₦airaland Forum

GreenandGold, air shows are one of the few things where you inland people have an advantage!
Are you at the SAAF Museum Airshow 2023?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9Ka4diMQC8&feature=youtu.be

Shaytun:
Even though we don’t like the messenger, the information they are passing is what’s happening in DRC.

A few months since the EAC deployment and failure is proclaimed? Bunkum.
Take a look at a map and take in the size of eastern DRC. Plus the fact you have over 40 different armed groups there; most of whom are civilians by day and pillaging marauders by night. Coupled with some working with and for the DRC govt, and therefore can't be disarmed by external actors like the EAC or Monusco.
Then there's Rwanda, sponsoring M23 whilst a member of the EAC. Chadian and Central African Republic rebels have also been known to raid whenever the whim takes them.

The problems in the Kivus are complex and require a DRC govt with complete impartiality with no favourites. Anybody expecting quick resolution is naive at best and dissembling at worst.

Should the EAC not report its successes somewhere because there are attacks elsewhere?
This article is superficial BS by a parachuted journo driven more by an agenda, than enlightening his readers.

So, when "Africa Intelligence" - French intelligence masquerading as journalism/analysis - isn't talking up their Rwandan puppets in Moz by dumping on SAMIM, they're covering their puppets' pillaging of the DRC by excreting on the EAC regional force.

The original of this BS is behind AI's paywall, but France24 published it as is:

East African force fails to quell rebels in DR Congo
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230427-east-african-force-fails-to-quell-rebels-in-dr-congo

Stormtrooper11:
Godforbid we get Tejas instead of J 10c.

Are you guys responding to that clown's hallucinations, seriously?

Yahoonovich:

Take this horse-manure elsewhere!

GreenandGold:
What other assets are for sale at Denel? maybe I could take 2

I mean look at that shiny Cheetah

There can't be more than a handful of Cheetahs left. They recently sold 12 to Draken, for the US Air Force aggressor program.

You'd have more luck buying IP, as the turnaround strategy calls for them to sell IP for systems SA doesn't have funds to produce. The sticking point seems to be who the money goes to, Denel or Armscor. And the relevant minister, Gordhan, seems to be in no hurry to resolve the impasse.

GreenandGold:
...........or you can say "Hey dude, we avoid posting anything Rwandan here"

Now that you mention it.

Shaytun:
SA doesn’t have a production line for MK7 and MK7x??

No. Denel decided to consolidate on the RG31, and Reumech licenced Mamba production to others, when it got out of the vehicle business.

Shaytun:
Al-shabab Ambushes Ugandan Army In Mozambique, seizing weapons.

Somalia, not Mozambique.

Shaytun:
Rwandan Army Artillery. ATMOS-2000, a PLZ-89, an RM-70 and an SH-1.

These pics have been posted here before.

Shaytun:
South african made Mamba MK7 MRAP vehicles and UAE made Inkas Hornet armored personnel carriers of the Togolese military.

Mamba MK7 is made in the US under licence, by Osprea Logistics.

...fin.

Beni - DRC: MONUSCO and FARDC Restore Order in Rebel Prone National Route No. 4 - From Kenya Defence Forces on Facebook

The United Nations Organisation Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) troops and the National Congolese Army (FARDC) jointly planned and conducted a series of robust operations this week in Apetina-Sana forest; a refuge of the armed group Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) 50 km from the city of Beni in North Kivu, DR Congo.
The operation, dubbed "NIRMUL" or destruction in Nepali, mobilized 3 companies of peacekeepers from MONUSCO as well as special units from the Quick Reaction Forces of Kenya, Nepal, Tanzania and South Africa.
The operation took place in the thick forest of Apetina, particularly in the area from Oicha to Mamove, passing through Mayi-Moya, BaoBa and Apetina
The objective was to neutralise and destroy ADF elements and reduce the number of human rights abuses against civilians.
The operation made it possible to restore the authority of the State in the area and to facilitate the return of the populations to their homes which they had abandoned because of the resurgence of attacks.
Following the successful completion of the operation, FARDC are currently committed in continual mop-up operations to deter resurgence of ADF elements in the general area of Apetina.

DoD continues to carry out defence research and development in spite of funding shortfall

The South African Department of Defence (DoD) continues to invest in research and development projects for the national defence force, ranging from radar to vehicle electric drive and target drones in spite of a R560 million funding shortfall over the next three years.

Brigadier General Andre Barends, Director Technology Development, briefed Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Defence (JSCD) last month on defence research and development funding.

He explained that the role of the Directorate Technology Development (DTD) is to direct research and technology development for SA National Defence Force (SANDF) needs by establishing programmes in line with the 2015 Defence Review. “This technology base will support the SANDF in the development of new equipment with superior performance, upgrades and life extension programmes, operational problem solving, specification, test & evaluation of sophisticated equipment as well as trend and impact analysis of technological developments.”

Over the next three years, over R1.7 billion has been allocated to defence technology development: R569 million in 2023/24; R601 million in 2024/25, and R598 million in 2025/26. This compares with R613 million in 2015/16, a peak of R723 million in 2018/19 and R472 million in 2021/22. For 2022/23, defence research and development spending amounted to R590 million.

However, total projected requirements are underfunded by nearly R200 million a year, with a R221 million shortfall in 2023/24; R154 million shortfall in 2024/25, and a R192 million shortfall in 2025/26.

Barends in his presentation to the JSCD gave an overview of some of the funded research and development (R& D) projects over the next three financial years. For the landward force, R238 million will be spent on Projects Tangent, Template, and Konya for propellants, guidance, fuses, terminal effects; electric drive for vehicles; and passive and active armour protection.

The Special Forces will receive R105 million over the next three years, with Project Ubuntu covering sensing (night operations), explosives, mobility (escape and evasion), and communication (detection and counters).

For the South African Air Force, R272 million will be spent on Projects Venture, Projection and Lobby, which cover fly-by-wire technology, air weapons, sensors (communications intelligence, electronic intelligence and jammers) and a hostile fire indicator. Good progress has been made on the hostile fire indicator using radio frequency technology and it will be fitted onto A109, Oryx and Rooivalk helicopters.

On the maritime side, Navy defence research and development funding to the tune of R233 million over three years will cover projects Flagg and Prospective for above and below water detection (radar, electro-optics and sonar), self-protection and ‘environmental characterisation’.

R154 million in funding for the SA Military Health Service will be directed towards chemical and biological protection (decontamination), ergonomics, and medical health (high-intensity focused ultrasound).

Project Indicate (R466 million over three years) covers radar and optronics research as well as command and control and information warfare. Barends said that good progress has been made on the multirole surveillance radar, with a demonstrator available in late 2024.

R297 million will be spent on the Denel Overberg Test Range to maintain capabilities there over the next three years.

While these projects are funded, no allocation has been made for defence engineering and science university programme as well as defence transformative enterprise development.

Barends told the JSCD that the Department of Defence has a number of unfunded technology requirements that would require R4.3 billion over the next three years (R1.3 billion in 2023/24; R1.5 billion in 2024/25; and R1.5 billion in 2025/26).

These include a maritime airborne anti-submarine warfare system (the SANDF currently has no means of detecting undeclared dived submarines); a combined thermal and digital day camera (one sight for day and night operations); a 20 mm cannon (the current 20 mm is a foreign weapon that is difficult to support); the ability for Special Forces to place explosives underwater; a joint strike missile; a 76 mm Rooikat turret for maritime use; a 30 mm DEFA/CamGun for maritime use; Rooivalk Mk II upgrade (midlife update); satellite payloads; cyber security; armed UAVs; secure communications; nano technology (such as graphene); and Vinten pods for the SAAF.

He warned that not funding defence R& D will threaten the survival of defence research institutes; will result in a loss of experienced scientists and engineers that will impact on the broader defence industry; lose any competitive advantage created over years of investment; and result in a loss of capabilities.

Particularly in the areas of radar development, information system security, communications, command and control and electronic warfare, “if these research activities do not continue, the result on these industries responsible for this, will be devastating. The country will lose capabilities that will be difficult if not impossible to re-establish. Secure military communication and surveillance will be threatened.

“Furthermore, CSIR [Council for Scientific and Industrial Research] could decide to close down the Aeronautical institute which will have a critical impact on the aerospace store integration, carriage release and modelling and simulation for the Air Force. Flight test capability will be lost and difficult to recover.”

A lack of funding could also threaten the telemetry and tracking capabilities at the Denel Overberg Test Range, which would result in South Africa losing international revenue. It would then become costly to conduct Test and Evaluation on platforms.

Defence and Military Veterans Minister Thandi Modise pointed out that technology needs to be used for border security, and South Africa’s borders would be far more secure “if we had more technology.” Democratic Alliance Shadow Defence Minister Kobus Marais echoed this, saying that investing in technology is a force multiplier, especially satellite and cyber technology, which has huge applications for border and maritime security.

https://www.defenceweb.co.za/featured/dod-continues-to-carry-out-defence-research-and-development-in-spite-of-funding-shortfall/

Jammer and target drone amongst advanced DoD technology projects

Defence technology research and development in the Department of Defence (DoD) has led to tangible progress on several important projects, including a new radar system, low-cost target drone, and electronic warfare systems.

Brigadier General Andre Barends, Director Technology Development, revealed these projects when briefing Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Defence (JSCD) last month on defence research and development funding.

Over the next three years, over R1.7 billion has been allocated to defence technology development, although there is a shortfall of R221 million in 2023/24; R154 million in 2024/25; and R192 million in 2025/26.

In his presentation to the JSCD, Barends highlighted some advanced technologies being developed, such as a containerised communications jammer able to intercept, direction find and jam digital radios over a wide spectrum of hopping frequencies. The system comprises of a simulator that can simulate up to six digital radios, measure jamming effectiveness, and the 1 kW jammer. A prototype is due to be delivered to the South African Air Force and could be used by the SAAF at electronic warfare camps.

The Acepod is being developed for the SA Air Force as a technology demonstrator providing an escort jamming capability from a fast jet. The pod has a full electronic intelligence (ELINT) capability and X-band jamming capability to protect assets in an escort role. A prototype will be delivered to the SA Air Force.

As the Department of Defence has no more target drones left to qualify missiles and provide targets for force preparation exercises, it is developing a new target drone demonstrator. Denel Dynamics unveiled the new drone (developed under Project Loki) at the Africa Aerospace and Defence exhibition in September 2022 but progress has been slow mainly due to COVID-19 and the situation at Denel Dynamics. The tempo of the project has improved recently, Barends stated in his presentation.

https://www.defenceweb.co.za/featured/jammer-and-target-drone-amongst-advanced-dod-technology-projects/

Flanker:
he says on the video , that its the french embassy who contacted them to secure the evacuation of the nigerians

Yep. Everyone is liaising with both the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces to escort convoys in areas under their control. To avoid a repeat of the earlier incident when a French convoy was fired on when it crossed into an RSF area without having notified them.

Kazikazi:
Tanzania have been evacuating her citizen from Sudan ferrying them by bus to Ethiopia. The exercise of bringing them to Ethiopian city of Gondar is now complete.Air Tanzania's Boeing dreamliner is fetching them from Gondar,Ethiopia and bringing them home.
150 Tanzanian students,22 embassy emploýees,and another 22 ordinary tanzanian folks have been evacuated.
Tanzania have also evacuated other nationalities from USA,UK,Sierra Leone,Uganda,kenya, Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique.

Current situation at Gondar airport,Ethiopia where all evacuated people are in a way to Tanzania......

Asante sana.

davefurn:
I know they aren't leaving, if not CNN and the rest will carry it. Just wanted to confirm if anc made such suggestions in the congress or so, even Nigerian congress makes arse suggestions sometimes. Or will your link provide such suggestions,those only makes local news and where best to confirm apart from here

Old boy, when you say things like "senseless" and "making decision for one man", you are not asking questions.

That there is your opinion. Which is open to the rest of us to rubbish, based on the facts at our disposal.
Were you just pontificating without all the facts?
All the more reason not to take you seriously.

davefurn:
Why leave for because of an individual, it makes no sense; it's just dick riding at this sense because they have no good reason

You might want to read original info and not base your opinion on 2nd hand reports.
All SA govt info is available here: www.gov.za
Original sources prevent all of us making arses of ourselves by quoting 2nd hand info.
Just a suggestion.

Lurker4Long:
Angolans, Namibians, Zimbabweans, some Philippinos and Brazilians at the request of their ambassadors, and an American married to a Saffer, were also evacuated.

Apparently there were some Kenyans, Ugandans and Tanzanians who showed up at our rendezvous point in Khartoum, and unfortunately had to be left behind due to space constraints.

The Kenyan military is encouraging its nationals to make their way to South Sudan, where the Kenyan military have their planes waiting. Uganda, I don't know and Tanzania?

Tanzania as a SADC member should have asked Pretoria once the SANDF was tasked to also evacuate SADC nationals. The perils of belonging to multiple regional groupings I guess, but a subject for another day.

GreenandGold, seems everyone is jumping on our 30mm air-transportable recon/fire-support vehicle idea!
The Turks have merely copied, without shame, the French Panhard Crab of course, and are rumoured to be about to sell 20 of their OTOKAR AKREP II 4x4 to Kosovo. (Don't know what the Turkish word Akrep means in English, but sounds suspiciously like "Crab" )
Golden Era Technologies better get a move on lest all these pretenders eat our lunch!

And a bonus video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjFFgc9Rfm0

PIC1: Panhard Crab;
PIC2&3: OTOKAR AKREP

GreenandGold:
Any SF or special aircraft assigned?

C130 serial number 405, some quiet professionals, and SSA.

I'm also hearing an SAA plane was chartered and pre-positioned in Egypt to ferry the civilians back to SA.

POSTSCRIPT: That Flightradar24 pic!

Lurker4Long:
South Africa begins evacuation of citizens trapped in Sudan

Ramaphosa also said South Africa would “assist other nationals” from “our region” who are stranded in Sudan.

Angolans, Namibians, Zimbabweans, some Philippinos and Brazilians at the request of their ambassadors, and an American married to a Saffer, were also evacuated.

Oryx tings!

Uganda commissions first locally overhauled Mi-24

The Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) has reached a significant milestone regarding the domestic maintenance of its fleet after President Yoweri Museveni commissioned the first locally overhauled Mi-24.

Museveni on 18 April attended a ceremony at Nakasongola Air Base, where he inspected the first Mi-24P to be overhauled in Uganda, by Russian company Proheli International Services Limited. The aircraft was seen fitted with new dust filters, indicating possible foreign deployment. The aircraft was also upgraded for day and night operations and “will be used to curb the persistent cattle rustling and during other operations against terrorists in the region,” the UPDF said.

The Chief of Staff – Air Force Brigadier General David Gonyi – said the new facility – commissioned in January 2022 – will improve on the turnaround time taken to repair a helicopter as instead of three years, it took one year and three months to overhaul the first Mi-24. Locally overhauling the aircraft reduced the cost of transporting equipment, generated revenue, and provided employment to Ugandans (about 200 local workers currently) and facilitated industrial training for Air Force personnel. “With this facility, serviceability in the Air Force will increase and thus increase on combat readiness,” he explained.

Museveni said the helicopter overhaul “is another example of our excellent and longstanding relations with Russia, based on a convergence of interests that continue to bear logical dividend for Africa and Russia. I thank the Russian government for not objecting to our cooperation but supporting it. I also thank NEC and Luwero Industries for enthusiastically taking advantage of this good will and building this capacity.”

“I saw the potential of convergence of interests. We have no problem with Russia and vice-versa,” said Museveni. “I thank the Russian Government for supporting us and building the Mi-24 facility.”

He also appealed to Proheli to include the overhaul of the Sukhoi aircraft, adding that the latter will benefit from the broad African market using both Mi-24 and Sukhoi aircraft. The UPDF’s air wing operates Sukhoi Su-27 multirole fighters, as does Eritrea and Ethiopia.

National Enterprise Corporation (NEC), the production and commercial arm of the UPDF, entered into the joint venture with Proheli to set up the Mi-24 maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility.

According to the Chief Executive Officer of Proheli, Valerii Copeichin, the facility intends to be a one-stop centre for helicopter MRO, grow local human resources, manufacture electronic software for helicopters, and intends to manufacture a Ugandan-made helicopter using local manpower. “We are determined to work together with the UPDF to stabilize Uganda’s defence,” he said, adding the overhaul of Sukhoi aircraft will soon be an addition to the Nakasongola facility, which at present can overhaul Mi-8/17 and Mi-24 helicopters.

The UPDF has about a dozen Mi-24/35 attack helicopters in service along with several Mi-8/Mi-17s, several AB 206 Jet Rangers, half a dozen Bell 205s, and a couple of Bell 212 helicopters. Five refurbished Huey II helicopters were delivered from 2017. Uganda ordered six Mi-28 attack helicopters from Russia in 2020, and three were delivered last year.

Uganda is making great strides in growing its military industrial base and becoming more independent. NEC, in partnership with the United Arab Emirates’ Streit Group, in July 2022 opened an armoured vehicle factory (NEC-Streit Uganda Ltd).

In August 2018 Uganda officially launched an Armoured Vehicle Manufacturing and Assembly Facility in Maga Maga. Its first product was the Mamba-based Nyoka armoured personnel carrier, created in collaboration with South Africa’s Twiga Services and Logistics via its Ugandan sister company Impala Services and Logistics.

In October 2021, the UPDF commissioned the locally manufactured Chui (Leopard) infantry fighting vehicle (IFV), which is based on Twiga’s Nyati. The Chui is manufactured by the Armoured Vehicle Manufacturing and Assembly Facility.

https://www.defenceweb.co.za/aerospace/aerospace-aerospace/uganda-commissions-first-locally-overhauled-mi-24/

Brigadier Vimla Moodley from the SA Police Service K9 Unit, receiving a presidential award from Turkish President Erdogan today for her team's intervention during the Turkish earthquake.

A convoy of DCD Springbuck SD armoured vehicles in Ivory Coast.

South Africa begins evacuation of citizens trapped in Sudan

South Africa says it has begun evacuating dozens of its citizens trapped in conflict-hit Sudan.

“I can confirm that the operation to evacuate South Africans in Sudan and the staff at the South African embassy there is currently under way. They are being taken to a neighbouring country for safety,” foreign ministry spokesman Clayson Monyela told the press on Monday, without disclosing the country.

He did not give the numbers being evacuated or a timeline on when they would land in South Africa.

But earlier on Monday, President Cyril Ramaphosa told reporters in Johannesburg that some 77 South Africans were stuck in Sudan.

Ramaphosa also said South Africa would “assist other nationals” from “our region” who are stranded in Sudan.

South Africa joins countries worldwide racing to move foreign nationals to safety after the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces began clashing across Sudan, killing hundreds and causing acute shortages of water, food, medicines and fuel.

Several countries, including Belgium, Canada, India, the Netherlands, the United States and France, have launched evacuation operations – some via Port Sudan on the Red Sea, which is about 650km (400 miles) northeast of Khartoum but nearly 800km (500 miles) by road.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/4/24/south-africa-begins-evacuation-of-citizens-trapped-in-sudan

Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF) deployed to the DRC, with a IVEMA Gila armoured vehicle and Nyoka 4x4 APC - April, 2023.

I like what the Botswana Defence Force has done with their VBLs!