South African National Defence Force (SANDF)

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Cytoon Tactical Intelligence System Handed to South African Army

The South African Army yesterday afternoon officially received its new tactical intelligence system acquired over the last several years under Project Cytoon.

The SA Army Tactical Intelligence Corps last year began operational testing and evaluation of the system that was project managed by Thales South Africa. A company spokesman last July said testing had begun in August 2010 and was by September “going fairly well.”

Project Cytoon will see the gain 14 Thales Squire ground surveillance radars, 65 Thales Sophie thermal imagers, processors and communications equipment as part of a battlefield surveillance and mobile intelligence processing system. “Thales has teamed up with various local and international partners whose products have also been integrated,” the company said at the Africa Aerospace & Defence exhibition in Cape Town in September. “The system has been designed to address the exclusive intelligence requirements of the SANDF, and in doing so established a unique state of the art intelligence gathering system. Project Cytoon has been completed and is ready for commissioning into the SANDF. Operational field tests are being conducted at this moment where-after the SANDF will receive the system. The system will be complemented soon with the delivery of a training system to support the specific training needs of the South African Army Intelligence Formation.”

The cost of the programme is not in the public domain but was at least R137 246 961.00* by July last year.

Battlefield surveillance radars are used to detect and classify moving ground targets, typically up to 20km to 30km. Additionally, they assist artillery and mortar units by giving feedback on shell impact. Besides battlefield use, these radars can also be deployed in peacetime to safeguard high-value area assets such as oilfields, power stations and grids, as well as other important potential targets for terrorist or criminal acts.

Battlefield surveillance radars also assist in counter-drug operations and monitoring illegal border crossings. As an example, the Thales Squire man-portable system, which was ordered for Cytoon, can plot a pedestrian at 10km, a vehicle at 21km, a tank at 28km, a helicopter at 21km, a boat at 12km and a ship at 48km, Thales avers. Because it uses a frequency modulated continuous wave Doppler radar, the Squire is also virtually undetectable to hostile electronic warfare experts, it adds.

Thermal imagers detect radiation in the infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum. Since most objects emit such radiation, thermal imagers allow their users to "see" their surroundings with or without visible light. The warmer the object, the brighter the object appears in the imager. Humans, with an internal body temperature of 37 degrees Celsius tend to stand out against their surroundings, which are mostly cooler. This also allows thermal imagers to spot camouflaged targets. Many modern thermal imagers include an eye-safe laser rangefinder and pointer, a compass, GPS and digital camera. The Thales Sophie can spot humans at over 4km, tanks at 10km, helicopters at 12km and jet fighters at 16km, Thales says.

defpro

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South Africa puts out call for OPV design


The South African Navy (SAN) has confirmed that it will be building new Offshore Patrol Vessels, having requested options from the international defence industry.

The programme, known as Project Biro, released a Request for Information in 2011 and is expected to issue a Request for Quotations before the end of 2012. It includes plans to also acquire Inshore Patrol Vessels.

Recent reports suggest that the final roll out will consist of eight OPVs and six IPVs, replacing the current three T-Craft IPVs and three remaining strike vessels. In a nod to modernisation efforts, the new OPVs are expected to carry Autonomous Underwater Vehicles.

Taking the same approach as other BRICs countries undergoing modernisation and expansion at this time, the ships will be built indigenously, ensuring that the South African economy benefits directly from the project and that the ability to upgrade the vessels over the coming 30 to 40 years exists on home soil.

According to defenceWeb, Rear Admiral Bernhard Teuteberg, the Chief Director of Maritime Strategy emphasised the importance of building not just the ships but the very culture of shipbuilding and maintenance on a domestic level, of which it already has much experience.

“One of the reasons is that only 20 per cent of the cost of an OPV is acquisition,” said Teuteberg.

“Eighty per cent goes into the life-cycle of that vessel. We have to ensure that we have the ability in South Africa, to maintain, redevelop if necessary, where necessary, [and] in time.”

The Navy will likely be prioritising flexibility and modularity when making its decision on the contract being that it will continue to augment and refit the same platforms for several decades.

Of the companies who have sought involvement in Project Biro, several signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2011 to pitch their vessels for consideration, including DCNS and KND partnering for the French Gowind-class, Veercraft Marine and Navantia for the Avante-class, and a project for the joint powers of Damen and Lurssen Werft.
Def-QI

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Final Rooivalk to be delivered to SAAF in August
The last of eleven upgraded Rooivalk attack helicopters will be delivered to the South African Air Force at the end of August, while two will be delivered at the end of this month.

Denel today said that two more Rooivalks were recently handed over to the South African Air Force (SAAF), bringing the total of upgraded combat support helicopters that can be operationally deployed to eight.

Mike Kgobe, CEO of Denel Aviation, said all the delivered aircraft have been upgraded to the required deployment baseline as determined by Cabinet.

Kgobe said that Denel Aviation was receiving excellent feedback from the SAAF, especially from 16 Squadron at Air Force Base Bloemspruit, where the first batch of helicopters has now been flying continuously for more than a year.

The aircraft have already been deployed in joint military exercises conducted by the SANDF and have proven their value in a combat support role, the company said in a statement. On May 10 Rooivalks took part in the SAAF’s biennial Air Capability Demonstration, which was followed shortly after by Exercise Savannah Thunder, a combat search and rescue and humanitarian support exercise. “The Rooivalk is flying on a daily basis and both Denel Aviation and the SAAF are very satisfied with its performance,” said Kgobe.

At the Air Force Day Parade earlier this year, the Chief of the SAAF, Lieutenant Gen Carlo Gagiano said the Rooivalk “is a system we cannot be without.” If the Air Force is called on to perform peace-keeping operations the Rooivalk is “the first aircraft I would send,” he said.

“This is a product that the South African public can be proud of – locally designed, locally manufactured and already successfully deployed by the Air force,” said Kgobe.

Dewald Steyn, the project manager: Rooivalk, at Denel Aviation said the performance of the aircraft is being closely monitored and evaluated from a design and development perspective. According to Denel, the helicopter has exceeded expectations and no major maintenance or repair work has thus far been required

As design authority and original equipment manufacturer Denel Aviation is responsible to ensure that the Rooivalk remains fully operational throughout its assigned life. The company is continuing with the upgrading of the final three of the 11 aircraft in the Rooivalk fleet. At the same time design and development work has already started on upgraded versions of the helicopter – as part of the company’s “post-1F programme.”

The objective is to fit the Rooivalk with extended and long-range fuel tanks that will significantly increase its range of operations enabling the SAAF to deploy the helicopter over longer distances, said Steyn.

The first six Rooivalk Mk 1F helicopters were ceremonially handed over the Air Force on April 1 last year after 130 modifications to each aircraft. A major feature of the work is upgrading the sighting system on the Rooivalk for improved reliability.

The upgrade programme includes the significant remanufacturing of certain gearbox mounting components that were found to be out of specification on a number of aircraft and had caused problems in the past.

The troublesome F2 20mm cannon has also reportedly been cured of overheating and reliability problems. Although the Rooivalk is cleared to carry the Denel Dyamics Mokopa precision-guided missile, the SAAF has yet to buy any of the missiles and for the moment the attack helicopter is armed with a chin-mounted 20 mm turreted cannon and under-wing pods firing Forge Zeebrugge 70 mm unguided rockets.

However, Rheinmetall Denel, which manufactures components for the Mokopa, says there are some development issues still being worked out on the missile but that it is very confident of an order at some stage in the future.

Although the Rooivalks could fly before the upgrades, they were not truly operational and could not be deployed, for example, to support United Nations peacekeeping operations.

The Rooivalk project started its design phase in 1984 and had its first flight in April 1990. A dozen were manufactured for the Air Force, but one was written off in a crash several years ago.

defenceweb

Citation :

Nouvelles flottes d'avions et navires
http://m.afriquinfos.com/noticia.asp?id=205668

Citation :

No pilot school for Overberg: defence


There will not be a Gripen fighter weapon school at Air Force Base Overberg in the Western Cape, the defence department said on Wednesday.

18 July 2012 | Sapa

JOHANNESBURG - "The SA National Defence Force notes with concern the insinuations [that it will] partner with Saab to establish [the school]," department spokesman Siphiwe Dlamini said in a statement.

"We would like to place on record that there has never been any discussion between Saab and the SANDF."

Last week, defence and security company Saab announced on its group website that it was investing in an advanced training centre for experienced fighter pilots at Air Force Base Overberg.

Dlamini said the report that the school would be established in Overberg was "devoid of truth".

"The Air Force Base Overberg is a sensitive security establishment of the SANDF and will remain solely in the hands of the SANDF," he said.

citizen

aw109

Bonjour je tiens à que cette video soit sur ce topic, ca va rappeller la junte et bouzabal de la nature de l'afrique du sud, en soi c'est de la meme trompe un régime tueurs.

La police de rustenburg tire à balle réelle sur des mineurs qui fesait la grève 16/08/2012

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Not one of the R8 billion arms deal submarines is operational

Citation :

SA Navy submarines in the dry dock at Simon's Town Naval Base. S102, rear, is in for routine maintenance, while S103, front, apparently hit the ocean floor, hence the protective blue plastic hiding it from sight.

South Africa's fleet of attack submarines, which cost an estimated R8-billion in the infamous arms deal, are all in dry dock after the only operational vessel crashed into the seabed.


The SAS Queen Modjadji, named after South Africa's rain queen who lived in Limpopo, struck the ocean floor while conducting training exercises between Port Elizabeth and Durban last week.

The Sunday Times photographed the German-built submarine undergoing repairs in Simon's Town this week.

And yesterday the SA Navy acknowledged she had been damaged during a "training exercise".

This means that all three submarines - meant to police the oceans - are presently undergoing repairs and maintenance.

The SAS Manthatisi, the first of the country's submarines acquired in the multibillion-rand arms deal, has been in the dry dock since 2007 after a series of mishaps, including crashing into a quay and damaging her steering mechanism.

Then a power cable was incorrectly plugged into her shore power-supply system, causing damage. The vessel's propulsion batteries, which cost R35-million, are being replaced.

The SAS Charlotte Maxeke is also busy with "routine maintenance", according to navy chief director maritime strategy Rear Admiral Bernhard Teuteberg.

Now a full navy board of inquiry has been appointed to investigate what happened to the Queen Modjadji.

The submarine was the only one of the country's three hi-tech submarines operational at sea when she was damaged.

Teuteberg said: "We did a proper technical investigation and now we have convened a board of inquiry to look at all the procedures to see whether there is something we can learn from this.

"As soon as that is completed, we will adapt our procedures of conducting this specific set of safety drills."

He downplayed the latest incident, and insisted the submarine could be back in the water "within days".

However, he said repair work to the vessel's nose would be completed later in the month.

The accident is the latest in a string of submarine incidents over the past two years and comes three months after the Queen Modjadji welcomed a new commander, Commander Handsome Thamsanqa Matsane.

The fleet of submarines cost over R6-billion - rising to R8-billion in interest costs - and cost tens of millions every year to maintain and operate.

This week, the Sunday Times established that:

• The accident took place during a safety drill involving the Queen Modjadji's hydraulic system;
  
• The vessel's outer hull, about 7.8mm thick, suffered a serious dent on impact with the seabed;
  
• She surfaced after impact and continued sailing to Durban, where she was checked by a team of divers; and
  
• Afterwards, the submarine returned to Cape Town and was taken out of the water and inspected by senior officials.
  

Teuteberg said he flew to Simon's Town naval base to inspect the damaged submarine.

"I personally went down from Pretoria to Simon's Town to go and have a look at the submarine and speak to the crew.

"When I initially heard about [the accident], I thought, 'Hell, this must have been a bump' ... I spoke to the captain and the officers. Some of them said they didn't even notice the bump."

The vessel's black boxes - which keep a record of her movements and functioning of her equipment - would help determine the cause of the incident, he said.

However, defence experts yesterday said the accident raised serious concerns.

Parliament defence portfolio committee member David Maynier said: "A full board of inquiry will have to be convened to determine what went wrong and recommend ways to prevent a similar incident in the future. There can be absolutely no compromise when it comes to submarine safety."

South Africa purchased four frigates, three submarines, helicopters, jet training aircraft and Gripen fighter jets in a Strategic Defence Procurement Process that, in 1999, came with an estimated price tag of R30-billion. That figure has since ballooned to an estimated R70-billion, taking financing costs into account.

President Jacob Zuma established a commission of inquiry into the arms deal in September last year to probe allegations of fraud, corruption and impropriety.

Arms deal activist Terry Crawford-Browne said the incident was further proof of the folly of the arms deal. "South Africa has not yet paid for these submarines. They are being financed by Commerzbank until 2016, these loans being underwritten by Hermes and German taxpayers," he said.

Former ANC MP and author Andrew Feinstein, who has written extensively about the international arms trade, said the latest submarine incident raised familiar questions about the logic behind South Africa's arm deal.

"This is another example of what happens in arms deals all the time, but it seems to be happening more than most in our deals. We were sold equipment that seems to be of dubious quality, we were sold it at inflated prices because of the bribes that were paid, and the performance of this equipment across the board has been, to put it politely, very poor," said Feinstein.

He said submarine manufacturer Ferrostaal was under fire for corrupt dealings with Greece and Portugal, whose own arms deals contributed to the current European fiscal crisis: "This [South Africa's submarine deal] is a déjà-vu situation with Portugal and Greece.

"South Africans need to ask ourselves, especially with the arms deal commission of inquiry: was this an appropriate use of our money, given this latest disaster with the submarines?

"Do South Africans who don't have enough to eat today, nor adequate shelter, healthcare or education, believe that this was an appropriate way to spend R70-billion?"

Hawks boss Anwar Dramat last year rejected calls to probe Ferrostaal, a member of the German submarine consortium that supplied the three submarines to South Africa. The company was implicated in making questionable payments to South African "consultants" involved in the arms deal.

Teuteberg said in 2007 that it would cost the navy over R34-million a year to operate its fleet of submarines - R7.8-million each.

http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/2012/08/12/not-one-of-the-r8-billion-arms-deal-submarines-is-operational

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Final Gripen fighters to be delivered in September

The final four Gripen fighter jets purchased by South Africa are being prepared for arrival in South African in mid-September.

South Africa purchased nine dual-seat and seventeen single-seat aircraft from Sweden in 2008 as part of the strategic defence equipment package. All nine dual-seat Gripen D aircraft have already been delivered, while 13 of the Gripen C have been delivered.

Armscor, the South African arms procurement agency, is responsible for the delivery of the aircraft to South Africa once they have been handed over by the aircraft manufacturer, SAAB, in Sweden.

The final four single-seat aircraft were retained in Sweden to take part in Exercise Lion Effort in May. This was a major international exercise in which all major Gripen operators participated, including South Africa.

The final batch of aircraft, commencing with Gripen C 3126, was towed by road from Kungsängens airport to the port of Norrköping on August 29.

The aircraft will be loaded aboard the cargo vessel Aarchangelgracht (registered in Amsterdam) at the port of Norrkoping. The ship is due to arrive in Table Bay Harbour, Cape Town in mid-September, from where they aircraft will be towed to the nearby Ysterplaat air force base. They will be made ready for flight at the air force base prior to departing for AFB Makhado in the Limpopo province.

The first instrumented Gripen D was delivered in April 2008 and is based at the SAAF's Test flight and Development Centre near Bredasdorp in the southern Cape, together with a single-seat Gripen C. The balance of the aircraft is assigned to 2 Squadron at AFB Makhado.

The Gripen and other military aircraft are expected to wow the public at the international Africa Aerospace and Defence air show taking place at AFB Waterkloof on 22 and 23 September.

www.defenceweb.co.za

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Brazil offers retired Hercules transports to South Africa
Brazil has offered four surplus Lockheed Hercules four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft to the South African Air Force.

The unsolicited offer, directed by the Brazilian Air Force (Força Aérea Brasileira, FAB) to the SAAF in July this year, comprises threeC-130E and one SC-130E Hercules aircraft.

The SAAF took delivery of seven new C-130B Hercules in 1963, of which six remain in use. Three ex-US Navy C-130F aircraft were acquired in 1996, with a further two ex-US Air Force C-130Bs delivered in 1998, all under the United States Excess Defense Articles Program.

The F models were retired shortly after delivery, but the nine C-130B Hercules were upgraded and modernised between 1996 to 2009 to the C-130BZ configuration, incorporating a modern glass cockpit.

The C-130E model is essentially an extended range version of the C-130B. A 1,360 US gal (5,150 L) external fuel tank is installed under each wing, together with structural improvements and a higher gross weight.

Brazil acquired eight C-130Es between 1964 and 1968, followed by three SC-130E models in 1969. The SC-130E is a Search and Rescue (SAR) version of the C-130E, featuring additional crew posts and two large observation windows.

The SAAF is struggling to meet its transportation commitments and the Hercules fleet is being stretched by financial and maintenance issues. Only a handful are believed to be in service, with at least two out of service, awaiting repair.

South Africa withdrew from the Airbus Military A400M programme in 2009 when the order for eight of the European strategic military transport and tanker aircraft was cancelled. The existing C-130BZs are projected to keep flying until 2020, but the Air Force has yet to issue a request for information (RFI) or a request for proposals (RFP) for replacements.

The Air Force is currently seeking maritime patrol and medium transport aircraft as part of Project Saucepan.

The Brazilian offer includes two C-130E models in airworthy condition, having last flown in July and November 2011. A further C-130E, which last flew in 2007, has no engines, propellers and various other components, whilst the single SC-130E last flew in April 2010 and is also missing its engines, propellers and Auxiliary Power Unit (APU).

The addition of the Brazilian aircraft would certainly come in useful for the SAAF which is understood to have only four Hercules aircraft available every day. While the Brazilian aircraft have already undergone a Centre Wing Structural Replacement program, they will require significant additional funding to upgrade the aircraft to the current C-130BZ standard in service with the SAAF today.

The SAAF has not yet responded to the FAB offer and it appears that South Africa will have to wait a while longer to supplement its transport force.

www.defenceweb.co.za

Citation :

South African National Defense soldiers (SANDF) stand guard outside the Karee mine, near Rustenburg September 17, 2012. South African police stopped ANC renegade Julius Malema from addressing striking miners on Monday as the government intensified efforts to contain labour unrest at mines in the world's top platinum producer.




South African National Defense soldiers (SANDF) stand guard outside the Karee mine, near Rustenburg September 17, 2012. South African police stopped ANC renegade Julius Malema from addressing striking miners on Monday as the government intensified efforts to contain labour unrest at mines in the world's top platinum producer.




South African National Defense soldiers (SANDF) stand guard outside the Karee mine, near Rustenburg September 17, 2012. South African police stopped ANC renegade Julius Malema from addressing striking miners on Monday as the government intensified efforts to contain labour unrest at mines in the world's top platinum producer.

AAD-2012

Badger IFV ( version sud-af du Patria AMV ) c'est le remplaçant des Ratel



Mbombe Wheeled Armoured Fighting Vehicle


Olifant MkII MBT



Rooikat 105


RG-32M


Valkiri MkII MLRS

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AAD: Ruag offers South Africa Do 228NG deal

Ruag is pitching its Do 228NG (New Generation) for a requirement to replace the South African air force's antiquated Douglas DC-3 maritime patrol aircraft fleet.

As part of its offer, the Swiss company is proposing a private/public partnership model through which it would raise the capital required to lease the aircraft, says Klaus-Peter Leinauer, its vice-president of sales.

Ruag

Ruag would also provide initial training and logistical support, such as supplying spare parts, with the company to partner with a local firm for many of those activities, Leinauer says.

South Africa would provide the hangars, fuel and parts storage facilities under the proposal, along with supplying pilots and further crew training.

Leinauer says Ruag is prepared to discuss a 10-year deal that would involve the provision of 1,000 flight hours per year.

flightglobal.com

Citation :

AgustaWestland Signs Support Contract for South Africa’s AW109LUH Fleet




14:42 GMT, September 24, 2012 AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce the signing of a comprehensive service support contract for the South African Air Force’s fleet of AW109LUH helicopters.

The annual contract includes the provision for it to be extended for up to 5 years. Under the contract AgustaWestland will be responsible for the delivery and provision of spares, support equipment, D-Level maintenance as well as component repair and overhaul services. AgustaWestland will also provide an on-site support team, technical support services, training and technical publication updates under the comprehensive support contract.

Patrick Chabrat, Head of Regional Sales, AgustaWestland, said “This wide ranging support contract will maximise aircraft availability whilst providing through life support cost savings to the customer. The AW109LUH has proven itself to be an ideal multi-role helicopter for the South African Air Force and this contract will enhance the availability of the aircraft to perform the wide range of tasks it is assigned.”

AgustaWestland is a world leader in the provision of integrated support services for military helicopter fleets where operators want to leverage on AgustaWestland’s experience to reduce the costs of through life support whilst increasing aircraft availability. In the UK AgustaWestland’s award winning Integrated Operational Support (IOS) programmes are support the Ministry of Defence’s fleets of Sea King, AW101, Apache and AW159 helicopters. The South African Air Force purchased 30 AW109 LUH helicopters and it has now become the world's best selling military light-twin helicopter, with orders for over 100 helicopters placed by customers around the world.

The AW109 LUH is able to satisfy a wide range of land-based as well as sea-based requirements. The AW109 LUH offers state-of-the-art mission-dedicated technology and equipment enhancing operational effectiveness while reducing pilot workload, together with unmatched performance, reliability, availability, serviceability and safety standards.

The South African Air Force aircraft feature an ergonomic cockpit with three 6” x 8” flat screen digital displays which are Night Vision Goggle (NVG) compatible. The aircraft can be flow single-pilot IFR/IMC and is highly manoeuvrable and has a maximum cruise speed of 283 km/h (153 knots).

Operators use their AW109 LUHs in the most varied and demanding weather and environmental conditions, from the arctic to the tropics, to perform many roles including advanced training, troop transport, medical evacuation, search and rescue, maritime patrol, observation, armed escort and anti-armour. The AW109 LUH is operated by the armed forces of several nations including Sweden, South Africa, New Zealand and Malaysia.

defpro

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Durban-based Southern African Shipyards is refurbishing the South African Navy’s three surviving strike craft, converting them to offshore patrol vessels.

Southern African Shipyards told defenceWeb that the main work being performed on the vessels related to electrical, mechanical and general hull maintenance and involved refurbishment, replacement and repainting.

The first vessel, SAS Isaac Dyobha (P1565), arrived in Durban on 11 October and after discharging all her fuel, oils and stores, was transferred to SA Shipyards’ floating dock and mounted on specially constructed cradles, where refurbishment began. The vessel was due to be brought out of the water yesterday.

The next vessel to arrive is SAS Makhanda (P1569), which because of her present condition, has to be towed to Durban and is due to arrive around 6 November, SAS said. The two vessels will then be moved into SA Shipyards’ maintenance hall, which is insulated from the weather.

Finally SAS Galeshewe (P1567) is due to arrive in Durban in mid-December. All weapons were removed in Simonstown prior to the vessels leaving for Durban. SAS Isaac Dyobha will finish its re-fit first so its departure from SA Shipyards’ premises is planned to be synchronized with SAS Galeshewe being brought into the maintenance hall.

The project is expected to be completed by the end of March 2013, when both Makhanda and Galeshewe are re-floated and complete their respective sea trials.

“At the end of the programme the Navy will have three serviceable reliable vessels that it will be able to use effectively for their relevant missions,” SAS said. “This programme is a home coming for all three vessels as this was their original birth place and a number of the supervisors and other staff at SA Shipyards remember building vessels almost 30 years ago.”

A decade ago it was announced that the South African Navy’s strike craft would be withdrawn in preparation for the arrival of four Meko 200 frigates from Germany. These were gradually retired, leaving the three remaining boats.

Lucinda Creamer, PRO/Marketing Officer at Southern African Shipyards, said her company received the contract to refurbish the strike craft in October 2012. “We would like to commend the South African Navy and Department of Defence for their commitment to New Growth Path and National Development Plan by awarding the contract to a South Africa based Company, therefore enhancing local content, job creation and industrial technological stimulation.”

The South African Navy received nine Warrior class (ex-Minister class) strike craft in the 1970s and 1980s. Three were built by Israeli Shipyards in Haifa while the other six were built by Sandock Austral in Durban (now Southern African Shipyards).

The main contract with Israel was signed in August 1974. Due to the arms embargo put in place against the apartheid-era government in 1977, an order for two corvettes and two submarines from France was cancelled, leaving the strike craft as the Navy’s only surviving warship project. The three craft built in Israel were delivered in 1977 and 1978 while the South African Navy received the six locally built vessels between 1978 and 1986.

The South African strike craft were fitted with6-8 Gabriel Mk II surface-to-surface missiles, known locally as the Scorpion, and two Oto Melara 76 mm guns. Secondary armament comprised two 20 mm Oerlikon cannons and two 12.7 mm machineguns.

The 58-metre long strike craft displace 415 tons, or 450 tons fully loaded. Four MTU diesel engines developing 12 000 hp give a speed of at least 34 knots (60 km/h) and a range of around 4 800 nautical miles (8 900 km) at 19 knots (35 km/h).

It is believed that the strike craft, and minehunters, will be partially replaced by inshore and offshore patrol vessels being acquired under Project Biro.

www.defenceweb.co.za

Citation :

Navy keen to retain offshore patrol skills

The South African Navy is keen to retain the three Warrior-class (ex Minister class) strike craft as offshore patrol vessels for as long as possible.

“What we are building with those patrol vessels is for the future acquisition of offshore patrol vessels under Project Biro. That is why we must keep those vessels as long as we can when we can transfer crews from those to the new patrol vessels,” Rear Admiral (JG) Bravo Mhlana, South African Navy Director Force Preparation, told defenceWeb.

The three surviving strike craft, of nine originally received in the in the 1970s and 1980s, are being refurbished and converted into offshore patrol vessels by Durban-based Southern African Shipyards. The first vessel, SAS Isaac Dyobha (P1565), arrived in Durban on 11 October. After discharging all her fuel, oils and stores, the vessel was transferred to Southern African Shipyards’ floating dock and mounted on specially constructed cradles, where refurbishment began.

The next vessel to undergo refurbishment is SAS Makhanda (P1569), which left Simon’s Town under tow on 3 November. Finally SAS Galeshewe (P1567) is due to arrive in Durban in mid-December. The Galeshewe has just left Simon’s Town to commence a patrol up the east coast.

Southern African Shipyards told defenceWeb that the main work being performed on the vessels related to electrical, mechanical and general hull maintenance and involved refurbishment, replacement and repainting.

Since the commissioning of the four Valour-class frigates in 2004/5, both Isaac Dyobha and Galeshewe have been used in the Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) role. With the addition of SAS Makhanda, Mhlana explained that the three vessels allow the Navy “to beef up on the patrol side.”

Another motive for refurbishing the vessels is to allow them to be used in the training role. “To ensure our sailors get maximum exposure, we are also going to use those vessels for the young recruits that we receive from (naval training base) SAS Saldanha where we promote a seagoing culture,” Mhlana said.

Fixing these vessels, Mhlana says, will allow the young sailors to have the opportunity to go to sea in addition to the vessels conducting patrols. As the Navy is manning the fisheries research and patrol vessels on behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), there will be further sea-trained personnel to transfer to the OPV fleet once the DAFF fleet is returned.

All weapons are removed in Simon’s Town prior to the vessels leaving for refurbishment in Durban. However, the Navy intends to retain the currently fitted weapons when used in the OPV role. This includes one OTO Melara 76mm/62 naval gun, two 20 mm cannon and two 12.7 mm machine guns.

The refurbishment project is expected to be completed by the end of March 2013. Once refurbished, the three vessels will remain in Durban, based at the re-established Durban Naval Base at Salisbury Island (situated inside Durban Harbour).

www.defenceweb

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Zille urges army deployment amid farm protests
Thursday 15 November 2012 08:08

Western Cape Premier Helen Zille has reiterated her call for the deployment of the army in the Western Cape amid farm workers violent protests. Zille says yesterday there was complete anarchy and many places were on fire.


She says she needs President Jacob Zuma to respond to her plea as soon as possible by instructing the Minister of Military Affairs to deploy the army " in a crisis such as this".


Presidential spokesperson Mac Maharaj says the President cannot just decide to send in the army, he needs to consult ans find a sustainable solution. He says the President needs to work together with the police and if reinforcement is necessary, the police will indicate that.


Zille says that the people who have been in the forefront of this strike are the seasonal workers from Lesotho. They are unable to get work because they don't have the required papers. She says farmers are reluctant to employ them as they can be fined as much as R150 000.
http://www.sabc.co.za/news/a/8a7be0004d74e68da0cff1e570eb4ca2/Zille-urges-army-deployment-amid-farm-protests-20121511

Citation :

Il emprunte un avion de l'armée pour aller voir un ami à l'étranger

Un pilote de l'armée de l'air sud-africaine a été mis à pied après avoir emprunté un appareil de service pour aller voir un ami demeurant à l'étranger, a-t-on appris auprès du ministère de la Défense mercredi.

Il a été "mis à pied et suspendu de vol", a indiqué la ministre de la Défense Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, en réponse à une question parlementaire.

Le pilote, identifié dans les médias comme le lieutenant N.S.K. Bulwana, s'est mis aux commandes d'un petit Cessna 172, direction Gaborone, où résidait son ami, lui-même employé de l'aéroport de la capitale du Botswana.

Il n'a soumis aucun plan de vol ni même demandé l'accès à l'espace aérien du Botswana.

Le ministère de la Défense a aussi dû sévir contre une femme officier, surprise en train de faire ses courses au supermarché, sanglée dans son uniforme mais avec de très voyantes pantoufles roses au pied. Elle a été "réprimandée".

http://www.7sur7.be/7s7/fr/1504/Insolite/article/detail/1541105/2012/11/28/Il-emprunte-un-avion-de-l-armee-pour-aller-voir-un-ami-a-l-etranger.dhtml?utm_source=RSSReader&utm_medium=RSS

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SAAF plane missing over Drakensberg
2012-12-05 23:35


Cape Town - A South African Air Force aircraft, reportedly with former president Nelson Mandela's medical team on board, has gone missing over the Drakensberg Mountain in KwaZulu-Natal on Wednesday.

The plane - an SAAF Air Force DC3 or C-47TP aircraft of 35 Squadron, a type of aircraft known fondly in local aviation circles as the Dakota - was en route from Waterkloof Air Force Base to Mthatha in the Eastern Cape.

The route is used weekly by the medical team looking after Mandela's health in Qunu, according to eNCA news.

It was reported that 11 people were on board when the DC3 went missing.

According to aviation website saairforce.co.za "reports state that the aircraft last communicated with air traffic control when above Giants Castle in the Drakensberg Mountains, stating that they were at 11 000 feet and flying in Instrument Meteorological Conditions due to the bad visibility.

"The aircraft never arrived at Mthatha Airport."

It is believed the aircraft left Waterkloof at 08:00 on Wednesday morning. The alarm was raised at 12:00 when it failed to arrive in Mthatha.

SAAF spokesperson Xolani Mabanga confirmed that a search and rescue operation has been launched and will resume at first light on Thursday morning.

The search has been narrowed down using triangulation based on cellphone signals of 3 of the passengers on board.

An Oryx helicopter from Bloemfontein was tasked to search for the missing aircraft, but had to abandon the search due to the very bad weather in the area. Farmers in the area have also been contacted to help with the search.

Just last month a Dakota made a hard landing at Mthatha airport.

The Dakota is a WWII vintage aircraft which does not normally have a black box or emergency radio beacons.

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Plane wreckage found in Drakensberg

The SA Air Force military plane carrying an estimated 11 people that went missing en route from Pretoria to Mthatha in the Eastern Cape on Wednesday has been found.
According to SAAF spokesman Brigadier-General Xolani Mabanga, the wreckage was found in Giants Castle in the Drakensberg in KwaZulu-Natal.
Mabanga said they would not reveal the number of people on board.
“There was a pilot and crew on board but we cannot reveal the numbers at this stage,” he said.
According to reports, the plane was carrying former president Nelson Mandela's medical team. The route is used weekly by the medical team looking after Mandela's health in Qunu.
The SAAF has confirmed that the plane - an SAAF Air Force DC3 or C-47TP aircraft of 35 Squadron known by the nickname “Dakota” - might have encountered problems but said there were no details about what happened.
However, It is believed that bad weather conditions may have contributed to the craft’s disappearance.
Mabanga said the plane’s last known location had been in the Ladysmith area in KwaZulu-Natal. However, other reports said it was last in radio contact in the Giants Castle area.
According to a statement made on the SAAF (unofficial) online forum, the Dakota was flying from Waterkloof in Pretoria when it encountered severe weather.
“Unconfirmed reports state that the aircraft last communicated with Air Traffic Control when above Giants Castle in the Drakensberg, stating that they were at 11 000 feet and flying in Instrument Meteorological Conditions due to the bad visibility. The aircraft never arrived at Mthatha Airport,” the statement said.
The forum’s administrator, Dean Wingrin, said that an Oryx helicopter crew was tasked with searching for the missing aircraft, but had to abandon the search due to the bad weather.
Wingrin, who is a reporter for the Defence Web, said the Dakota operated regular flights in that region and would on most occasions carry military personnel between airports.

dispatch.co.za

SAS Amatola ( F145 )

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South African Air Force Cheetah Aircraft (now retired from service)

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Navantia présente le BAM à l’Afrique du sud


Le Meteoro, tête de série des patrouilleurs du type BAMcrédits : NAVANTIA

Le nouveau patrouilleur hauturier espagnol est en opération de séduction, cette semaine, en Afrique du Sud. Du 19 au 22 décembre, le Relampago est en escale au Cap, où Navantia et les autorités espagnoles présentent les capacités de cet OPV (Offshore Patrol Vessel), proposé à la marine sud-africaine dans le cadre du futur programme BIRO, qui doit voir la réalisation de trois patrouilleurs océaniques. En compétition notamment avec le modèle français Gowind OPV, de DCNS, les Espagnols font notamment valoir que leur bâtiment a déjà réalisé, avec succès, différentes missions outre-mer, dont un déploiement réussis, à l’été dernier, dans le cadre de l’opération européenne Atalante de lutte contre la piraterie au large de la corne d’Afrique. A cette occasion, le Relampago s’est notamment illustré en portant assistance à 68 personnes en détresse dans une embarcation en panne de moteur au large de la Somalie.


Le Relampago sauvant des migrants au large de la Somalie (© : EUNAVFOR)

Troisième unité du type BAM (Buque de Accion Maritima), dont la tête de série, le Meteoro, est entrée en service en juillet 2011, le Relampago mesure 93.9 mètres de long pour 14.2 mètres de large. Affichant un déplacement de 2575 tonnes en charge, ce grand patrouilleur, conçu pour les missions océaniques, présente une autonomie très importante, soit 8000 milles à 15 nœuds et une quarantaine de jours d’opérations, avec une vitesse maximale de 21 nœuds. Armé par 35 marins, il dispose de logements pour 35 passagers, par exemple des forces spéciales, qui peuvent être mise en œuvre au moyen d’embarcations rapides. Le bâtiment dispose également d’une plateforme et d’un hangar pour un hélicoptère, et peut embarquer des conteneurs sur la plage arrière. Son armement, axé sur l’artillerie, comprend une tourelle de 76mm et deux canons de 25mm, ainsi que des mitrailleuses.
Un quatrième BAM, le Tornado, doit prochainement entrer en service au sein de l’Armada.

Exercice Seboka-12 - Octobre 2012