Global tensions fuel defence demand as SA arms manufacturer signs drone deal
The agreement also comes as South Africa seeks to strengthen its defence manufacturing base.
South African arms manufacturer Milkor has entered into a partnership with French aerospace firm Safran Electronics & Defence to explore enhancements for its unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). This agreement, formalized with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), aims to integrate Safran's optronics and navigation systems into the Milkor 380 UAV and future models, such as the planned Milkor 780.
Daniel du Plessis, Milkor Africa's vice-president, stated that the collaboration primarily targets the improvement of surveillance, targeting, and navigation capabilities. Safran's EUROFLIR optronics payloads promise sharper, extended-range day and night surveillance and targeting, while the company's navigation expertise is expected to increase positioning accuracy and maintain reliability in environments where satellite signals are disrupted or obstructed.
Milkor has invested seven years in manufacturing the Milkor 380 and its components domestically, ensuring compatibility with various sensors and payloads. However, the partnership has not been accompanied by any formal technology-transfer agreements, specific local production targets, or commitments to localizing advanced systems.
The agreement arrives at a time when the global UAV market is becoming increasingly competitive, with manufacturers grappling with export restrictions, regulatory demands, and heightened scrutiny over the utilization of unmanned systems. Du Plessis noted that the Milkor 380 is already in operation in the Middle East, and the company is transitioning towards full-scale production while developing additional UAV systems.
This move coincides with South Africa's efforts to bolster its defence manufacturing sector. Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga recently hinted at the development of a defense industry policy as part of the national industrial policy action plan and emphasized the government's efforts to foster greater private sector collaboration in developing strategic capabilities.
Simultaneously, security agencies are increasingly relying on technology to secure the country's borders. The Border Management Authority (BMA) has been bolstering its use of surveillance and detection systems to counter illegal migration, smuggling, and cross-border crime, indicating a rising demand for sophisticated aerial monitoring platforms.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
