08 November 2013 by Guy Martin - defenceWeb

Germany company Diehl Defence has signed an agreement with Rippel Effect to jointly market the South African company’s 40 mm grenade launchers.

Diehl and Rippel Effect Systems (RES) will qualify Diehl’s 40 mm medium-velocity ammunition for Rippel Effect’s XRGL40 and UBL40 grenade launchers, according to IHS Jane’s Defence Industry. This was confirmed by Rippel Effect, but no further details were forthcoming.

RES manufactures 40 mm multi-shot grenade launchers, certified to fire both low and medium velocity rounds. Its XRGL40 extended grenade launcher also fires less-than-lethal riot/crowd control ammunition, including rubber, ball, soft-nose, illuminating and smoke grenades.

The company also offers its UBL40 under-barrel grenade launcher for assault rifles and its GR40 electronically programmable sighting system, able to distinguish between the use of low- and medium velocity ammunition.

Rippel Effect says it has exported thousands of 40 mm grenade launchers to more than 30 countries around the world.

Diehl is involved in South Africa through the supply of IRIS-T air-to-air missiles for the South African Air Force’s 26 Gripen fighter jets. The first missiles were delivered in 2009. Diehl has also test-fired its missiles (including the IRIS-T Surface Launch) at Denel’s Overberg Test Range in the southern Cape.

According to Jane’s, Diehl has previously partnered with Denel over artillery ammunition.

06 November 2013 by Guy Martin - defenceWeb

The state of the South African Army’s vehicles and other so-called prime mission equipment (PME) is declining to unacceptable levels while modernisation remains stagnant due to budget constraints and hurdles from entities like Armscor, according to the Department of Defence.

In its annual report for the period April 1, 2012, to March 31, 2013, the Department of Defence (DoD) noted that the period “remained a challenging year for the SA Army as a result of ever-increasing costs of the sustainment of PME, facilities, personnel, ammunition for training and operations.”

“The state of prime mission equipment, particularly in the Landward Defence programme, continued to decline to unacceptable levels. Additional funding provided for maintenance and repair of the operational vehicle fleet has had some effect, but is not sufficient to address this concern adequately. The rejuvenation of these capabilities therefore remains one of the DoD’s top priorities,” the DoD’s accounting officer said in the annual report.

As the Army did not receive any equipment from the Strategic Defence Packages (‘arms deal’), the DoD said it is lacking the required human resources, infrastructure and technologically advanced equipment.

Modernising the South African Army and acquiring more equipment “has remained stagnant” and has been hampered by a lack of funding and the delays to the finalisation of the Defence Review “which will inform the required future Landward Defence Capabilities of the SANDF”, the DoD said.

The serviceability and repair of equipment and vehicles was highlighted as a challenge to the landward arm of the SANDF due to the long process of acquisition, distribution of spares and shortage of personnel.

Although the SA Army said it was fully motivated to support its equipment, it said that support from Armscor and the Central Procurement Service Centre (CPSC) “remained extremely challenging.” Reliance on Armscor and the CPSC “created challenges for the SA Army resulting in the underutilisation of National Treasury funding.”

The South African Army actually underspent in the last financial year, something that was attributed to “external spending hurdles” such as the CPSC, Public Works department and Armscor, “which the SA Army is unable to influence.” Indeed, actual expenditure for 2012/13 was R12.367 billion, versus the R12.68 billion budgeted for.

The DoD said the defence budget allocation for landward renewal was “adequate” for the short term, but that rejuvenating the Army’s equipment, human resources and infrastructure was “compromised by a variety of institutional challenges central to which is the limited budget”. Indeed, the Strategic Capital Acquisition Master Plan (SCAMP) faces a budget deficit of R3 billion between FY 2017 and FY2020.

While the DoD highlighted the poor state of the Army’s vehicle fleet in its report, some relief came this year when Denel Land Systems received a contract for the production of 264 Badger armoured vehicles, to be produced over ten years, with the first delivery in 2015.

Apart from budget issues affecting equipment, the DoD said the SA Army’s personnel are insufficiently rejuvenated, directly affecting its ability to provide and sustain operational obligations in the future. A number of units were singled out as being in adequate to sustain operations, notably 16 and 17 Maintenance Units, 101 and 102 Field Workshops, Hospitality Services and VIP Protectors.

For the year under review, the DoD said the SA Army, as part of the Landward Defence Programme, made a significant contribution, notably through border protection duties and external deployments in Africa. “The SA Army fulfilled all its Joint Force Employment (JFE) commitments, notwithstanding the fact that it was overstretched, especially in the infantry, engineer, intelligence, signal and support capabilities. Reserve and MSDS [Military Skills Development System] members were utilised for both internal and external deployments to alleviate the pressure on Regular units.”

The external deployments included United Nations missions to the Democratic Republic of Congo (Monusco), Darfur (Unamid) and in support of training and protection in the Central African Republic. The SANDF also sent personnel to train DRC military forces. Two SA Army Reserve sub-units supported the Monusco and Unamid operations respectively

During the year under review, the SA Army provided 11 combat-ready sub-units for Border Safeguarding Operations as part of internal deployments. Eight SA Army Reserve sub-units were deployed for border safeguarding. A total of 10 784 reserves were called up for 1 647 109 man-days. 65% of the full call-up complement were employed for operational and force preparation duties.

The SA Army was also used to support the South African Police Service, particularly during the Marikana unrest, supported the African Cup of Nations and assisted the Mozambican Defence Force with counter-piracy operations in the Mozambique Channel.

25 October 2013 by Guy Martin - defenceWeb

The Department of Defence and Military Veterans has received an additional R400 million from Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, who allocated the extra funds in his mid-term budget policy statement.

According to treasury documents, an additional R271 million has been allocated to force employment for the 2013/14 year; R248 million has been taken away from the landward defence budget, R535 million has been taken away from the air defence budget, R63 million has been taken away from the maritime defence budget and R119 million has been added to the military health support budget.

Overall, an additional R414 million has been allocated to defence for 2013/14, with the majority of the money going to force employment, military health, general support (R791 million), administration (R74 million) and defence intelligence (R5 million).

The force employment allocation is a welcome boost for the South African National Defence Force, as it has been cut to the bone, but other reductions may raise doubts about re-equipment of the various arms of service. For instance, infantry capability, transport and maritime aircraft, air combat capability and maritime combat capability all received cuts under the adjusted appropriations announced by Gordhan.

The Treasury said that for the defence department, “Compared to the first six months of 2012/13, expenditure over the same period in 2013/14 increased by R2.335 billion, or 14.5 per cent. This was mainly due to salary increases, additional external deployments and the settlement of a claim against the department.”

This claim is believed to be from Austrian company AMST Systemtechnik Gmbh, which received R300 million after the defence department failed to honour its contractual obligations regarding advance payment for the supply of equipment, believed to be aeromedical in nature. The contract was subsequently cancelled and the defence department ordered to pay compensation.

The Treasury allocated an additional R150 million to the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) for sending troops to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as part of the United Nations force intervention brigade there. This was classified under unseen and unavoidable expenditure. Over a thousand SANDF personnel, as well as assets like helicopters, have been deployed to the DRC.

In terms of other operations this year, the Treasury noted that thirteen landward sub-units have been deployed on border safeguarding tasks (Operation Corona) and that 1 710 hours have been flown in support of air defence between April and September, out of the target of 6 500 for the 2013/2014 year.

"The [department] has reprioritised funds, away from computer services and the special defence accounts for weapons procurement, to the operational budget of the SA Air Force,” the treasury said in the 2013 mini budget, tabled in Parliament on Wednesday. However, budget documents show that money has been stripped from air defence and allocated to force employment, from which the Air Force will presumably get some money from.

5 105 hours have been spent at sea over the last six months from April to September, out of the original target of 22 000 for the 2013/2014 financial year. “The department had recorded only 5 105 hours at sea by mid-year and expects to record 12 000 hours by year end, not the 22 000 initially projected,” according to the Treasury. “This is because of the decline in operational activities in support of counter piracy operations, which are conducted through the Maritime Defence programme.”

Treasury documents indicate that R18.43 billion, or 45.3% of the defence budget (which totals R40.658 billion for the year) was spent between April and September this year, with R1.4 billion being spent on force employment, R6.2 billion on landward defence, R2.6 billion on air defence, R1.4 billion on maritime defence and R1.7 billion on military health.

In the mini-budget document, it was revealed that the SANDF has conducted five joint, interdepartmental and military exercises between April and September and used 13 551 active reserves – most likely for border security operations.

The department counts 5 107 military skills development members in the system, and expects to exceed its target as the intake of trainees from the South African Navy and the South African Military Health Service in January 2013 was higher than anticipated.

A total of R50.357 million was generated by selling equipment and spares and this will be used “for defence activities,” with R41.8 million being allocated to landward defence, R6.8 million to air defence and R1.6 million to maritime defence.

09 October 2013 by defenceWeb

Denel has successfully tested the land-based version of its Umkhonto surface-to-air (SAM) missile at the Denel Overberg Test Range, where the weapon destroyed targets at a range of 20 km.

The live fire exercises, carried out between October 1 and 3, were the first with the land-based version of Denel Dynamics’ naval Umkhonto SAM. Denel said that observers from nine countries joined officials from the Ministry of Defence, Armscor and the SANDF to witness the firing.

During the demonstration three missiles successfully destroyed low-cost aerial target systems (LOCATS – provided by the South African Army), two at 15 km range and one at 20 km. The targets were launched from Denel’s range at the southern tip of Africa and flew out to sea before turning inshore on an elliptical track. The successful ground-based firing tests proved that the range of the Umkhonto has now been extended to 20 km while the physical dimensions of the missile remain unchanged, Denel said.

The targets were engaged by the Umkhonto missiles in their lock-on-after-launch mode. The Reutech Radar Systems new RSR-320 dual-band 3D radar provided mid-course guidance updates to get the missiles within range of their infrared seekers.

The Umkhonto SAM system was developed by Denel Dynamics for the SA Navy’s Meko A200 class frigates, and is in service in both Block 1 and Block 2 versions. The Block 2, with a range of 15 km, is also used by the Finnish Navy aboard its Hamina class corvettes and Hämeenmaa class mine layers. The Block 2 variant features a 3 km greater range and a seeker aimed at processing cluttered environments, especially in look-down mode. The Umkhonto has reportedly been selected by Algeria for use on its Meko frigates.

Denel said the newly-developed ground-based launcher now provides an alternative that can also be used by the SA Army for Phase 2 of its Ground-based Air Defence System (GBADS) – a project that is also managed by Denel, the company said. The RSR-320 radar could also be used for GBADS Phase 2.

The RSR-320 radar was developed from the 2D Thutlwa ESR 220 radar, currently in service with the South African Army, and designed as a missile guidance radar, according to IHS Janes.

Riaz Saloojee, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Denel said the successful testing of the recently modified Umkhonto missile demonstrated the company’s global leadership in the development and manufacturing of guided weapons. This was the first time an integrated air defence system developed entirely in South Africa was demonstrated.

“Our local defence industry can develop products that are comparable and better than what is available in the rest of the world,” said Saloojee. “This contributes to the strategic capabilities of the SANDF and strengthens the high-technology proficiencies of the defence sector.”

Denel Dynamics is developing a longer range Umkhonto variant with a range exceeding 20 km, as well as a radar-guided version.

In collaboration with Brazilian partners Denel is also developing and testing its new generation air-to-air missile, the A-Darter.

23 September 2013 by Kim Helfrich, defenceWeb

There is a still a long way to go before any permanent naval vessel presence re-establishes itself in Durban.

SA Navy Chief Vice Admiral Johannes Mudimu earlier this year indicated the former home of what was the strikecraft flotilla would again be brought into service as a fully operational naval base. He said the Salisbury Island site would become a permanent home to the offshore patrol vessels (OPV) in the Navy fleet.

One of the biggest problems is suitable accommodation for naval personnel at the proposed base. “Proposed” because at present the Navy in Durban is accommodated at a naval station and this can only be changed to a full naval base once certain functions, including accommodation, are in place Commander Eugene Khumalo of the Navy Public Relations Department said.

Ministerial authority is the final hurdle to be cleared before the existing naval station can be upgrade to base status and this is dependent on factors such as vessel handling and maintenance capacity as well as accommodation.

“Work is currently underway on workshops and other facilities at Naval Station Durban to support more regular port calls to Durban by SAN vessels as a result of an increase in operations along the East Coast,” he said.

The increase is primarily as a result of the ongoing counter-piracy tasking, Operation Copper. This sees one SAN platform deployed to the Mozambique Channel as part of a joint Mozambican/South African/Tanzanian effort to stop piracy along the continental east coast. To date the Navy has deployed Valour Class frigates, the replenishment vessel SAS Drakensberg and one of the strikecraft refurbished to OPV status to the busy sea lane to deter piracy.

Apart from bringing back the workshops and associated ships’ maintenance facilities to full operation at Salisbury Island the Navy is liaising with other Department of Defence entities, primarily the Chief of Logistics and, to a lesser extent, the Department of Public Works, in efforts to secure suitable accommodation.

When the Navy departed Durban its housing facilities were mostly taken over the elements of the SA Army. With the landward arm of service still having a presence in the east coast harbour city accommodation for married naval personnel is acknowledged as being a problem area.

The situation is somewhat different as regards single accommodation with refurbishment work on existing single quarters currently underway.

Khumalo sums up the situation by saying: “There is ongoing work in Durban to ensure the current OPVs can be effectively supported while alongside.

“The intention is that when the new OPVs are acquired, the Durban facilities will also be able to fully support them. So it is a concurrent process that is underway.”

As to the number of naval personnel that will eventually call Durban home he cannot be specific – “it will be dependent on the type of platforms acquired and the support personnel, apart from ships’ crews, the new vessels will require”.

Sept. 17, 2013 by Paramount Group

The business rescue process of one of South Africa's truly recognised national assets, ATE South Africa (Advanced Technology and Engineering Company), has become unconditional with the support, both financial and strategic, of the Paramount Group, Africa's largest privately-owned aerospace and defence company – a bold move that is strategic to the continued growth and development of the defence industry on the continent, and which will result in the Paramount Group acquiring ATE.

ATE, one of South Africa's oldest and most established aerospace companies, with more than 27 years of experience, will now be incorporated into the Paramount Group, trading as Paramount Advanced Technologies. This will ensure that vital aerospace expertise and world-class competency remains in South Africa, to the benefit of the continent and the broader economy.

ATE has been through a tumultuous time over the past few years and was placed under business rescue just under two years ago. Paramount Group's acquisition will ensure the continuation of this strategic business, and in so doing, add significant new and sophisticated aeronautical capabilities into its existing product offering and expand the group's ability to deliver to its many government customers around the world.

Ivor Ichikowitz, Executive Chairman, Paramount Group, said: "Paramount Group's success lies in our confidence and faith in our continent's technical ability. The business rescue of ATE demonstrates this commitment and will harness local skills and South Africa's ‘can do' attitude. This transaction will ultimately aid the continent, allow us to drive research and development in this hi-tech field, and participate as one of the leading global industry players.

"The alternative to Paramount rescuing ATE would have been for the company to go into liquidation or for a foreign company to acquire the business. This would have meant the loss of a highly specialised strategic capability to South Africa and the continent forever. The Paramount Group is firmly committed to growing Africa's hi-tech competence, and this transaction further provides us the opportunity to do so."

"The people we need to salute are the employees, customers and suppliers that have been through an extremely difficult time but have demonstrated their commitment and loyalty by standing by the business and supporting this process."

"This acquisition safeguards service delivery for ATE's worldwide customers and allows us to expand the scope of solutions on offer to better serve those who have stood by ATE through the change," said Ichikowitz.

"With South Africa becoming a fully fledged member of BRICS, it is imperative that we enter a new phase of industrialisation. The development of home-grown technology, skills and manufacturing capabilities are crucial if we are to capitalise on both the world's appetite to do business in our region and the huge potential for intra-African and intra-BRICS trade. Paramount Group continues to lead by example, demonstrating that South African industry can match the best in the world," said Ichikowitz.

The incorporation of ATE will enhance the position of the Paramount Group as the leading privately-owned defence and aerospace group on the African continent, with a strong and diversified global offering, which will see future development of new technologies, job opportunities and skills development.

"The conclusion of the business rescue is phase one in terms of saving the company. The company will now have to go through a restructure, the turnaround will be a challenge, but the intention is to rebuild sustainably and retain skills to ensure that we play a significant part in the long-term future of this global industry," said Ichikowitz.

Paramountis set on a growth trajectory, which will be further accelerated by the inclusion of ATE competencies into the existing business. This will provide product extensions such as UAVs, sensors, avionics, mission systems and system integration to its already comprehensive and growing suite of aerospace, land and maritime security and defence products. It will also see Paramount Group add to its civilian market expertise in border surveillance, coastal patrol, environmental protection, and disaster and emergency services.

"This is just the beginning of a long and challenging journey, this business rescue is proof that we believe in the skills and potential of the business and we look forward to welcoming the ATE staff to the Paramount Group," concluded Ichikowitz.

13/09/2013 Sources : EMA

Du 30 août au 6 septembre 2013, les forces armées en zone sud de l’océan Indien (FAZSOI) ont participé au Mozambique à l’exercice naval Oxide 2013.

Organisée au large de Maputo, la troisième édition de cet exercice (les précédentes ont eu lieu en 2008 et 2011) rassemblait les marines française, sud-africaine et mozambicaine. La frégate de surveillance Nivôse et de son hélicoptère Panther (qui appartient aux FAZSOI) ont été engagés aux côtés de la frégate sud-africaine « Isandlwana » et son Super-Lynx, de la corvette lance-missile « Isaac Dyobha », du sous-marin « Queen Modjaji », d’un C130 Hercule, d’un C47 Dakota et d’une équipe de sauvetage aéroportée. Les forces armées mozambicaines ont elles aussi été associées à l’événement par l’intégration d’officiers au sein de l’équipage du « Nivôse » et de l’état-major embarqué sur l’Isandlwana.

Les trois premières journées  passées en commun ont été consacrées à la préparation des exercices. La présence à quai a permis d’enchainer démonstrations dans les domaines de la sécurité et de la protection/défense et tables rondes visant à affiner la cinématique des exercices à la mer et des activités de cohésion (séances de sport collectives, échanges dans les carrés). Les équipages ont ainsi appris à mieux se connaître avant de prendre la mer.

Dans les jours qui ont suivi, les exercices se sont succédés à un rythme soutenu : remorquages, exercices de visite, treuillages croisés, recherche et interception de navires suspectés de divers trafics ou en pêche illicite. Cette coopération s’est étendue aux « Maritime rescue coordination center (MRCC) » de Pretoria, et au Centre régional opérationnel de surveillance et de sauvetage (CROSS) de la Réunion au travers d’un scénario de sauvetage d’un sous-marin qui s’est clôturé par un parachutage de forces spécialisées dans le domaine.

L’exercice Oxide 2013 a tout d’abord offert aux différentes marines la possibilité de valider leurs procédures d’interopérabilité. Il a également fourni une occasion privilégiée d'échanges entre militaires de trois pays riverains, partageant les mêmes préoccupations face aux menaces dans la zone. Cet exercice a aussi donné l’opportunité au général de division Jean François Hogard, commandant supérieur des FAZSOI de prendre contact avec les autorités civiles (ministre de la défense) et militaires (chef d'état-major des armées) mozambicaines et de renouveler les offres de coopération militaire de la France.

Les FAZSOI ont pour mission de protéger le territoire national, les installations stratégiques et contribuer au maintien de la sécurité ; d’assurer la prévention et la préservation des intérêts de la France dans la zone de responsabilité contre toute forme d’agression extérieure ; de soutenir l’action de l’Etat et contribuer aux conditions de stabilité et de développement des collectivités territoriales par la mise en œuvre de moyens militaires ;  d’affirmer la souveraineté française. En cas de crise, elles sont en mesure de conduire ou participer à une opération militaire et/ou de mener des opérations de secours d’urgence (assistance humanitaire, catastrophes naturelles).

10 September 2013 by Jonathan Katzenellenbogen – defenceWeb

With its sizeable pavilion at the DSEI show in London this week, South Africa continues to signal that it has the products and is keen to grow its share of world defence markets. The DSEI (Defence and Security Equipment International) exhibition is the world’s largest defence show to combine land, air, and sea elements, say the organisers.

Although defence spending is likely to face severe pressures over the next decade in Europe and the US, the show is bigger than ever in terms of number of visitors and exhibitors. Growth in defence spending in Asia and the Middle East will drive much of the growth in the international security market in the next decade.

Over the four days of the show, held every two years, about 30 000 visitors are expected at the ExCel centre in the docklands area of London. There are more than 1 500 exhibitors, compared to a little over 1 100 at the most recent International Defence Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi. DSEI builds on Britain as an international centre for business, rather than as a big market itself, sometimes called “the Wimbledon effect”.

South Africa’s Department of Trade and Industry paid around R6 million for its stand at the show. On the pavilion are stands for smaller South African companies whose presence is funded by the Department.

Government’s signal of the importance to which it attaches to the show is indicated by the presence of a sizeable delegation headed by the Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Tabang Makwetla and the Chief of the SANDF, General Solly Shoke.

Without the presence of the heavyweights Denel and Armscor in the pavilion, the stand lacks an impressive focus. In previous years the two big state owned companies were on the South African stand.

The nearby Denel stand is dominated by the company’s heavy calibre gun and mortar that will be the main weapons mounted on the Badger infantry combat vehicle for the South African army. The GI-30 30 mm cannon and the M10 60 mm mortar system were launched earlier in SA, but today marks their international debut. Denel has already sold the turret and gun to Malaysia and intends to pursue other international opportunities.

On the morning the show opened the weapons had stirred some intense interest from a Chinese delegation who could be seen photographing the systems from a number of angles.

The smaller companies on the South African national stand are:

parachute manufacturer, Aerodyne Research, luxury vehicle armourer, Armormax, special purpose vehicle supplier, DCD Protected Mobility, fuse manufacturer, Fuchs Electronics, electronic warfare equipment manufacturer, GEW Technologies, ultra-high intensity searchlight supplier, Megaray, protected vehicle supplier, Osprea Logistics, electronic technology solution supplier, Parsec, antenna designer and supplier, Poynting Antennas, data modem product maker, RapidM, camp system supplier, Redeployable Camp Systems, communication and data solution company Tellumat, secure military communications provider, Reutech Communications, firearms manufacturer Truvelo, marine vessels builder Veecraft Marine, Reutech Radar Systems, grenade launcher maker, Rippel Effect Systems, power pack supplier, Shelhurst Components, specialised electronics maker, Shrike Marine, and helmet and body armour maker, Zebra Armour.

04 September 2013 by defenceWeb

The door is open for official South African defence industry participation in Angola’s first defence exhibition in November.

The SA Aerospace, Maritime and Defence Industries Association (AMD) said it, with the assistance of the South Africa Department of Defence (DoD), had been liaising with Angolan authorities to secure an invitation.

“As of Monday this week the invitation was secured through official Defence channels,” AMD’s Michelle Nxumalo said.

The next step in ensuring the local defence industry, currently almost totally reliant on exports, will see AMD interact with Minister Rob Davies’ Department of Trade and Industry (dti) to secure export funding for AMD and other local defence industry companies to participate.

“This is expected to be finalised by month-end,” she said.

FIDES (the International Fair of the Defence and Security Industry) will be staged at the International Luanda Fair (IFL) venue from November 10 to 13.

Launching the exhibition last month, Angolan Defence Minister Candido Pereira dos Santos van Dunem said it would identify opportunities to establish public/private partnerships as well as stimulate investment in the defence and security industry.

The partnership aspect will be welcomed by major South African defence industry players, such as the State-owned Denel conglomerate and Ivor Ichikowitz’ Paramount Group.

Both he and Denel chief executive Riaz Salojee have repeatedly emphasised the importance of partnerships if the South African defence industry is to remain competitive on both the continental and international stages.

At this stage indications are about 70 companies from Portugal, Germany, Italy, Spain and Israel will exhibit. Organisers are hoping to attract up to 100 exhibitors from 27 countries.

September 5, 2013 defense-aerospace.com    

(Source: Rheinmetall AG; issued Sept. 4, 2013)

Rheinmetall Wins Multi-Million Euro Contract for Mortar Ammunition

Rheinmetall AG of Düsseldorf has booked a major order for mortar ammunition. A customer in the Middle East/ North Africa (MENA) region has contracted with Rheinmetall Denel Munition of South Africa to supply ammunition for a mobile 120mm mortar system. The contract, which runs for several years and will be completed in partnership with a local company in the customer land, is worth around €50 million.

Delivery of the ammunition starts in September 2014. The order encompasses tens of thousands of service, illumination and smoke/obscurant rounds. They are developed for a modern 120mm mobile mortar system, with ballistic characteristics specifically adapted to its advanced fire control unit. The ammunition’s range of over 8,000 metres and proven performance in battle underpin its leading role in the market and with it, Rheinmetall’s technological leadership.

Just awarded, the contract issued by the MENA-customer is the culmination of cooperation between the project participants from the world of vehicles, weapons and ammunition, and fire control technology. Moreover, the order is an important endorsement for the use of Rheinmetall ammunition in the mobile 120mm mortar system, and a significant sign of possible orders to come from other customers in the MENA region.

Rheinmetall also sees the order as a validation of its strategy of internationalization. A presence in the MENA region and entering into strategic partnerships could assist the Düsseldorf-based Group to further strengthen its reputation as a reliable partner of the military as well as local industry.

28 August 2013 by Kim Helfrich – defenceWeb

The three combat arms of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) will all, to a greater or lesser extent, be part of an intensive five day multi-national exercise concentrating on counter-piracy operations starting on Monday.

The basic premise of Exercise Oxide is the promotion of co-operation and improved inter-operability between the French, Mozambican and South African navies with the emphasis on keeping pirates away from the Indian Ocean seaboard off East Africa.

The sea off the Mozambican capital of Maputo is the designated exercise area.

The SA Navy (SAN) is the lead nation in the exercise and will deploy a Valour Class frigate (SAS Islandwana), a Type 209 submarine (SAS Queen Modjadji), the offshore patrol vessel SAS Isaac Dyoba, and a platoon from its Maritime Reaction Squadron (MRS).

Last weekend Islandwana underwent final work-up in False Bay in preparation for the exercise, after which she will take up station in the Mozambique Channel replacing the OPV SAS Galeshewe on the Operation Copper counter-piracy tasking.

French forces taking part include the FS Nivose, a light surveillance frigate, and French commando boarding teams.

The airborne component for Exercise Oxide will be in the form of a C-130 Hercules from 28 Squadron and a 35 Squadron C-47TP, also used regularly in Operation Copper as a maritime patrol asset.

During the exercise, search and rescue, basic and advanced interdiction and boarding operations, vertical replenishment as well as tactical exercises and gunnery practice disciplines will all be undertaken.

The search and rescue component will use a submarine in distress as its central point with ships from both participating navies conducting a co-ordinated search for the underwater craft. Once the submarine’s location has been established a Special Forces parachute action group will use the C-130 as an airborne platform to speedily access it.

All vessels deployed for Exercise Oxide will take an active part in the interdiction and boarding operations phase. This will include location of “contacts of interest” (ships and vessels suspected of piracy and/or smuggling) and challenging them. Both French commandos and SAN MRS will exercise procedures for boarding, interrogation and search of suspicious vessels.

Helicopters from French and South African vessels will launch to airlift and drop crew.

The exercise will also see conventional naval procedures such as gunnery, multi-ship manoeuvring at sea and various communication methods practised.

The SAN will host nine “sea riders”, officers from the Mozambican and Tanzanian navies, aboard participating vessels to facilitate training and exposure among Southern African Development Community (SADC) maritime forces.

24 July 2013 by defenceWeb

A decommissioned SA Air Force (SAAF) Puma helicopter airframe has been added to the inventory of training aids at 1 Tactical Intelligence Regiment in Potchefstroom.

With uniformed intelligence operators, better known as scouts, generally deployed on surveillance taskings via helicopter, the airframe will provide a realistic level of training often not present in the current tight financial situation the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) finds itself in.

Acknowledging this, SA Army Intelligence Formation General Officer Commanding Brigadier General Nontobeko Mpaxa said the airframe “will serve as a realistic replacement in the event the SAAF is unable to provide an aircraft for helicopter training”.

The airframe will also allow for better and more hands-on training prior to training on a serviceable helicopter. This will also cut down on the time needed for training with rotary-winged aircraft, another cost saving measure.

Scouts will use the Puma airframe to properly orient themselves with regard to danger areas, crew positions, entry and exit points and preparation for landing. Helicopter trooping drills, including embussing and debussing, seating arrangements and protection of the aircraft in a landing zone will also now have an added dimension of reality. These drills can be safely practised day and night to fully familiarise scouts with the air transport that will take them to predetermined surveillance positions on deployments including border protection, anti-poaching operations and peacekeeping or peace support.

Having an airframe on hand at the Regiment will also see better training when it comes to packing supplies for delivery to scouts deployed at forward surveillance posts. This, Mpaxa said, will be of particular value to those undergoing the surveillance troop sergeant’s course. These are the men and women charged with ensuring scouts have the necessary food, water, ammunition and other specialist equipment to properly execute their tasks.

Overall, the one star general is confident the newest training aid will “significantly” improve the standard of training at the Formation’s School of Tactical Intelligence. She also indicated the airframe would be made available to other units in the Potchefstroom area for training purposes.

24 July 2013 by defenceWeb/Africom

US military forces have teamed up with the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) for Exercise Shared Accord in and around Port Elizabeth until August 7.

Shared Accord is an annual training exercise involving in-depth joint cohesion between U.S. and South African military forces during multiple training scenarios.

“This mission is designed to increase inter-operability and build friendships with the SANDF,” said Major Chuck Slagle, executive officer for 2nd Armoured Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division.

The exercise involves about 700 American military members from the Army, Marines, Navy and Air Force and more than 3 000 SANDF members.

“Anybody can learn from anyone. We definitely learn from each other and can contribute our expertise to these exercises,” said South African Military Health Services (SAMHS) Captain François Van Huyssteen, a veterinarian with the Military Veterinary Institute.

Shared Accord 13 is a large-scale operation that will include multiple training missions to test the capabilities of both militaries. It will include an amphibious assault, combined live fire exercise, situational training exercises and a tactical airborne assault, which will lead into a Humanitarian Civic Action (HCA) event for the South African community.

“It’s great having the Americans here,” said Sergeant Major Andrew Stanley, watch officer for SA 13. “It shows the military capabilities and also the co-operation between the different forces.”

The HCA part of the exercise will see health services including dental, HIV screening and ophthalmology services provided Slagle said.

Another aspect to HCA will be mobile veterinary services including rabies vaccinations and tick treatments, Van Huyssteen said.

Through all exercises in SA 13 both militaries hope to improve skills while learning from one another.

“We’re both here to learn,” said Slagle. “The South Africans have a lot of experience and really we’re just sharing. We’re not training them on anything. We’re improving each other through this exercise.”