South African National Defence Force (SANDF)

Rooivalk au Congo.

Citation :

Exercise Seboka 2013

http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_joomgallery&func=viewcategory&catid=94&Itemid=136

Rooivalk au Congo.



L'un des trois  Rooivalk à l'aéroport de Goma au Congo, intégré à la MONUSCO pour stabiliser le Congo.

Citation :

Denel plans to roll out first SANDF's Badger vehicle in 2015
20 November 2013

Denel Land Systems (DLS) is planning to roll out the first Badger infantry combat vehicle (ICV) intended for the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) in October 2015.

Around 238 8x8 Badger vehicles were ordered by the Armaments Corporation of South Africa (Armscor) from Denel under a multi-billion contract for replacement of SANDF's 30-year old Ratel 6x6 infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) fleet, in October 2013.

Denel Land Systems CEO Stephan Burger said the company has already started industrialisation at its facilities in Lyttelton, with plans to commence production in early 2015.

''The system will be produced locally and represents the apex of the South African defence industry,'' Burger said.

''Although the development phase is still in process, we are confident that the Badger will generate considerable international interest in the vehicle and open a number of prospects for future exports that could result in the injection of foreign direct investment into South Africa.''

Approximately 70% of the vehicle is scheduled to be manufactured in South Africa, contributing towards the long-term sustainability of the entire local defence industry by creating and retaining at least 2,000 jobs among local sub-contractors, as well as 200 direct jobs at DLS.The Badger is originally Patria-built platform modified to address South African Army's needs with regards to landmine protection, manoeuvrability and firepower, and also features a modular turret, developed by DLS in section, command, mortar, missile and fire support variants.

The vehicles are scheduled to be equipped with either a 30mm externally-driven cam-operated cannon, a locally manufactured 60mm breech-loading long-range mortar, a 12.7mm machine gun or the Ingwe anti-tank missile system.

Commenting on the vehicle, Burger said: ''The SANDF will have an adaptable and flexible vehicle that can be used with equal confidence in both high-intensity warfare and peace supporting operations.''

Delivery of full fleet is scheduled to take place by the end of 2022.



http://www.army-technology.com/news/newsdenel-first-sandfs-badger-2015

Citation :

Lockheed Martin ready to assist with SAAF airlift acquisition

Lockheed Martin’s point man for Africa has hit South Africa with the declared mission of trying to establish exactly what the SA Air Force’s (SAAF) airlift requirements are.

Dennys Plessas, Vice President Business development Initiatives at the American aerospace company, told defenceWeb his three day visit would also allow him to put forward suggestions on the boosting of airlift capacity for the hard-pressed SAAF.

“I’m here to find out exactly what the SAAF’s needs and requirements are as far as airlift, whether it be tactical or strategic, is concerned. Both myself and Lockheed Martin are concerned a hastily taken decision in this regard can lead to problems down the line with aircraft maintenance and utilisation,” he said, regarding reports of feasibility and or project studies apparently currently underway for possible acquisition of Ilyushin Il-76s.



An indicator of the importance Lockheed Martin attaches to South Africa can be gathered from Plessas’ statement that the company is ready to engage with its single largest customer – the US Air Force – to accommodate any South African requirement for the C-130J Super Hercules.

“If needs be speedy procurement can be negotiated with the USAF.”

Earlier this year the SAAF marked the 50th year of service of the C-130BZ with AFB Waterkloof-based 28 Squadron. It was also the squadron’s 70th anniversary.

An indication of the respect the C-130J has earned among the world’s air forces was that the Indian Air Force had disposed of its Il-76s in favour of the new generation Hercules, he said. The sub-continent’s air force currently has 12 C-130Js in its fleet inventory.

“It is a true multi-role aircraft handling missions such as airlift, maritime patrol and reconnaissance, border protection as well as air-to-air refuelling and others,” Plessas said adding discussions with the current and immediate past SAAF chiefs had led him to believe aerial refuelling was high on the priority list.

“This appears to have changed and that is why I’m here – to find out what the priorities are and how the C-130J can fit those needs.”

He would not elaborate on exactly who he would be seeing during his short stay in South Africa but said the local United States Embassy was also ready to offer “every assistance” if there was a decision to go the C-130J route by the SAAF.

The SAAF’s C-130 fleet will be retired in 2020, leaving only a few years to decide on a replacement. The Air Force also needs to urgently replace its Turbo Dakota maritime surveillance aircraft, under Project Saucepan. Lockheed Martin has previously suggested its Sea Hercules and C-130XJ Expandable Super Hercules could meet this requirement, and fulfil the SAAF’s airlift needs. The C-130XJ would have a substantial amount of local content fitted to meet South African requirements.

The US Air Force brought a Super Hercules to the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) exhibition in Pretoria in September last year.

During a briefing last year Plessas noted that the C-130J could provide 90% of the SAAF’s airlift capability (including cargo transport, peacekeeping, humanitarian relief, medevac, search and rescue etc). It could also meet 100% of the SAAF’s maritime/border patrol requirements and 100% of its tanking needs, as the KC-130J has successfully refuelled Gripen fighters.

The SAAF’s eight C-130BZs are projected to keep flying until 2020, up from the earlier date of 2015, but the Air Force has yet to issue a request for information (RFI) or request for proposals (RFP) for replacements. Lockheed Martin pointed out that the SAAF’s Boeing 707 tankers had been retired in 2007 and that its C-47TP aircraft are 1940s vintage.

Until the cancellation of the Airbus Military A400M in 2009, the SAAF envisaged a transport trinity with the A400M as the heavy/strategic transport, a C130-type aircraft as a medium airlifter and a third type as a light utility aircraft.

http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32829:lockheed-martin-ready-to-assist-with-saaf-airlift-acquisition&catid=35:Aerospace&Itemid=107

autant pour moi

non c´est un Falco de selex

 

Citation :

Nouvel engagement pour les Rooivalk sud-africains en RDC



Au moins 40 civils ont été tués mercredi dans l'attaque du village de Kamango, dans l'est de la République démocratique du Congo. Mercredi à l'aube, des hommes armés se sont emparés de Kamango, peu protégé par l'armée régulière congolaise qui aurait perdu 5 hommes.

Dans l'après-midi des hélicoptères sud-africains Rooivalk de la brigade d'intervention de l'Onu ont pilonné les positions des assaillants et, en fin de journée, l'armée nationale a repris le contrôle de la ville.

La société civile du Nord-Kivu (associations, ONG, syndicats, ..) a affirmé que les auteurs de l'attaque étaient des rebelles ougandais des Forces alliées démocratiques-Armée nationale pour la libération de l'Ouganda (ADF-Nalu), groupe que la Monusco entend soumettre à son tour.

Deux Rooivalk étaient déjà intervenus le 4 novembre contre les rebelles du M23; c'était leur baptême du feu. Ils avaient alors tiré 55 roquettes en 5 salves, détruisant des positions de combat et une mitrailleuse lourde de 14,5mm.

http://lignesdedefense.blogs.ouest-france.fr/archive/2013/12/26/temp-374bc0f9ef8ff5e844fc6eaa64ad982d-10916.html  

Citation :

Navantia prepares an offer to South Africa six patrol vessels and twelve boats


04/02/2014
(Infodefensa.com) G. Soriano, Madrid - Navantia want to offer in the coming months to South Africa several patrol ships and boats, and the design of a survey vessel. A South African delegation, which eventually led unable to be as planned by its defense minister, Navantia visit this morning, two months before the expected start of the largest of these programs.




The Spanish company plans to qualify for the South African naval procurement program BIRO , which includes commissioned three ocean patrol vessels ( OPV , for its acronym in English), three coastal patrol ( IPV ) and twelve boats. The Spanish naval company estimates that the South African authorities issued its request for proposal ( RFP ) to shipyards shortlisted next April.
The supply of vessels that Navantia expected to opt BIRO program is based on your family Avante , consisting of surveillance and patrol vessels ranging from 45 meters in length and 295 tonnes displacement model Avante 300 , to 98.9 meters and 2,500 tons of Avante 2200 Combatant .
Then, about three months after BIRO program, called program will likely launch HOTEL , which includes the design of a hydrographic vessel which also provides opt Navantia.
Visit of the Minister of Defence
This morning visit of a delegation from Navantia African country led by its ambassador to Spain, Fikile Magubane , accompanied by the Chief of Staff of the Navy ( AJEMA ), Admiral Jaime Muñoz-Delgado . The South African Minister of Defence, N. Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula , who is visiting in Spain, has finally been able to attend this meeting, apparently by an indisposition, according to company sources.
Minister Mapisa-Nqakula itself was released yesterday facilities Airbus Defence and Space in Sevilla and Indra in Madrid, accompanied by Secretary of State for Defence ( SEDEF ), Pedro Argüelles . Minister's agenda includes a meeting with the Defense Minister Peter Morenés at the headquarters of the Ministry .
Navantia sources point out that South Africa has never been a customer of its products, but the company has always chosen to their offerings. In the '90s, for example, the Spanish firm participated in the process of choosing a program of corvettes was finally canceled the abolition of Apartheid , as the country chose to use the money for other purposes. The program recovered a few years later, but did not finally Navantia with the construction of these vessels.

http://www.infodefensa.com/es/2014/02/04/noticia-navantia-prepara-oferta-sudafrica-buques-patrulleros-lanchas.html?aleat=5763#googtrans(es|en)

Citation :

 Options for new SAAF maritime surveillance platforms


With approval, in principle at present from the National Treasury, Defence and Military Veterans Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula’s unhappiness about “her people” flying in aircraft more than 60 years old seems set to end, if only in a few years.
 
During his national budget speech last month Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan approved the acquisition of new maritime surveillance aircraft (MSA) in the 2015/16 fiscal term for the South African Air Force (SAAF).
 
The new aircraft, the number of which was not stipulated by Gordhan, will replace 35 Squadron’s C-47TPs, now well over 60 years old and the mainstay of the SAAF’s maritime patrol and surveillance capability.
 
Mapisa-Nqakula specifically mentioned the age of aircraft in the wake of the C-47TP crash in the Drakensberg in December 2012 which left 11 dead.
 
With the door now open for MSAs, two of the potential suppliers have both stressed the importance of acquisitions that can fulfil multiple missions rather than be dedicated to the single tasking of maritime surveillance.
 
Taking an extract from the draft Defence Review, hopefully still to be tabled during the current session of Parliament, Lockheed Martin points to the importance of airborne maritime surveillance. The Review states: “as a trading nation, with over 95% of our trade being reliant on maritime trade routes, the security of South Africa and its people is crucially dependant on the ability to trade, grow the economy, reduce poverty and provide meaningful work for South Africa’s people” and, in reference to the threat of piracy, “protection of the trade routes for merchant shipping is of vital national interest to the nation. No less than 75% of South Africa’s oil imports on which the economy depends arrives by sea from the Middle East.”
 
The United States aerospace and defence company’s relationship with the SAAF goes back more than 50 years, having delivered C-130 Hercules to the SAAF half a century ago. C-130BZs in service with 28 Squadron are still the SAAF’s major airlift and transport aircraft. However, with these nearing the end of their serviceable lives, Lockheed Martin maintains the new generation C-130J Super Hercules is the right replacement.
 
Apart from being able to do what the current SAAF BZ fleet does more efficiently, the J models are also multi-mission. This means configurations can be changed to suit specific taskings, ranging from transport of troops and equipment through to medevac, VIP transport, firefighting and maritime surveillance and patrol as well as search and rescue, an important tasking given South Africa’s responsibilities in terms of its massive economic exclusion zone.
 
In similar vein the C295 from the Airbus Defence and Space stable is also a true multi-mission aircraft. It offers transport in all its variants; maritime surveillance, unarmed with the option of either palletised or permanently installed mission systems; maritime patrol, armed and also with either palletised or permanently fitted mission systems as well as oil spill response and protection.
 
With no real prospect of growth in the defence budget, the SAAF would be getting “more bang for its buck” if aircraft acquisitions are of the multi-mission type. This would cut down on the number of platforms to be purchased and allow more different mission taskings.
 
These are only two of the possibilities SAAF acquisitions personnel will be investigating - many other manufacturers have also expressed interest in Project Saucepan, including RUAG, Saab, L-3, ATR and HAL. Another possibility comes from a suggestion made by retired lieutenant general Carlo Gagiano, when he headed up the airborne arm of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF).
 
He proposed acquiring a number of smaller twin-engined aircraft, in the King Air size, to be fitted with the requisite equipment and operated by SAAF Reserve Force pilots from airports along the country’s coastline. Given that current SAAF chief, Lieutenant General Zakes Msimang, has stated the revitalisation of the SAAF Reserve is one of his priorities, this could well add another arrow to the quiver that is maritime surveillance.
 
Reserve Force pilots based at say, Port Elizabeth, Durban and Cape Town, could utilise these SAAF assets, freeing up whatever other platforms are acquired for other duties.
 
All told, military aviation watchers maintain there are options aplenty available to the SAAF acquisitions personnel to beef up maritime surveillance and keep the seas off the country safe, essential given that South Africa is very much a maritime trading country.

http://rpdefense.over-blog.com/2014/03/options-for-new-saaf-maritime-surveillance-platforms.html

Citation :

‘Neglected South African military needs big investment’

SOUTH Africa’s cash-strapped armed forces are in a "critical state of decline" that will take at least a decade to fix even with urgent action, says a military strategy review seen by Reuters news agency.

It said "neglect" of defence capability could affect everything from border security to trade and constrain Pretoria’s continental peace-keeping and diplomatic ambitions.

A regular contributor to United Nations peace missions in Africa, South Africa has troops in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan, and its ships and frigates support antipiracy efforts off Mozambique.

But the 2014 South African Defence Review, seen by Reuters on Tuesday, says such deployments are under threat.

"Even with an immediate intervention, it could take at least five years to arrest the decline and another five years to develop a limited and sustainable defence capability," the review said. The long-term strategy document, approved this month by cabinet, is the first major assessment of the military capability of Africa’s biggest economy since one in 1998.

As specific examples, the report cited lack of proper ammunition, ageing military transport aircraft and "block obsolescence" of the army’s prime mission equipment, such as infantry trucks.

The required ammunition stock for the national reserve is supposed to supply an army mechanised brigade for 90 days in a mixture of high-, medium-and low-intensity operations, but current ammunition levels cannot support this.

Military analysts say the logistical shortcomings were brought into sharp relief in a nine-hour firefight with rebels in the Central African Republic last year in which 13 South African soldiers were killed.

But the report said a lack of funding was preventing modernisation of the 97,000-strong armed forces.

As a solution, the review suggested investment in heavy combat capability, to augment peace-keeping in high-risk situations, as well as enhancing missile, air-lift and joint sea-lift capabilities.

It did not specify what heavy combat capability should be, but experts said it could include attack

www.bdlive.co.z

Citation :

Upgrade for South Africa’s air defence system



German defence company Rheinmetall AG will be responsible for the modernisation of South Africa’s air defence systems.

“The contract was signed some days ago. Including logistics and training services with the complete package scheduled for completion by 2017,” the company, represented in South Africa by Rheinmetall Denel Munitions, with State owned Denel a 49% shareholder, said in a statement.

Among others, the contract will see Oerlikon Skyshield fire control systems being supplied to the SA National Defence Force (SANDF). These, the German company said, will substantially improve the performance and accuracy of the twin-gun systems currently used by the SA Army’s Air Defence Artillery Formation.

A number of guns will be retrofitted with upgrade kits to accommodate Rheinmetall’s state-of-the-art Ahead airburst ammunition.

“The new Skyshield technology will enable the SANDF to protect sensitive installations such as the Houses of Parliament, power plants, stadiums and other critical and civilian assets from a wide array of aerial threats, including asymmetric terrorist-type attacks. Because Skyshield air defence systems can be easily transported they can basically be deployed anywhere depending on the evolving threat situation,” the statement said.

The value of the contract was not disclosed.

South Africa is no stranger to Oerlikon, having acquired and used the former Oerlikon Contraves in the 1980s for air defence purposes.

The SA Army currently operates twin 35 mm air defence guns acquired from Rheinmetall ancestor company Oerlikon. The landward arm of the SANDF acquired 169 of these guns, along with 75 Superfledermaus fire control units (FCUs) in 1963. In 1990, 48 of these Mark (Mk) I guns were upgraded to Mk V status and the Superfledermaus fire control units replaced by Italian LPD20 radars, according to Engineering News.

Rheinmetall specialises in short range air defence systems, including fire control technology, anti-aircraft guns, integrated guided missile launchers and Ahead airburst ammunition.

An Ahead shell comprises 152 tungsten spin-stabilised sub-projectiles, which, when released, form a cone-shaped metal cloud, placed so the target, whether aircraft, missile or bomb, flies into it and is destroyed. The shells know when to detonate because an electronic timer is programmed, as it leaves the barrel, by an electromagnetic inductor in the gun muzzle. These inductors are fitted to the Mk VII guns.

http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=34175:upgrade-for-south-africas-air-defence-system&catid=50:Land&Itemid=105

Citation :

South African Air Force Plane Crash Kills 3




JOHANNESBURG — Three people were killed and two others seriously injured Tuesday when a South African air force plane crashed into mountains in the northeast of the country, police said.

Police said the dead were the two pilots and a passenger. All five were found trapped inside the wreckage of the plane after it crashed in Mpumalanga province shortly after 10 am (0800 GMT).

“There were five people on board, two were seriously injured and the other three died at the scene,” said police spokesman Selvy Mohlala.

The South African air force said the plane, a Cessna Caravan C208, was being used for training.

The cause of the accident is being investigated.

In 2010, seven policemen were killed in a helicopter crash in the same province.

http://www.defensenews.com

Citation :

Paramount readies AHRLAC for first flight

South African conglomerate Paramount unveiled a light attack and reconnaissance aircraft called the advanced high-performance reconnaissance light aircraft (AHRLAC) on 10 July in Pretoria.


Paramount

The twin-boomed, singled-engined AHRLAC – launched nearly three years ago – has completed initial high-speed taxi tests, and first flight is expected “shortly”, says Paramount chief executive John Craig.


Paramount

The 3,800kg (8,380lb) type will become the first aircraft designed and built in South Africa since the Denel Rooivalk, an armed helicopter launched during the Apartheid era.

The maiden flight of the experimental demonstrator should be followed within months by an advanced prototype, Craig says. The first demonstrator will focus on handling qualities, while the second will integrate sensors and weapons.

Paramount plans to offer the aircraft to the market early next year, with deliveries possible by 2016. AHRLAC is aimed at a developing market among military and paramilitary groups for a low-cost surveillance and attack platform. The South African air force is also monitoring the programme, Craig says, but Paramount is focusing on a wider, global market for orders.

Paramount is using US Part 23 regulations as the baseline for qualifying the basic airworthiness of the aircraft, but there are no plans to formally obtain civil certification.

http://www.flightglobal.com

un bronco ov 10

L'AHRLAC sud africain fera son premier vol le 13 août prochain :

Citation :

Inédit. Le premier avion 100% africain va décoller depuis l’Afrique du Sud, le 13 août 2014.

Le premier avion 100% africain, conçu en Afrique du Sud, prendra son envol le 13 août prochain, à 7 heures du matin, depuis l’aéroport Wonderboom de Pretoria. Près de 200 millions de dollars ont été déboursés par les deux constructeurs de l’avion, Aerodus et Paramount, pour le développement et la certification de l’appareil.

Une équipe de 60 ingénieurs africains a travaillé à la conception de cet appareil à mi-chemin entre un avion de chasse et un hélicoptère, au gabarit certes miniaturisé, mais compact, destiné à un usage militaire, et tout spécialement à la surveillance aérienne. Le cockpit peut transporter un pilote et un passager.

L’AHRLAC (Advanced High Performance Reconnaissance Light Air Craft) pourrait intéresser d’autres pays émergents en Afrique, Asie ou Amérique Latine. Le responsable de Paramount, Ivor Ichikowitz, dit avoir déjà signé un contrat de livraison de 50 engins avec un pays dont l’identité est gardée secrète.

Un appareil vulnérable en zone de combat

L’AHRLAC est « un très bon appareil pour opérer des missions d’observation, de reconnaissance et d’intelligence, mais je ne le vois pas vraiment dans des zones de combat. Il peut être vulnérable », souligne le spécialiste de la défense à l’Institut d’études de sécurité à Pretoria, Anton Kruger. Mais ce type d’appareil n’existe nul part ailleurs. « Il n’y a aucun appareil de ce type sur le marché », se réjouit le directeur d’Aerosud, Paul Potgieter.

L’AHRLAC pourrait se voir doter de systèmes armés par la suite. Selon les spécialistes, cet appareil, capable de voler durant 11 heures d’affilée, réunit toutes les technologies les plus modernes de l’industrie aéronautique militaire.

http://www.afrik.com/ok-afrique-du-sud-le-premier-avion-100-africain-pret-a-decoller

Citation :

South African Army preparing immediate response force

http://www.janes.com/article/41966/south-african-army-preparing-immediate-response-force

Citation :

Cape Armature Winders ready for the SA Navy




Cape Armature Winders was recently awarded an electrical contract in support of the South African Navy, to perform electrical repairs and services on their fleet of vessels, based across South African shores and 5 ports.

The South African Valour class frigates are the major surface ships of the South African Navy, comprising of the SAS Amatola, SAS Isandlwana, SAS Spioenkop, and the SAS Mendi. The frigates were designed to be capable of conducting sustained operations at sea, and to negotiate sea conditions such as those found off the South African coast. Boarding up to two AgustaWestland SuperLynx 300 helicopters, the frigates routine tasks include patrols for the protection of marine resources against poaching and pollution, law enforcement at sea with respect to piracy and the smuggling of contraband. The frigates are also tasked to peace and civil support missions, wartime duties and sea-denial/mine-laying missions.

Cape Armature’s work on this contract will consist of the repair and maintenance of electrical equipment to the Navy’s fleet.

“We will build on our record of superior service to the SA Navy, and enhance our services to meet their requirements,” said George Epenetos, Commercial director. “The SAN Officers deserve our very best service and technical expertise to prepare them for going to sea and being successful on their missions.”

Cape Armature Winders is a specialist in the repairs and overhauling of electric motors, generators and alternators. Based in Cape Town, they offer a complete solution to the SA Navy and commercial maritime industry, providing repairs and overhauling, installations, maintenance and support services.

http://cbn.co.za

Citation :

South Africa's first Type 209 sub returns to service after seven years

Helmoed-Römer Heitman, Pretoria - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly

22 October 2014

SAS Manthatisi (S 101), the first of three Type 209 submarines acquired by the South African Navy as part of the 1999 Strategic Defence Procurement Package, has re-entered service after a major refit and is participating in the biannual Exercise 'Ibsamar IV' in Cape waters with the Brazilian and Indian navies.


Manthatisi pictured before it was withdrawn from service in 2007. (South African Navy)

Commissioned in November 2005, the submarine has been subject to much speculation and disinformation since it was withdrawn from service in 2007.

Its withdrawal after less than two years prompted criticism from some commentators that South Africa had wasted its money on a non-operational submarine. However, the move was in line with the South African Navy's intention to operate two of the three submarines at any one time and keep one in reserve: the same operational cycle used with the Daphné-class submarines that the Type 209s replaced.

http://www.janes.com/article/44962/south-africa-s-first-type-209-sub-returns-to-service-after-seven-years

Citation :

Helicopter makes emergency landing on golf course

The navy helicopter's cockpit caught fire, forcing it to make an emergency landing.

CAPE TOWN – A South African Navy helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing at the Milnerton Golf Club after the cockpit caught fire on Monday afternoon.

Residents living near the golf course told Eyewitness News that the pilot made the emergency landing on the 11th hole.

There were no injuries, but residents said they were shaken by the incident.

Military police cordoned off the 11th hole where the chopper stood and nobody is being allowed near the scene as they work on the helicopter, which experienced an apparent electrical malfunction.

One resident told EWN she was blow drying her hair when she heard a loud noise above her house and a sudden “thud” when the chopper landed on the green.

(Edited by Phumlani Pikoli)

Citation :

Denel confirms Seeker 400 delivery

Helmoed-Römer Heitman, Pretoria - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
30 August 2015






The annual report of South Africa's Denel group states that its Seeker 400 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system has completed its flight test programme and has entered production for "our local customer".

The South African Air Force has not confirmed that it is re-establishing a UAV capability after having closed down its previous UAV unit, 10 Squadron, which operated Israeli Scout and Denel Seeker UAVs.

It is possible that the local customer for the Seeker 400 is the Defence Intelligence division and that there is still some indecision whether the air force will resume UAV operations on behalf of Defence Intelligence, or whether the latter will choose to establish an operating capability themselves, perhaps contracting Denel Dynamics to actually operate the aircraft.