Mon séjour en Afrique du Sud (Cape Town)

The potential impact of renewed political upheaval in South Africa dominated the recent African Aerospace and Defense show, with attendees deliberating the possible effects on military programs.

The struggle between President Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma, the head of the ruling African National Congress party, resulted in Mbeki’s resignation as the air show ended. Zuma’s deputy, Kgalema Motlanthe, was expected to succeed Mbeki as president. The timing and schedule of military acquisition programs may fall foul of the strife.

The political machinations were a prominent subject at the show, held at South African Air Force Base Ysterplaat in the Cape region Sept. 17-21. Theoretically, the South African National Defense Force (SANDF) procurement and modernization efforts should be unaffected by the politicking. There remains the risk, however, that funded programs or new-start projects could be delayed.

South Africa’s force modernization package, launched in 1998, is nearing completion. The show was marked by the official delivery of the first four Saab Gripen fighter aircraft. Delivery of all 26 aircraft—nine two-seaters and 17 single-seaters—is due by 2011. Similarly, the last of the air force’s 24 BAE Systems Hawk 120 advanced jet trainer aircraft is about to be delivered.

In the rotary arena, the last five of the 30 AgustaWestland AW109 Light Utility Helicopters will be handed over in 2009, though there is a growing possibility that at least part of the option for another 10 will also be exercised.

The South African Air Force (SAAF) still anticipates taking the first of eight Airbus Military A400M transport aircraft toward the end of 2011, if development delays to the A400M program don’t interfere. All of the SAAF’s A400Ms are due to be delivered within a 24-month period once the handover commences.

But there is little else on the procurement horizon. Additional Cessna Caravan light utility aircraft may be purchased, but a direct replacement of old C-130 Hercules and re-engined C-47s remains tentative. A maritime patrol aircraft to fill the role of aging C-47 TurboDaks remains on the wish list only, as does the acquisition of some kind of airborne early warning aircraft.

In the near term, more procurements of unmanned aerial vehicles are likely, with local industry hawking several projects. Both the SAAF and industry are reluctant to detail further firm weapon acquisition plans for the Gripen and the Hawk, though. The Diehl BGT Iris-T imaging infrared dogfight missile is being purchased for the Gripen to provide an interim capability until development of the Denel Dynamics A-Darter missile is complete. This project is being developed with financial support from Brazil and the involvement of Brazilian guided-weapons company Mectron.

On top of the four AgustaWestland Super Lynx 300 helicopters the navy has received, the option for two more is expected to be converted into an order.

The country’s defense ministry appears to be pursuing a twin-track approach to sustaining the capability now provided by its 55-strong Oryx (Puma) medium-lift helicopter fleet. Some will be upgraded, but there is also an emerging requirement for a replacement earlier than previously planned. The new type would be embarked upon the two Landing Platform Dock ships being purchased through the Millennium program. While funding for Millennium is still 4-5 years away, discussions have begun over the purchase of 30-35 helicopters as part of the overall project.

The ambition with the Denel Rooivalk attack helicopter is to bring all 16 of the fleet to a common operational standard to reduce cost and simplify through-life logistics support.

Another factor impacting South African procurement plans is a shift in emphasis toward the army, which benefited little from the late-’90s arms package. As well as receiving a larger slice of the defense budget, the army is to get a greater share of any “special” acquisition plan. The focus is now on wheeled armored vehicles, protected trucks, light artillery, engineering equipment, infantry modernization and air defense, with the aim of forming two combined arms divisions, one mechanized and one infantry.

Even while big-ticket procurements for South Africa dwindle, the exhibition attracts aerospace and defense manufacturers as it provides a window on the region and the opportunity to meet delegations from other African states. The number of delegations was double that of the 2006 event.

photograph|image/tiff|GRIPEN INTERNATIONAL|The South African Air Force has formally taken delivery of the first four of 26 Saab Gripen combat aircraft it has on order.|