The South African defence industry (SADI) does not have a repository of company information that provides access and links to product solutions that are developed locally for the international market.
I was fortunate to be involved in two conference-type engagements in the last two weeks. In both engagements the international entities taking part did not really know what is on offer from the SADI. Take-aways from the engagements were: 1.) SADI only really makes prototypes and has not leveraged production efficiency, and 2.) international company Keysight, with its local partner, Concilium Technologies, sees the South Africa aerospace and defence sector as a such significant role player in design and development that they sent six people to South Africa for a week to promote their test and measurement product offerings.
Some may see the first statement as negative, but when combined with the second statement, it is a positive. It confirms that the South African aerospace and defence industry has retained the design and development capability that was build up from the 1960s to the 2000s. This is significant. The SADI has retained the design and development capability in the C5ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance), Aviation, Land, Maritime and Space sectors. It would take around 20 years to regain these capabilities if they were to be lost. The positive element is that these capabilities are largely sitting within the private sector. They have a good chance of being maintained as the entrepreneurial spirit of SADI entities is seeking out, and unlocking, market opportunity. The SADI has pivoted to being a majority export focused sector.
The negative part of the statement – that SADI only builds prototypes – remains worrying. The often-referenced increase of South African defence spending up to 1.5% of GDP (from .8% at present) would help with this situation.
The challenge that the SADI has is that there is no easy reference source to see which companies are offering design and development solutions. AMD has the SA Defence Industry Directory that captures details on under 20 companies that are AMD members. Creative Space Media also produce a coffee table book that documents the total industry, but is difficult to extract company names and experience. There is currently no suitable reference material that could be provided to outgoing and incoming Defence Attachés, representatives of trade missions, presidential visits to promote industry capabilities or the delegations that attend local trade shows.
Enter the South African Aerospace Maritime and Defence Export Council (SAAMDEC) that was established jointly by the Department of Trade and Industry and Aerospace, Maritime and Defence Industries Association (AMD) of South Africa, for the express purpose of facilitating exports for the Defence and Related Industries Sector. SAAMDEC is the entity mandated to promote and champion the collective interests of the sector by exploring new markets for the South African Defence Industry.
The solution is to release a publication, INNOVATE: Aerospace & Defence SA Edition, on a two-yearly cycle with the assistance of SAAMDEC that highlights the top 100 latest SADI projects. The goal is to establish a unified, credible front for showcasing South Africa’s latest mission-ready technology to the global market and showcase projects in the CALMS domains: C4ISR & Cyber (C5), Aviation, Land Systems, Maritime, and Space. The first edition is scheduled to be ready in time for the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) exhibition in September.
The concept is a new model for storytelling in the defence industry sector. It is based the book series, Winning the Away Game, that showcase the remarkable journeys of South African businessmen and women across multiple industries who have excelled in business, entrepreneurship, and innovation around the world.
The latest projects will be presented with an operational focus. This is not a catalogue approach. SME and major primes pitch new project technology capability through projects, systems and innovations that matter.
The output will be a premium print Hardcover book. This is for distribution to the Defence Attachés and visiting international delegations. There will also be an E-book and online platform version of the book for easy access.
Projects will be presented in a standardised format. Each participant will receive a two-page spread. The left page will present a hero image and a concise Project Mission Brief. The right page will deliver the intelligence layer with innovation story, technical impact and a Company Data Block with contacts and an AR video gateway. Projects are not limited to single entities. Multiple role players are welcomed to expand the consolidated index of SADI companies.
While the key focus is on new projects, the publication will start with a section that outlines the national defence industry strategy. This section defines South Africa’s industrial capability, competitiveness and export ambition. There are also slots reserved for the overarching voices shaping the country’s strategic direction. This section is aimed at Government entities (The Department of Trade, Industry & Competition, Gauteng Economic Development, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Armscor, Denel), Industry associations (SAAMDEC/AMD, Commercial Aerospace Manufacturing Association of South Africa, South African Association of Ship Builders & Repairers, Women in Defence South Africa) and National captains of industry and their companies (e.g. AMD Class A & B members, CAMASA Leaders and Major Ship repair entities).
The output is INNOVATE: Aerospace & Defence SA Edition, showcasing a balanced and credible representation of South Africa’s sovereign capability across established leaders and emerging contributors.
Secure your position in the definitive record of South African defence innovation. Contact engage@InnovateAerospaceAndDefence.com and either Jason Bronkhorst, Magda Cloete or James Kerr will get back to you.
Written by James Kerr, Orion Consulting CC, which provides Market Entry Strategy and Bid & Proposal services to the Aerospace & Defence related industry and assists international SME mission system product suppliers to gain traction in South Africa.
