Denel is busy with more than a dozen major projects and programmes for the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), ranging from artillery upgrades to missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles and target drones.
In a May 28 presentation to the Joint Standing Committee on Defence, Denel provided an outline of its South African Department of Defence-funded multi-year programmes
On the landward side, these include Project Muhali for the obsolescence upgrade of the Army’s G6 self-propelled howitzers (due for completion in June 2021). This covers the replacement of obsolete items. Project Muhali is currently in the production phase, which entails the upgrade of 15 G6 systems over two years. Total value of the project is R144 million.
Project Topstar covers a gun laying and navigation system for the South African Army’s G5 and G6 artillery systems and 127 mm multiple rocket launchers (MRLs). “The system will provide laying, navigation, orientation and fixation functionalities,” Denel said.
Denel Land Systems’ biggest project is Hoefyster, to supply Badger infantry combat vehicles to the South Africa Army. The R1.2 billion first phase is ongoing to December 2022 while the R8.4 billion second phase ins ongoing to March 2029, according to the Denel presentation. Denel is to produce 244 Badgers (16 pre-production and 223 production) in five main variants (section, command, mortar, missile, fire support) and four other variants (ambulance, signals, command post, artillery observation).
Whilst Denel has made progress with subsystems, including the 30 mm CamGun, 60 mm long range mortar and turrets, it has struggled with the technical complexity of the programme, the closure of supplier VR Laser, liquidity issues and an eroded supplier base. This means the programme is years behind schedule.
Denel Land Systems is also supplying three GI2 cannons for Project Biro, to be fitted on the three inshore patrol vessels Damen Shipyards Cape Town is building for the South African Navy.
On the aviation side, Denel Aeronautics is supporting a number of South African Air Force (SAAF) aircraft, including the Oryx helicopter. The latter three-year programme, running until April 2021, is worth R1.2 billion. Similarly, the company is providing support for the Rooivalk helicopter over three years ending April 2021, with a R1 billion value for this programme. C-130 Hercules support is worth R350 million over three years (until April 2021).
Denel Aeronautics is also providing Hawk jet trainer ground support and test equipment under a three year programme until March 2021, worth R18 million, while Denel Dynamics is providing product support for the Seeker 400 unmanned aerial vehicle ongoing to March 2021. The company delivered a number of Seeker 400s to Defence Intelligence.
Other programmes include supporting the South African Navy’s Umkhonto surface-to-air missile system to March 2021, developing a low-cost target drone demonstrator under Project Loki and maintaining test and evaluation capabilities at the Denel Overberg Test Range.
Under Project Kamas, Denel Dynamics is carrying out A-Darter air-to-air missile industrialisation and production for the South African Air Force. Under the Glow II programme, Denel Dynamics is working on an all-weather air defence missile demonstrator.
