear cockpit is fitted with a 21-inch large screen display.

Mwari has been designed with portable production in mind. The aircraft could, depending on customer requirements, be exported in kit format for final assembly in customer countries and can easily integrate into supply chains around the world, enabling scalable mass production.

In addition to the Mwari, Paramount is supplying its new Maatla light 4×4 protected vehicles to the DRC, with at least six vehicles seen in November last year on their way to the DRC by road. At the time of its launch last year, Paramount said the Maatla (meaning Power in Setswana) had already received orders for 50 vehicles from two customers.

https://www.defenceweb.co.za/aerospace/aerospace-aerospace/democratic-republic-of-congo-emerges-as-mwaris-next-customer/

GSV develops unique Ghost armoured protected vehicle

South African armoured vehicle company Global Specialised Vehicles (GSV) is launching a new vehicle that is somewhat unique in the market as it offers high levels of protection similar to a military-grade armoured personnel carrier (APC) yet can legally be driven on the road, allowing it to be used by commercial security companies for asset protection, security, cash in transit work and more.

The Ghost came about as a result of multiple queries from the public sector, which needed better vehicles that could be acquired and used by civilians. GSV believes the Ghost is the only vehicle in South Africa that offers high levels of protection but is fully road legal and can be driven by anyone with a Code 10 vehicle license. The roadworthy process means the vehicle has to conform to specific size and weight requirements. Its size and weight mean it is capable of being transported in a standard 6 metre ISO shipping container for ease of deployment.

The Ghost is aimed at business and infrastructure protection, but it will be available in seven different variants to meet customer needs, such as armoured personnel carrier, CIT, law enforcement, ambulance etc. The configuration can be easily changed as the vehicle is almost modular. This also means that damaged panels can be changed with little effort.

Development has been funded in-house, but such is demand that GSV already has multiple orders, with clients ranging from mines to companies requiring facility protection. Interest has even been expressed by universities and municipalities, in addition to the private security sector. The police and military are also potential markets. GSV sees future exports outside South Africa, particularly on the African continent. Facilitating this process is the fact that the vehicle can be easily configured in either left or right hand drive layout.

Production is starting immediately, and planned at five to ten vehicles a month, at GSV’s facilities in Germiston. The vehicle’s materials (armoured steel and glass) are supplied by accredited and certified suppliers. GSV does not need large orders for the vehicle to be viable, and says it can build even one profitably.

The first vehicle has nearly been completed, and this is in APC configuration, fitted with four side doors, and one rear door. In addition to driver and co-driver, ten people can be seated in the rear. It also has gun ports, roof hatches, and a surveillance mast that can be extended to see over walls and other obstacles, or stowed flat. The optional mast is fitted with a low light level TV (LLTV) camera with 35 x magnification, and a thermal imaging camera, allowing for day and night use. A second vehicle, also in APC configuration, will be completed around May/June

The baseline Ghost comes with B6 level protection but additional armour can be fitted depending on customer requirements. The CIT version will have specialised protection designed to mitigate the explosives used to blast open lightly armoured CIT vehicles. GSV said there is no specification for CIT blasts, but the company will ensure adequate testing for this. The CIT variant will be developed and tested in the next five to six months.

Keeping costs down is a critical requirement for the vehicle, as it is aimed not at the military market with higher budgets but the very cost-conscious private security industry. One key way GSV is keeping costs down is by using an Isuzu drivetrain. This also means that maintenance can be done almost anywhere, and spares are widely available. GSV evaluated a number of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) before settling on Isuzu, as Isuzu is 100% on board with GSV.

A variety of diesel engines are available for 4×2, 4×4, manual and automatic configurations, and give the 6 ton vehicle a top speed of 120 km/h, and a range of 500 km, but range can be doubled with an extra fuel tank.

The Ghost is designed to have high levels of comfort and useability, and features air conditioning, electronic mirrors with cameras, two 17 inch cabin screens, and a tablet docking station, amongst others. Strobe lights are fitted standard along with a 6 ton winch, but optional extras include runflat tyres and a pepper spray deployment system.

GSV was established in 2015 as a specialist fitting armour to luxury vehicles, providing discreet protection from B4 (hand guns) to B6 (assault rifle) levels and higher. The company envisions a 50:50 production split between the Ghost and armouring luxury and other vehicles.

https://www.defenceweb.co.za/featured/gvs-develops-unique-ghost-armoured-protected-vehicle/

Botswana, Namibia launch Hanganee II joint exercise

Namibia and Botswana have kicked off the joint military exercise Hanganee II, which is being held in Namibia.

The exercise, under the theme Enhancing Joint Cooperation, runs from 15 to 30 June in Gobabis, Namibia. The official opening took place this week in the Omaheke Region in east/central Namibia.

The Botswana Defence Force (BDF) said the exercise follows the recent signing of the Status of Force Agreement (SOFA) on military cooperation and collaboration between the BDF and Namibia Defence Force (NDF).

“The Joint Training Exercise is aimed at strengthening military to military strategic partnership between the BDF and NDF and it comes through as part of the implementation of resolutions for the 22nd Session of the Republic of Botswana and Republic of Namibia Joint Permanent Commission on Defence and Security (JPCDS) held in Gaborone in 2012. Exercise Hanganee, as it is called in the Republic of Namibia, or Exercise Tshwaragano as it is called in the Republic of Botswana, is a biannual exercise which is conducted every two years on a rotational basis on a shared responsibility between the two armed forces. The exercise (Ex-Tshwaragano) was first conducted in the Republic of Botswana, hosted by BDF in August 2014,” the BDF said in a statement.

Botswana has hosted the exercise on two occasions while Namibia has hosted it once in the past. The continuity in hosting the exercise was disrupted by the outbreak of COVID-19 Pandemic. “With the world emerging from this pandemic, acting in accordance with Decision 75 of the Inaugural Botswana Namibia Bi-National Commission, held in Gaborone from 05 to 09 September 2022, the two sister Defence Forces agreed to resuscitate the exercise conduct,” the BDF said.

https://www.defenceweb.co.za/land/land-land/botswana-namibia-launch-hanganee-ii-joint-exercise/

Zambia retrieves helicopters bought through the proceeds of crime in South Africa

Zambia has recovered two helicopters bought illicitly from South Africa by former Zambian foreign affairs minister Joseph Malanji with $5 million of laundered money.

The two aircraft, a Bell 430 (ZS-RZA) and a Bell 206 (9J-GAC), were in 2021 sold to Malanji by two South African companies, respectively National Airways Corporation (NAC) and MML Aviation.

Malanji was in December 2021 arrested for possession of property suspected to be proceeds of crime. At the time of his arrest, he was accused of possessing the Bell 430 helicopter valued at about $1.4 million as well as three properties suspected to have been bought from proceeds of crime. Malanji was jointly charged and arrested with former Secretary to the Treasury Fredson Yamba over an irregular transfer of over 154 million kwacha to the Zambian mission in Turkey. Malanji is accused of laundering $5 million in Zambian state funds earmarked for the purchase of a property for Zambia’s embassy in Turkey.

This week, South Africa’s Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) worked with its counterparts in Zambia and Zimbabwe to recover the two helicopters – the first arrived from Zimbabwe earlier this week, from where it was flown by Zambia Air Force pilots. It touched down at the Zambia Air Force’s base in Lusaka on 18 June, witnessed by Director of Public Prosecutions Gilbert Phiri and Drug Enforcement Commission Director General Nason Banda, ZNBC News reported.

https://www.defenceweb.co.za/aerospace/aerospace-aerospace/zambia-retrieves-helicopters-bought-through-the-proceeds-of-crime-in-south-africa/

Zambia Air Force deploys force protection unit to Mozambique as it scales up SAMIM participation

The Zambia Air Force (ZAF) has been supporting the Southern African Development Community Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) with its C-27J Spartan transport aircraft and is now scaling up its contribution with the deployment of a force protection Regiment Unit.

Speaking during the sendoff parade ZAF Commander, Lieutenant General Colin Barry, said his Command was committed to supporting the Zambian Government’s peace efforts to stabilize the Cabo Delgado region of Northern Mozambique.

“Currently, the Zambia Air Force is the only Service from the Zambia Defence Force deployed under SAMIM. We will continue service the Mission with airlift capability through the employment of the C-27J. The Regiment Unit being deployed today will be responsible for base protection and security of storage facilities and air asserts,” Barry is quoted by the ZAF as saying.

Barry said SAMIM had registered numerous achievements including the recapture of villages, dislodging of terrorists from their bases, creation of safe passage for humanitarian aid and facilitation the return to a normal life for Internally Displaced People (IDPs).

ZAF Chief of Operations, Brigadier General Arthur Kalaluka said he was confident that the Unit was combat capable following vigorous pre-deployment training. He added that it was expected to maintain its combat capability throughout the tour of duty in the mission area.

The ZAF deployed a C-27J aircraft to SAMIM at the beginning of 2022, using the aircraft to transport cargo for the mission. In January 2022, a C-27J airlifted over 50 000 kilogrammes of cargo for the South African National Defence Force from Waterkloof Air Force Base in Pretoria to Mozambique, among other SAMIM assigned tasks.

“Zambia has a proud history of engaging in peacekeeping efforts with the United Nations, dating back to 1988 when the country first deployed peacekeepers to Iraq. Currently, Zambia has a significant number of troops deployed in various peace operations with the majority in the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA),” Barry said earlier this month during a meeting with UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix.

Zambia has pledged to provide more assets for peacekeeping operations in Africa.

https://www.defenceweb.co.za/aerospace/aerospace-aerospace/zambia-air-force-deploys-force-protection-unit-to-mozambique-as-it-scales-up-samim-participation/

Shaytun:
Look at what a Ukrainian official is saying about the trip.

We have different understandings of the term "official". That's not to say I disagree with the Ukrainian political analyst.
For the official Ukrainian view, see here:
https://www.thebrenthurstfoundation.org/news/ukraine-foreign-minister-dmytro-kuleba-speaks-out-on-african-peace-initiative-and-negotiating-from-strongest-position-possible/


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzhXEWy7vkg

Shaytun:
A meaningless trip.

We Africans need to start treating ourselves with respect.

I agree. Zelensky told Ramaphosa in a phone call what his conditions are, and so did Putin. Not acceptable to either side, and therefore no prospect of any agreement. After those phone calls, the whole thing should have been canned.
In fact, the Egyptian, Congolese and Ugandan presidents pulled out, only sending representatives.

President Ramaphosa arriving in Warsaw, Poland, ahead of trip to Kyiv.

Denel working on R18 billion order book as turnaround strategy is implemented

With its factories resuming production after a hiatus of several years, Denel is working on its R18 billion [$980 million] order book and targeting R30 billion [$1.6 billion] in new business.

Last month the Department of Public Enterprises said that Denel has a ‘robust’ order book, which stands at R18.37 billion for 2023/24, while planned total sales are projected to be R2.08 billion, compared with R1.08 billion in the 2022/23 financial year.

Denel Chief Restructuring Officer Riaz Saloojee told defenceWeb that orders at the moment are not a problem, and that Denel has more than enough business and enough outstanding work to keep the company busy for the next two years. However, it will need to secure orders after that.

He said that Denel’s artillery and missile systems are still world leaders and Saloojee is confident Denel can get Badger infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) production back on track for the South African Army. Similarly, the company hopes to resume Project Kamas, for the supply of A-Darter air-to-air missiles to the South African Air Force. “We will have to work with industry here,” Saloojee said, as Denel will try and use private companies to assist with manufacture as many skilled personnel have left Denel Dynamics. This Saloojee believes, is “a new philosophy of doing business.”

Denel Integrated Systems Solutions (DISS) has made good progress on the Ground Based Air Defence System (GBADS) for the South African Army, and is waiting for the next phase of this. The entity is picking up its old strategy of taking system design skills and focussing on other areas, such as border security and infrastructure protection. It is talking to Transnet and Prasa, especially regarding the securing of coal terminals.

Denel in August last year finally settled outstanding salaries, using R992 million from the Denel Medical Benefit Trust to do so. In March this year, it received R1.8 billion in bailout funding from National Treasury, and is using this to resume production (another R1.5 billion is being withheld while Denel proceeds with the sale of remaining non-core assets as part of its turnaround plan, including property, Denel Gear Ratio, and its Hensoldt stake). Saloojee said that as production restarts, Denel hopes to become self-reliant and not dependent on further bailouts. He said the key fundamentals are in place, and Denel just needs to maintain its skills base.

Saloojee told defenceWeb that Denel had stopped the bleeding and is now aiming to grow the business. “Denel has absolutely turned a corner. We still have significant challenges especially regarding skills.”

The Department of Public Enterprises and National Treasury are supporting the company, which also has the full backing of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), he said. The company still needs to restore trust with its suppliers, however. Denel is reliant on local suppliers and wants to tell them that it is able to work with them again.

“We should take a South Africa Incorporated approach,” Saloojee said, adding that he also wants to see support from entities like Armscor and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

Various delegations in recent weeks and months have been visiting Denel to see progress on its turnaround. In March, the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Defence conducted an oversight visit at Denel Aeronautics and in early April, the Military Command Council paid a visit to Denel to strengthen ties between Armscor, Denel, and the SANDF.

May was particularly busy, starting with a military attache delegation touring the company’s facilities on the fourth in what Denel said was its first annual attache day. On 12 May, Public Enterprise Deputy Minister Obed Bapela conducted an oversight visit at Denel Land Systems and Pretoria Metal Pressings to see turnaround activity first hand – that same day, Denel hosted 400 members of the SANDF, including senior members of the Military Command Council. Other delegations came from Kenya and Ghana, and were followed by members of the Nigerian Armed Forces Command and Staff College who visited Denel Land Systems. On 23 May Denel and Hensoldt South Africa welcomed the SA Naval Staff College Junior Staff and Warfare Course 92 (JSWC) at the Denel Irene Campus.

Denel officials said that many delegations have approached Denel without invitation from the company, indicating strong interest in developments at the State-Owned Entity. Denel also plans to host product demonstrations for potential clients and as it makes itself more visible, has been taking part in defence exhibitions around the world. It was at the September 2022 edition of Africa Aerospace and Defence, and IDEX in the UAE in February.

More recently a Denel delegation, along with Defence Minister Thandi Modise was in Brazil for LAAD in April. Company officials were due to attend the LIMA exhibition in Malaysia in May. If the company does not have a stand at exhibitions, it will at least send representatives, particularly in African markets. Saloojee said the significant opportunities in Africa were important for the development of the continent and its peace and stability.
https://www.defenceweb.co.za/industry/industry-industry/denel-working-on-r18-billion-order-book-as-turnaround-strategy-is-implemented/

Denel finally posts profit as turnaround kicks into high gear

Denel has, for the first time in years, posted a profit, with earnings of R390 million before interest and tax for the year ending March 2023, it told Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) on Wednesday 14 June.

Denel reported a loss of R1.5 billion in 2020; a loss of R859 million in 2021; and a loss of R747 million in 2022. Denel last made a profit, of R395 million, in the 2015/16 financial year, before the effects of state capture and subsequent mismanagement took their toll.

In briefing SCOPA on key developments at the company, including the status of its turnaround plan, the status of its annual reports, and irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure, Denel also revealed that it plans to finalise the appointment of its Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) and Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO) by October this year.

Board Chair Gloria Serobe told SCOPA that until recently it was difficult to attract top management talent to the embattled state-owned company but now it aims to fill critical vacancies by 31 August and have built leadership and capacity by year-end (headcount dropped from 2 587 in 2021 to 1 670 in 2023).

Denel is optimistic about its turnaround and future prospects, and in a statement following the SCOPA briefing said, “The restructuring of Denel will be completed within the next six months which will reposition the state-owned defence and technology company to efficiently execute existing orders and grow its business through the existing opportunity pipeline.”

Since the 2020 financial year, Denel has remained insolvent and with poor liquidity, in spite of receiving R416 million, R3.03 billion and R205 million in FY2021, FY2022 and FY2023 respectively. R992 million was last year unlocked from the Denel Medical Benefit Trust (DMBT) and in March this year Denel received R1.8 billion in bailout funding from National Treasury, and is using this to resume production (another R1.5 billion is being withheld while Denel proceeds with the sale of remaining non-core assets as part of its turnaround plan, including property, Denel Gear Ratio, and its Hensoldt stake).

The DMBT and recapitalisation allowed Denel to successfully defend liquidation applications by suppliers, including Saab Grintek, and asset attachments by unions and employees. The extra funds are now mainly being used as working capital to restart operations and “normalise labour relations”. This recapitalisation has “allowed significant progress to be made on implementation of the sustainability phase of the turnaround plan. The balance of the funds will largely be spent to clear legacy obligations and support the growth phase of the plan,” Denel told SCOPA.

Legacy obligations amount to R521 million and cover the Airbus A400M contract, the failed delivery of vehicles to Chad, T5-52 howitzers, and a Democratic Republic of Congo contract, amongst others.

Denel also owes R600 million to Armscor, R75 million to the South African Revenue Service (down from R908 million), and creditors R753 million (down from R963 million). Exiting loss-making contracts will cost R118 million.

New capability areas

Denel interim chief executive Michael Kgobe said Denel is migrating to a new operating model and this will see Denel comprising four “capability areas” – guided weapons, integrated systems solutions (ISS), landward systems and air.

Existing Denel operating divisions will be arranged to fit in with this structure and be accompanied by a reduction in the company’s property footprint as well as what the statement says is a “rationalisation of facilities”.

Denel’s Lyttelton, Centurion, campus will be the primary site of the landward business and will see Denel Vehicle Systems (DVS) in Benoni relocated to the Denel Land Systems campus. “The once off cost to relocate and restore the DVS capability at the Lyttleton facility is estimated to be around R46 million with an annualised benefit of R68 million and a return from the sale of the property expected to be approximately R80 million,” Denel told SCOPA.

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) will be consolidated into the air capability area based at Denel’s Kempton Park campus as there is overlap with Denel Aeronautics, at Kempton Park, and Denel Dynamics, in Irene. The once-off cost to relocate and restore the UAV capability at the Kempton Park facility is estimated to be around R3 million with a return from the property expected at R40 million. An overall reduction of the Irene footprint is expected to save/earn up to R60 million a year going forward.

Denel Integrated Systems Solutions (ISS) will become a separate division to grow Denel capabilities in advanced technologies diversifying into cyber and civil security solutions.

Shared services will see rationalisation of resources and costs in support functions including human resources, business development, supply chain management as well as information and communication technology (ICT).

Denel said it is confident that it can secure new orders by March 2024 and that the company will be fully back on a growth trajectory by the middle of next year.

“Whilst revenues remain at conservative levels, the improved financial position following the recapitalisation of the business by the Shareholder to deal with the repayment of government guaranteed debt as well as other legacy obligations and working capital to restart operations positions the business to enter a growth phase through the unlocking of the opportunity pipeline and improved efficiencies and productivity. Further unlocking of cash into the business will be realised through the sale of non-core assets,” Denel said.

Irregular expenditure

Denel’s irregular expenditure stands at R3.2 billion, including legacy amounts and covers entities liquidated or being liquidated (LMT: R700 million, and Aerostructures: R250 million).

Serobe told SCOPA there has been “quite a lot of work done” to reduce irregular expenditure while dealing with legacy amounts; annual incurred irregular expenditure decreased by 98% since April 2018.

Irregular expenditure for the 2023 financial year stood at R20.193 million. The main contributors to this were deviations from competitive bidding processes (R9.6 million) and tax clearance certificates not being obtained (R10.17 million).

Annual reports

Regarding its outstanding annual reports, Denel told SCOPA that the timeous submission of annual financial statements for FY2021 and FY2022 “was not achieved due to the high turnover of personnel in Denel as a result of non-payment of salaries. Furthermore, AGSA [Auditor General of South Africa] was unable to commence with the audit until some payment was made as it was owed fees from the previous years.”

Denel added that the 2021/21, 2021/22 and 2022/23 reports have been submitted to the AGSA for audit and after paying the AGSA in March, auditing has commenced. This process will be completed at the end of June and Denel will then advise when all three annual reports will be tabled.

Denel has been chastised for failing to submit its annual reports, as well as failing to appear before SCOPA on 6 June. Serobe apologised for missing the last meeting, saying Denel was informed of its need to be at SCOPA late, and its executives were travelling. The fact that the meeting was a physical one in Cape Town made it even more difficult to attend. Serobe said Denel has in the past never missed a meeting but SCOPA chair Mkhuleko Hlengwa was not happy with this response and thought adequate notice was given for Denel appear through a letter to the Department of Public Enterprises. He threatened to contact board members directly in future if necessary to ensure SCOPA attendance.

https://www.defenceweb.co.za/featured/denel-finally-posts-profit-as-turnaround-kicks-into-high-gear/

SA/US defence committee meeting was “robust”

This month’s South Africa/United States (US) defence committee meeting was marked by “robust and candid conversations” according to Pentagon spokesman Major Pete Nguyen.

The major is quoted in a US Department of Defence (DoD) statement released by the US government.

Agenda topics were defence policy in Africa; security co-operation; countering violent extremism; women, peace and security programming and maritime security. The talks reaffirmed the two countries’ commitment to strengthening bilateral defence co-operation between the US DoD, its South African counterpart and the SA National Defence Force (SANDF).

The 20-strong South African delegation was led by Acting Secretary for Defence (SecDef), Dr Thobekile Gamede. SANDF Chief of Staff (CoS) Lieutenant General Michael Ramantswana was also part of the “senior officials and DoD subject experts” making up the delegation.

The South African/ US defence relationship has its origin in a 1995 defence co-operation agreement. Meetings are held annually, alternately in each country with South Africa due to host the 2024 event.

Minister Thandi Modise’s DoD had not commented on the meeting at the time of publishing.

https://www.defenceweb.co.za/sa-defence/sa-defence-sa-defence/sa-us-defence-committee-meeting-was-robust/

Shaytun:
Chadian Air Force Mi-171 (Reg: TT-OAO) heavily armed with 6x B8V20 rocket pods that fire 80mm S-8 unguided rockets and AN-74-200.

That's 120 rockets!

Jl115, what you were saying about the Opposition spokesman on defence: this was Simonstown last week, a few days after he again said not a single Lynx is flying!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbaX_Vk6O2E

Zambian Army in the Central African Republic.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2KzxMD6fTM

Indian and Portuguese naval vessels visit South Africa

South Africa is currently hosting naval vessels from two nations, with the Indian Navy frigate INS Trishul in Durban and the Portuguese patrol ship NRP Setúbal and submarine NRP Arpão in Cape Town.

Coinciding with the Portuguese vessels being in port, the President of Portugal Rebelo de Sousa is in South Africa for a State Visit and will celebrate Portugal Day on 10 June. According to an SABC report, Portugal’s president visits a different country to celebrate the Day of Portugal with the Portuguese Diaspora. There are approximately 500 000 South Africans of Portuguese descent and about 200 000 Portuguese nationals who reside in SA permanently, serving as an important economic link between the two countries.

The patrol vessel NRP Setúbal is 84 metres in length, and has a displacement of 1 850 tons. She has diesel-electric propulsion, and is powered by two Wärtsilä diesel engines, producing 5 200 bhp (3 900 kW), providing power to two electric motors, which drive two controllable pitch propellers for a maximum patrol service speed of 21 knots. For added manoeuvrability she has a bow transverse thruster.

Built in Portugal, the ship was commissioned in 2019 as one of ten proposed vessels. NRP Setúbal is the fourth in the class. She has a complement of 42 crew and is designed as a non-combatant ship and is therefore lightly armed.

NRP Arpão is a Tridente-class attack submarine and is currently on a 13 000 nautical mile voyage that has taken her for the first time south of the equator. She is visiting Cape Verde, Brazil, South Africa, Angola, and Morocco, which is the longest ever Portuguese submarine deployment.

The boat displaces 1 700 tonnes surfaced and has a length of 67.7 metres and width of 6.35 metres. Her speed is 20 knots submerged and 10 knots on the surface. The submarine was built by HDW and was laid down in 2005.

Her propulsion consists of two AIP Siemens Sinavy (BZM-120) generators, two MTU 16V396 TB-94 diesel engines, one Siemens Permasyn electric engine, and has a speed of 20 knots submerged and 10 knots surfaced. Her range is 12 000 nautical miles at 8 knots with an endurance of 60 days.

NRP Arpão has a crew of 35 and was commissioned in 2010. She is commanded by frigate captain Taveira Pinto.

The third foreign naval ship to visit South Africa is the Indian Navy frigate, INS Trishul, which arrived off Durban on 6 June. The ship is on an operational deployment in the Indian Ocean and just sailed from Mombasa after a visit to Kenya.

INS Trishul is the second frigate of the Talwar class within the Indian Navy. Built in Russia as a modified Krival III class and commissioned in June 2003, she incorporates stealth technologies together with a hull designed to reduce the ship’s radar cross section.

The frigate displaces 4,035 tons loaded and has a length of 125 metres and width of 15.2m. Powered by two DS-71 cruise turbines and two DT 59 boost turbines, the ship can achieve a speed of 30 knots. Her crew complement totals 180 personnel, including 18 officers.

Her main gun is a 100mm A190E and is supported by two Kashtan CIWS ships guns and two torpedo tubes. The ship’s armament also includes anti-air and anti-ship/land missiles and a number of cruise missiles.

INS Trishul first visited Durban on 8 September 2003.

https://www.defenceweb.co.za/featured/indian-and-portuguese-naval-vessels-visit-south-africa/

QuietMynd:
Maybe if u have any ball left in ur sack u would have quoted the person's post directly but as a coward bitch that u re, u can't summon the courage.
Poor sissy.

bendeniceguy:
"low esteem" you wrote!! You always lurking around most Nigeria defenxe websites posting mostly anti Nigerian trash gives you away as suffering from extrene levels of "low esteem". Always hanging around the internet and looking for any anti Nigeria comment to thumb up gives you away everytime. I will bet my last buck that you are a black south African with such extrenely low level of self esteem that writting and up thumbing every trash about Nigeria is all that makes life meaningful for you.. Take a break from here cus you are putting off a load of good folks from making meaningful contributions here. Go thump chest elsewhere chump

There was a time here, not too long ago, when any Nigerian expressing certain opinions was accused of "low esteem".
I thought such infantile behaviour was a thing of the past. Alas, it seems there's a new insecure cohort that assigns new nationalities to those who dare think differently for themselves.