South Africa's military has new leaders
A change in the top echelons of South Africa's military has just been formalised in the space of one week, reports Sam Basch
Defence
in Defence Havelsan partakes in Shield Africa event
Posted 16 June 2021
Turkey’s Havelsan participated in the Shield Africa event, which was held on 8-11 June in the Ivory Coast to showcase its Land, Naval and Air solutions for the defence and security of the African continent.
in Defence African design advances to prototype for US military
Posted 14 June 2021
South African defence company Paramount's US subsidiary, along with technology company Leidos and Verdex have been selected to enter the final phase of the U.S. Special Operations Command’s (USSOCOM) Armed Overwatch aircraft
in Defence / Features Locust fighting force plagued by lack of cash
Posted 14 May 2021
A huge crisis is looming in east Africa as vital funding for the aircraft operations tackling huge swarms of locusts is drying up. Oscar Nkala reports.
in Defence Egypt orders 30 extra Rafale fighters.
Posted 4 May 2021
Egypt has placed an order for 30 additional Rafale fighter jets for its air force.
in Defence Angolan defence budget increase set to benefit Russian and Chinese firms
Posted 26 April 2021
Angola’s defence and security expenditure is expected to be valued at $8.5bn cumulatively over the 2022 to 2026 period according to GlobalData.
in Defence / Maintenance Egypt signs up for C295 support
Posted 15 April 2021
The Egyptian Air Force - the largest C295 fleet operator worldwide with 24 aircraft - has signed a five-year services contract with Airbus for the performance-based support of its fleet.
in Defence Fatigue test confirms longer lifespan of the Next Generation L-39
Posted 25 March 2021
Another phase of the fatigue test of the new L-39NG jet aircraft from the Czech manufacturer Aero Vodochody was successfully completed at the Czech Aerospace Research Centre in Prague.
in Defence / Features France offers light relief to combat terror
Posted 24 March 2021
The French Government is to assist west African nations in the fight against Jihadist insurgents and terrorists by supplying more Tétras CS and CSM light intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft, writes Jon Lake.
in Defence / Features Senegal set for first CN23MPA
Posted 19 March 2021
Senegal’s first CN235 maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) has been ceremonially rolled out.
in Defence / Features Herculean task for Marshall in Cameroon
Posted 10 March 2021
The five-year contract for the UK’s Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group to maintain the Cameroon Air Force’s Lockheed Martin C-130H tactical transport aircraft has now been ratified.
in Defence / Features Drones over the desert
Posted 2 March 2021
Unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) are becoming a key enabler for African military and security forces in combatting terrorism and armed militancy. The expansion in UAV fleets across the continent has not escaped the Sahel, where the Niger National Guard (GNN) is growing its
in Defence Seven die in Nigerian Air Force plane crash
Posted 22 February 2021
A Nigerian military plane crashed on Sunday morning killing seven people. The aircraft is understood to have crashed short of the runway in Abuja after reporting engine failure.
in Defence Egypt to get RAM Block 2 variant missiles
Posted 19 February 2021
Egypt will buy over 100 units of Block 2 variant of the Raytheon-built Rolling Airframe Missiles (RAM) guided missile weapon system from the United States. The U.S. State Department has made a determination approving the possible foreign
in Defence / Features Albatross Czechs in… eventually
Posted 19 February 2021
Prague-based Aero Vodochody recently received three Nigerian Air Force (NAF) L-39ZAs for overhaul and upgrade. Normally, this would have been straightforward but, as Alan Warnes explains, nothing is simple when Covid-19 is involved.
in Defence Boeing to deliver AH-64E Apache Helicopters to three allied countries
Posted 26 January 2021
Boeing and the U.S. Army have finalised orders from three nations to provide their armed forces with the new, more capable AH-64E Apache model.
in Defence / Training Paramount launches Advanced Training and Support division
Posted 21 January 2021
Paramount Group has announced the establishment of a new division that will provide advanced training solutions for modern day ‘concept of operations’ and battlefield management to governments experiencing rising security
in Defence Four die in Kenyan transporter crash
Posted 13 January 2021
A Harbin Y-12-II transporter from the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) crashed in the Tsavo East national game reserve in the east of the country yesterday. All four on board – two passengers and two crew – died in the accident.
in Air Transport / Defence Aircraft in Somalia's Bay area under attack from Al Shahbab
Posted 3 January 2021
Al-Shahbab militants have stepped up anti-aircraft attacks in the Bay area of Somalia close to the Ethiopian and Kenyan borders. The latest attack on a transport aircraft on approach to Diinsoor Airport was reported
in Defence Egypt’s AirForce One to get missile protection
Posted 31 December 2020
Egypt will buy one AN/AAQ-24(V)N Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) system from the United States to protect its Airbus 340-200 Head-of-State aircraft.
in Defence SNA turns anti-aircraft fire onto Kenyan fighters
Posted 23 December 2020
Media outlets in Somalia have reported that the Somali National Army (SNA) had engaged a Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) fighter jet with anti-aircraft fire along the Mandera-Gedo border region separating the two countries.
in Defence / Features When the pilot is just one option
Posted 3 December 2020
Efforts to allow unmanned aircraft to fly safely in unsegregated airspace have taken a step forward with the aid of South African company S-Plane Automation.
in Defence Republic of Mali orders an additional Airbus C295
Posted 2 December 2020
The Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Mali has placed a firm order for an additional Airbus C295 airlifter in the transport configuration.
in Defence Algeria to get 14 Su-57 fighters from Russia
Posted 24 November 2020
Algeria has reportedly signed a contract to purchase 14 Russian Su-57 fighters, becoming the first customer of the fifth-generation stealth jets outside Russia. Jay Menon reports.
in Defence / Features AHRLAC back to business
Posted 24 November 2020
Production of Paramount Aerospace Industries’ ground-breaking AHRLAC is about to be ramped up as the company prepares to emerge from the final stages of South Africa’s business rescue process.
in Defence / Features Fighting fit - air arms continue to power up
Posted 19 November 2020
A number of African air forces are making significant improvements to their fighter and other capabilities.
in Defence African airline to benefit with new security detector system
Posted 17 November 2020
MS Tech, a developer and manufacturer of nanotechnology, IoT and big-data sensors has announced that MS Detection, its homeland security and defence division, completed another installation of its DUOSCAN detectors with
in Defence / Training Paramount pioneers robotics and engineering learning for SAAF youth development
Posted 4 November 2020
Paramount Labs, the research and innovation division of the Africa-based global aerospace and technology company, Paramount Group, in partnership with the South African Air Force (SAAF), today
in Defence Algerian Air Force receives the first batch of MiG-29M/MiG-29M2
Posted 2 November 2020
The Algerian Air Force has received the first batch of MiG-29M/MiG-29M2 fighter aircraft from Russia, reports menadefense.net.
in Defence Paramount to expand its support for ATAC
Posted 29 October 2020
Paramount Aerospace Systems USA (PAS USA) - a subsidiary of Africa based Paramount Group - will expand its maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services and training support for the Mirage F1 fighter fleet operated by the Airborne Tactical
in Defence / Features Virus adds new twist to Denel survival fight
Posted 20 August 2020
South Africa’s Denel is in the midst of a transformation programme to restructure itself into a profitable company after years of shrinking defence budgets and alleged corruption – and the coronavirus pandemic certainly hasn’t helped.
in Defence Denel appoints Talib Sadik as interim Group Chief Executive
Posted 19 August 2020
The Board of Denel has appointed Mr Talib Sadik as Denel's interim Group Chief Executive.
in Defence Future of AHRLAC secured
Posted 19 August 2020
Paramount Aerospace Industries Proprietary Limited (Paramount Aerospace Industries), part of the Paramount Aerospace and Technology Group, announced today that the Business Rescue Plans of the Aerospace Development Corporation Proprietary Limited (ADC),
in Defence / Features Tons of problems for the SAAF
Posted 5 August 2020
The South African Air Force has (quietly) celebrated its centenary against backdrop of worries that it is in “dire straits”.
in Defence / Business Aviation / Business & Finance Dassault Aviation keeps faith with its innovative strategy
Posted 24 July 2020
"Our strategy remains unchanged" - despite the effects of the crisis - "which are likely to be long-lasting as numerous economic sectors are impacted", announced Dassault Aviation CEO, Eric Trappier
in Defence Phantom wing finally re-equipped with F-16s
Posted 24 July 2020
Egyptian and US military officers gathered at the formal re-opening of the fighter brigade at Cairo West Airport, which now operates the Block 52 F-16C/D.
in Defence Morocco confirms order for 24 Apache helicopters
Posted 26 June 2020
Morocco has confirmed an order for 24 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters making the North African country the 17th nation to operate the type. The deal is valued at $4.25 billion.
in Defence / Features Massive boost for Moroccan armed forces
Posted 12 June 2020
The Moroccan Government is expected to procure transport aircraft, helicopters, multirole fighters, submarines, missile defence systems, frigates, and armoured vehicles, as the country’s 2020 finance bill increases the kingdom’s national
in Defence / Features Tunisian National Guard forms air unit
Posted 5 June 2020
The Tunisian National Guard has formed an air unit equipped with three Bell 429 GlobalRanger helicopters, and this has now been declared operational, writes Jon Lake.
in Defence / Training Senegal Air Force takes its first new KAI trainer
Posted 3 June 2020
The Senegal Air Force has taken delivery of its first two KAI KT-1 turboprop trainers, giving the Korean manufacturer its first African customer.
in Defence / Features Victims of the battle for Tripoli
Posted 2 June 2020
The no-fly zone over Libya has already claimed victims, writes Jon Lake.
in Defence / Features Tactical Texans fit Tunisia to a T
Posted 21 May 2020
The announcement by US State Department that it has approved a possible $234 million foreign military sale (FMS) of 12 Textron Aviation Beechcraft T-6C Texan II trainers to Tunisia will undoubtedly lead to an improved relationship between the two
in Air Transport / Defence / Business & Finance Rolls-Royce announces up to 9000 job losses
Posted 20 May 2020
Rolls-Royce announced this morning that it will lose up to 9,000 jobs as it addresses the change in demand following the collapse of the aviation industry due to Covid-19
in Defence Lockheed Martin accelerate more payments to supply chain
Posted 20 May 2020
Lockheed Martin will again accelerate payments of US$300m to small critical suppliers. Nicolas Jouan, Aerospace and Defence Analyst at GlobalData offers his view on Lockheed’s decision.
in Defence Leonardo’s new jet trainer certified and ready for the global market
Posted 13 May 2020
The latest military trainer designed with African air forces as a target has been certificated by Italy's (Directorate for Air Armaments and Airworthiness), the Italian Ministry of Defence’s Certification
in Defence / Features Nigeria's fleet path to fight terror
Posted 12 May 2020
Nigerian Air Force commander, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, talks to Alan Warnes about modernising the force’s capabilities while, simultaneously, fighting Boko Haram terrorists.
in Defence / Features Togo modernises in slow motion
Posted 5 May 2020
The rapid degradation of the security panorama in neighbouring Burkina Faso has served as a catalyst for a limited aircraft procurement effort by Togo. But, as Erwan de Cherisey reports, air force modernisation can be a slow, and often uphill, journey.
in Defence Chad missile accident causes five deaths
Posted 20 April 2020
A missile accidently fired from a Chadian military jet as it was preparing for takeoff hit a house near the base, killing at least five civilians.
in Defence Airbus achieves world’s first fully automatic refuelling contacts
Posted 20 April 2020
Airbus has achieved the first ever fully automatic air-to-air refuelling (A3R) operation with a boom system.
in Defence First Nigerian Air Force A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft completes inaugural flight
Posted 18 April 2020
Embraer Defence & Security and Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) has announced the first of 12 A-29 Super Tucano light attack, combat and reconnaissance aircraft for the Nigerian Air
in Defence / Space Horizon Technologies secures new FlyingFish orders
Posted 1 April 2020
Horizon Technologies has secured a £500+K order for an undisclosed quantity of FlyingFish SIGINT systems from a Sub-Saharan African country.
in Defence / Features Adaptable A-Darter homes in on its first production orders
Posted 13 March 2020
A type certificate has been granted for the South African/Brazilian Denel V3E A-Darter infrared homing short-range air-to-air missile (SRAAM), marking the conclusion of the missile’s development, qualification and
in Defence / Features Grob lands African ‘first’ with delivery to Ethiopia
Posted 11 March 2020
Late last year, H3 Grob Aircraft completed the delivery of a first batch of Grob G 120TPs to the Ethiopian Air Force. As African Aerospace was going to press, a second batch was expected to be delivered to fulfil the EAF’s requirement for
in Defence / General Aviation Denel at advanced stage of exiting aerostructures business
Posted 9 March 2020
As part of its efforts to restructure its business, exit from non-core entities and find new markets for its defence and high-tech products and services, Denel is currently at an advanced stage to exit and wind up its
in Defence / Features Icarus-X Caravan set to take off in east Africa
Posted 9 March 2020
Belgium’s H3 Defence Solutions was showing off its Cessna 208 Caravan demonstrator – dubbed Icarus-X – at the Dubai Airshow in mid-November. Alan Warnes explains why the aircraft is very much a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
in Defence / Features Spartans boost Zambia and Kenya
Posted 3 March 2020
The Leonardo C-27J Spartan is about to enter full operational service with two new African air force operators. Jon Lake reports.
in Defence / Features $1.8bn Russian fighter deal for Algeria
Posted 24 February 2020
A $1.8 billion order for 30 Russian aircraft will take Algeria’s fighter fleet numbers up to 74 – sufficient for six squadrons. Jon Lake reports.
in Defence USAF C-130 supports Flintlock 2020
Posted 20 February 2020
A United States Air Force (USAF) C-130J Super Hercules aircraft and Airmen assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron, 86th Airlift Wing, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, deployed to Senegal and Mauritania to support and participate in Flintlock 2020, the annual
in Defence / General Aviation Beechcraft King Air 350ERs begin maritime patrol duties
Posted 19 February 2020
Leonardo has revealed that two Beechcraft King Air 350ERs, equipped as Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA), have gone into service with an African Navy following their delivery by the Company, which acted as prime contractor and
in Defence Denel on the front foot after Fitch rating
Posted 12 February 2020
Denel’s efforts to restructure its business and implement a comprehensive turnaround plan, have been given a boost following the recent decision by Fitch Ratings in London to affirm its long-term rating and to assign it “stable outlook” status.
in Defence Airbus C295 successfully performs wet contacts as a tanker
Posted 29 January 2020
The Airbus C295 tactical airlifter has successfully achieved its first wet contacts during an air-to-air (AAR) tanker flight test campaign.
in Defence Developing 3D printing capability for the defence and aerospace sector
Posted 17 January 2020
BAE Systems and Renishaw have signed an agreement to work together on the development of additive manufacturing capability for the defence and aerospace sector, designed to help improve performance, reduce
in Defence Paramount Group supports Draken’s Mirage F1 upgrades
Posted 16 January 2020
Paramount Aerospace Systems (a Paramount Group subsidiary) has provided upgrade and engineering support for Draken International’s regenerated Mirage F1s.
in Defence Burkina Faso reinforces its military transport capabilities
Posted 16 December 2019
The Ministry of Defence of Burkina Faso has placed a firm order for one Airbus C295 military airlifter.
in Defence Leading companies in Internet of military things, revealed by GlobalData
Posted 27 November 2019
The global internet of military things (IoMT) market is forecast to grow to $317.8bn by 2023, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.
in Defence Kenya Air Force selects AbuDhabi's GAL
Posted 21 November 2019
Kenya's Ministry of Defence has selected Global Aerospace Logistics (GAL) – part of the new Abu Dhabi-based Edge Group to provide maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services to the Kenya Air Force.
in Defence / Features Combat pilot Mfeka is a SAAF history-maker
Posted 21 November 2019
The South African Air Force (SAAF) now has its first black female combat pilot, writes Jon Lake.
in Defence / Features Aircraft boost for Madagascar
Posted 13 November 2019
The Madagascar Air Force received a boost in June with the arrival of a batch of new aircraft to bolster its small inventory. Erwan de Cherisey report.
in Defence / Features NAF breaths new life into Albatros
Posted 5 November 2019
Nigeria’s continuing counter-insurgency campaign against Boko Haram is the driving force behind a further small increase in the capabilities of its air force. Alan Dron reports.
in Defence Congolese Air Force cargo plane crashes
Posted 14 October 2019
An Antonov An-72 transport plane operating for the Air Force of the Democratic Republic of the Congo crashed near Punia last week.
in Defence French make first airdrops with A400M in African mission
Posted 1 October 2019
The French Armed Forces General Staff has announced that two test airdrops have been successfully carried out by one of the French forces’ 15 A400M under the supervision of the Centre d’expertise aérienne militaire
in Defence Paramount Group’s Mbombe 4x4 meets NATO STANAG 4569
Posted 18 September 2019
Paramount Group has announced that the Mbombe 4x4, the newest addition to its advanced Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) family of vehicles, has received final certification for the independently verified blast tests which exceeded
in Defence / Features Galaxy still out of this world
Posted 28 August 2019
The US Air Force’s Lockheed C-5 Galaxy remains a stalwart of airlift operations to and from Africa, supporting deployments and delivering humanitarian assistance.
in Defence / Features AS365N Dauphins for Djibouti
Posted 19 August 2019
As part of an ongoing expansion programme, Djibouti’s small air arm, the Force Aérienne du Djibouti (FAdD, Djibouti Air Force), has taken delivery of four newly refurbished AS365N Dauphins.
in Defence / Features Twin giants square up for Herculean task
Posted 8 August 2019
With most African countries ignoring the more expensive C-130J Hercules, both the Leonardo C-27J and Airbus C295 are now battling it out for tactical airlift supremacy in Africa. Alan Warnes looks at the state of play and the status of the North
in Defence / Features Man with a mission to modernise
Posted 26 July 2019
When Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar was appointed as the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) chief of air staff in July 2015, only 50% of his aircraft were serviceable. In one of his first speeches, he said he wanted “effective and efficient capacity building” and training
in Defence Paramount forges top level ties with Saudi
Posted 5 July 2019
Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) and South Africa’s Paramount Group, have signed a high-level defence collaboration agreement, in step with Saudi Arabia’s vision for the creation of an integrated defence industrial ecosystem.
in Defence Nigerian Air Force starts intensive K-9 unit training with Paramount Group
Posted 27 June 2019
Military personnel from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) this week commence intensive training in South Africa to qualify as highly specialised Canine Unit (K-9 Unit) operatives.
in Defence / Features Why are the Cobras not striking?
Posted 20 June 2019
Issues are arising surrounding the Kenya Air Force (KAF) Bell AH-1F Cobra attack helicopters, writes Jon Lake.
in Defence / Features Equatorial Guinea continues air force expansion
Posted 18 June 2019
The air force branch of the Equatorial Guinea Guardia Nacional (National Guard) has continued its expansion, writes Jon Lake.
in Defence / Features Cameroon gears up for counter-insurgency campaign.
Posted 14 June 2019
The Armée de l’Air du Cameroun (Cameroon Air Force) is undergoing a major re-equipment programme, although the US halted assistance in February 2019 amid reports of gross violations of human rights by Cameroon’s security
in Defence / Features Tunisia completes Black Hawk purchase from US
Posted 11 June 2019
The US Army’s Security Assistance Command (USASAC) has completed the delivery of a $338 million foreign military sales (FMS) package of eight Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters and associated training and support to Tunisia, writes Jon
in Defence / Features Dogged determination to counter terrorism
Posted 4 June 2019
African air force commanders met with US Air Force and State Department leaders at the eighth annual Air Forces Africa (AFAFRICA) symposium in Morocco. Jon Lake reports.
in Defence / Features Egypt gets extra bite with the ‘Nile Crocodile’
Posted 29 May 2019
The Kamov Ka-52 ‘Nile Crocodile’ helicopter has officially entered service with the Egyptian Air Force. Jon Lake reports.
in Defence / Features MiG game in Africa
Posted 17 May 2019
The Russian Aircraft Corporation (RAC) MiG company is hoping that new variants will repeat the success of the original MiG-29 in Africa. Jon Lake reports.
in Defence / Features Ghana’s air force in a class of its own
Posted 8 May 2019
The Ghana Armed Forces have a small but capable air force. The key to its success is training, as Patrick Dirksen and Frank Mink found out during a recent visit.
in Defence / Features Mauritania goes for second Basler
Posted 15 March 2019
It looks like Mauritania is about to receive a second Basler turbo-Dak intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft, writes Jon Lake.
in Defence / Features Rwanda closes in on medevac Caravan
Posted 6 March 2019
A US Air Force (USAF) notification, issued on September 20, revealed that Rwanda is to receive two new aircraft to be used for medical evacuation and light transport missions during international peacekeeping operations throughout Africa.
in Defence / Features Tanzania takes delivery of new helicopters
Posted 28 February 2019
Tanzania is understood to have taken delivery of four Airbus Helicopters Cougar and Super Cougar transport helicopters, writes Jon Lake.
in Air Transport / Defence / Business Aviation / General Aviation / Technology / Events Airbus showcases full spectrum of product and services at Aviation Africa
Posted 26 February 2019
From commercial aircraft and helicopters to unmanned aerial systems and satellite imaging, Airbus is showcasing the full spectrum of its business, products and services in Africa at this year’s Aviation
in Defence Airbus certifies A400M Cargo Hold Tanks refuelling unit
Posted 21 February 2019
Airbus has successfully completed the certification flight tests for the A400M Cargo Hold Tanks (CHT) refuelling unit, taking a new step towards the full certification of the aircraft for air-to-air refuelling operations as a
in Defence / Features Kenya takes ex-Emirati Fennecs for anti-insurgency ops
Posted 21 February 2019
The Kenya Air Force (KAF) has taken delivery of nine Eurocopter AS550 Fennec light helicopters from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), writes Jon Lake.
in Defence / Features Russian sales rush is on
Posted 12 February 2019
African countries have traditionally provided a good market for Russian Helicopters, with more than 700 in active service across the continent. Now, as Jon Lake reports, the push is on to sell more.
in Defence Embraer and SNC to deliver 12 A-29s to Nigerian Air Force
Posted 6 February 2019
Embraer Defense & Security and its partner Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) were awarded a contract to deliver 12 A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft to the Nigerian Air Force.
in Defence / Features Cameroon's eyes in the sky focus on Boko Haram
Posted 4 February 2019
Since May 2014, Cameroon has been battling the terrorist organisation known colloquially as Boko Haram. Erwan de Cherisey takes a look at the country’s capabilities.
in Defence Cambridge Pixel provides IFF radar processors to Tellumat for SAAF SSR upgrade
Posted 22 January 2019
Cambridge Pixel, a developer of radar display, tracking and recording sub-systems, is supplying its IFF (identification friend or foe) secondary radar processing and plot extraction technology to
in Defence Ivory Coast joins the family of Airbus C295 operators
Posted 22 January 2019
The Ministry of Defence of Ivory Coast has signed a firm order for one C295 medium transport aircraft.
in Defence / Features Hawk helicopters pave the way for troops' rescue
Posted 5 December 2018
Jon Lake reports on a vital helicopter rescue mission near the Somali border with Kenya.
in Defence New C-27 Spartan baseline configuration performs first flight
Posted 4 December 2018
The new C-27J Spartan baseline configuration— characterised by a brand new avionics system, new cockpit control panels and LED aircraft lights—completed its first flight yesterday at Leonardo’s Aircraft Division Turin
in Defence / Features Africa's arms race
Posted 30 November 2018
Many believe that Africa will be the big growth market for the global defence industry, thanks to burgeoning security requirements and vast oil and natural gas reserves. Jon Lake takes a look at the situation.
