Aerospace and defence company Milkor is calling for this week’s conference on public-private partnerships (PPPs) for defence and security to produce active proposals and collaborative efforts to build a strong defence industry in South Africa.
Milkor’s Marketing and Communications Director, Daniel du Plessis, told defenceWeb he was looking forward to attending the conference on Friday 7 March at the CSIR ICC in Pretoria, as discussions around public-private partnerships need to take place. “These types of conversations are necessary; they should be had. And they definitely stimulate some new opportunities that might be on the horizon.”
“Utilising the strength and the skills that are still residing in the private industries along with the mandates of the public enterprises have, could be a very good combination. I think that those types of partnerships should be explored and it is something we feel strongly about, hence we sponsored this event,” he said. Milkor is the Platinum Sponsor for the 2025 conference.
Du Plessis also expressed his desire for the PPP 2025 conference to lead to practical action, stating: “conversations without actions do not really lead to any transformations and to any difference in the world. So, my request is that let’s have this conversation, let’s listen to all the key speakers and have these different panel discussions on this day. But let it not end there. Let it be turned into active proposals and collaborative efforts that help build a strong defence industry within the country.”
“It is no longer a thing of public versus private I think that…passed long ago. It is now essentially a joint effort to develop a strong defence industry within the country,” du Plessis said. He added that a joint effort is vital for the whole continent’s stability, including peacekeeping operations.
Conference attendees have the opportunity to hear more directly from Milkor as its representatives are set to address the conference. Milkor is also hosting an exhibition showcasing its state-of-the-art defence platforms and solutions. Attendees can expect to learn more of some of Milkor’s latest innovations in unmanned aerial systems (UAS), armoured vehicles, and advanced naval technology.
Milkor offers a range of 40 mm grenade launcher solutions, and is manufacturing the largest unmanned aerial vehicle in Africa – the Milkor 380. At the recent IDEX/NAVDEX exhibition in the UAE, it unveiled its new 30 metre interceptor vessel, which features a large helipad for helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles. The vessel is entering production in the United Arab Emirates – Milkor has Middle East offices in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The 30 metre vessel joins Milkor’s new 16 metre Commander high-speed patrol craft, and its existing Inshore Patrol Craft.
Milkor has been expanding its land systems as well, and last year launched three new vehicles: the Frontier and Vanguard mine-resistant, ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicles and Frontier lightweight infantry mobility vehicle.
Milkor’s role as a platinum sponsor at the Public-Private Partnerships for Defence & Security conference highlights its leadership in driving partnerships. With its innovative solutions and forward-thinking vision, Milkor is poised to make a significant impact at the event, setting the stage for long-term collaborations that enhance South Africa’s security in an increasingly turbulent era, the company said.
Milkor representatives are joining other high-level participants today, including the Deputy Minister of Defence and Military veterans, Bantu Holomisa; Chief of the SANDF, General Rudzani Maphwanya; Dr Mthobisi Clyde Zondi, CEO of SanDock Austral Defence and Former Chief of Procurement, Department of Defence & Military Veterans; and Dr Moses Khanyile, Director: Centre for Military Studies (CEMIS), Faculty of Military Science, University of Stellenbosch, among others.
