UK opens up military tenders to SA companies
A Gazelle Helicopter on show at the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) exhibition in Pretoria (Christopher Szabo )
Speaking at the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) exhibition in Pretoria, Sophie Lane of the UK Trade and Investment Defence and Security Organisation, said they wanted to build relationships with the SA military and government and get an understanding of the capabilities required in terms of the new Defence Review.
During the show they were hoping to have meetings with SA industry and government about their requirements and share lessons from the UK’s experiences. She said that the UK had particular strengths in areas like cyber security and biometrics as seen from their recent successful hosting of major sporting events like the Commonwealth Games.
Among the 20 UK companies that are in the country for AAD, are specialists in border security, maritime security and counter-poaching and logistics that are looking to form partnerships with SA companies and also others in the region.
One such company is BLUEBEAR, which specialises in innovative UAV technology that can be used for such operations as anti-poaching, surveillance of exclusive maritime areas, and fishing protection. To build on the partnerships, the UKTI is looking at having a mission into SA, sometime in early in 2015.
Lane said they also wanted to make SA and African companies aware of the opportunity to bid into the UK. The Ministry of Defence posts its requirements online and SA and African companies will now be able to access this and have the same opportunities as UK companies. They would also give feedback so that unsuccessful bidders can reapply at a later time.
UKTI’s Adam Thomas said with a lot of SA companies putting a lot of money into research and development , this is a good time. From the UK’s side, there had been encouragement for the initiative from ministers because they wanted the country to be a partner not just a supplier.
He said that this initiative also technically opens doors to supplying NATO. There could be a situation where supply equipment to the UK could open access to other countries in NATO. That could be the way into the NATO environment for SA companies, via the UK.
At a recent NATO meeting in Wales, member countries were encouraged to increase defence spending in response to growing tensions in countries such as Ukraine and Syria. Although NATO has set a guideline of 2% of GDP for military spending, most of its members spend much less.
Meanwhile, Rosboronexport, Russia’s sole state intermediary agency responsible for defence imports and exports is also interested in strengthening and developing partnerships. Alexander Fomin, director of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Co-operation, said they wanted to focus on military and technical co-operation because of South Africa’s well-developed base.
He said Russia would be prepared to co-operate in the transfer of some technologies. Building on existing joint ventures, he said he would like to see further development and transfer of technology to assemble Russian helicopters in South Africa.
In 2013, Denel Aviation and Russian Helicopters opened the first servicing and repair facility for Russian helicopters on the African continent.
Fomin said they were also looking at other joint ventures, such as the production of light helicopters and missiles. Russia was also looking at increasing military technical co-operation with the SA both on a bilateral basis and within BRICS.
Meanwhile, South African Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa Nqakula, who opened the exhibition on Wednesday said, it was fitting that they dedicated the 8th edition of AAD to Nelson Mandela. The global icon passed away in December 2013. She called for a moment’s silence to remember the 67 South Africans who died in Nigeria when a church collapsed last week.
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