The African defense and homeland security is boiling
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Israeli defense companies are facing a growing competition in the African market for defense and homeland security systems.
According to Defense News, projections indicate that African defense spending will surpass US $20 billion over the next decade. This has sparked cut-throat competition between non-African companies looking to snap up supply and joint venture and technology transfer agreements with African firms. Meanwhile, other companies are giving themselves a more competitive edge by setting up shop in the continent.
According to defense market analysts, demand for military hardware in Africa is set to increase as governments gear up to fight terrorists and Islamic militants. Nations say they need better firepower, modernized forces, improved armed mobility and stronger force protection to fight militants that have become the scourge of nations throughout East, West and North Africa.
South African defense equipment manufacturers are benefiting the most from the new interest, having signed wide-ranging arms sales and production deals with Swiss, US, Russian, Brazilian, Malaysian and French companies. US-based Colt Defense recently launched its bid for the Southern African market when it signed an agreement with specialized South African sniper rifle manufacturer Truvelo Armory for the joint manufacture and sale of all Colt firearms to regional police and military forces.
A few days after the signing of the Colt Defense-Truvelo deal, Denel and Swiss company B&T signed a technology transfer agreement paving the way for the South African state-owned company to produce and market small arms ranging from sub-machine-guns to grenade launchers.
According to the agreement, Denel will initially manufacture the weapons using Swiss-made parts while upgrading its production plant to produce the parts locally. Among the weapons set for production is the GL-06 40mm single-shot grenade launcher for the police and military. Denel will also adapt B&T’s MP9 9mm sub-machine gun and reproduce it as the GMP9, a closed-bolt weapon that is standardized for different attachments such as suppressors, shell catchers, red-dot sighters and holsters. A lightweight and modular weapon, the GMP9 can accept 15- to 30-round magazines.
The two companies are also working on upgrading the manufacture kits for Denel’s SS77 7.62mm machine gun, including a redesigned rail, top cover, magazine and belt attachments.
On the aviation side, over the past two months, Denel Aviation signed a repair and service agreement with Eurocopter, a division of Europe-based EADS, covering all AS332 Super Puma, Bo 105, AS350 Ecureuil and Alouette helicopters in Africa.
Turkish armored vehicle manufacturer Otokar is also seeking to expand its presence on the African continent with its Cobra light armored vehicle. The company, which first displayed its armored products at the Africa Aerospace and Defense Exhibition last year, said it is pushing hard to develop new defense equipment supply deals with Africa. Algeria, which has a number of Cobra light armored vehicles, is among the African countries targeted for Otokar’s expansion into Africa.
The Serbian Military Technology Institute last year secured a foothold in the African defense market when it signed a deal to supply Yugo-import Lazar BVT mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles and 18 Nora B-52-155mm artillery systems to the Kenyan Defense Force.
