Military aviation is pivotal for Africa’s security: SAAF

South African Air Force (SAAF) Chief Lieutenant General Carl Moatshe emphasized the need for increased African collaboration in military aviation at the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) Conference in Pretoria. He argued that this is crucial for addressing threats such as terrorism, organized crime, maritime vulnerability, and instability, while avoiding the role of mere instruments of geopolitical power politics.

Speaking at the conference's closing session, Moatshe argued that achieving strategic awareness empowers nations to make decisions based on their own understanding instead of relying on information, systems, or priorities controlled by others. He noted that the foundations of air power are evolving rapidly, with artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous systems, drones, and cybersecurity concerns transforming both warfare and security.

Moatshe stressed that no African state can independently monitor every border, coastline, disaster zone, or conflict-afflicted area. He highlighted the importance of regional cooperation, using the example of a major regional flood or emergency. In such situations, space-based observation provides early warning, identifies affected populations, and a communication network is established.

This enables common operational picture sharing, medical support, evacuation, food and water movement, and the utilization of unmanned systems to survey damaged infrastructure in inaccessible areas. Civilians, armed forces, industry, and communities then work from the same trusted information picture, resulting in a faster, more accurate response.

He acknowledged the challenges faced by South Africa, including budget constraints, maintenance demands, and a scarcity of skilled personnel. Moatshe stated that capabilities must be judged by their readiness, utility, and sustainability rather than simply by acquisition announcements. He suggested that integrating and improving existing systems, strengthening research capabilities, enhancing space and maritime domain awareness, building local maintenance and production capacity, and investing in sovereign research and development could help address these issues.

Moatshe advocated for trusted international partnerships that maintain decision-making and operational autonomy, rather than those that conceal dependency under the guise of development. At the continental level, he emphasized the need for aviation and space solutions that can be developed, maintained locally, and integrated responsibly.

He added that Africa requires pilots, engineers, data analysts, drone operation specialists, space law experts, and policymakers. Moatshe concluded by emphasizing that the future security of Africa will not be achieved solely through technology, but by people who understand technology and can sustain and adapt it.