South African Army - Plans - Future Programmes

Future Programmes

Source

• Project Acrobat: Acquisition of long-range 60mm mortar system. 102 systems ordered mid-2006 for R101 million as part of Project Acrobat, delivery expected from 2009 to 2010

• Project Aorta: A scheme for a new main battle tank. The South African Armoured Corps operated up to a 168 Olifant Mk1B and Mk2 MBT, modified Centurion cruiser tanks. The Centurion tank in its early versions first saw action in Germany in the closing weeks of the Second World War (three were rushed to Northern Germany but failed to arrive in time to see action). Between 90 and 110 MBT were to have formed part of the government's ongoing Strategic Defence Package but fell by the wayside for a variety of reasons.

• Project Billet: Acquisition of a new generation semi-static communications infrastructure for operation by 2 Signal Regiment.

• Project Bioskoop: Development of local warning radar system and battery command post for air defence. Four Thutlhwa (Kameelperd, Giraffe) ordered 1996 and delivered 2006. Requirement stands for a troop command post.

• Project Blesbok: Partial acquisition of new-generation water purification and provisioning system using a shortened acquisition process. Foreseen date for production: 2008.

• Project Chamber: Acquisition of a new generation tactical electronic capability for 5 Signal Regiment. R110 million budgeted.

• Project Citizen: Partial acquisition of a new-generation maintenance, repair and recovery system. Foreseen commissioning 2013.

• Project Cytoon: Development and partial acquisition of a battlefield surveillance and mobile intelligence processing system consisting of a battlefield surveillance radar, thermal imager and UAV. Foreseen commissioning: 2009.

• Project Guardian (GBADS 1): Local warning segment of the Ground-Based Air Defence System (GBADS). Two Thales PAGE warning radars, eight Lightweight Multiple Launchers for the Starstreak very short-range air defence missile

• Project Hoefyster: Partial acquisition of a new generation infantry fighting vehicle. 264 Patria Advanced Modular Vehicles on order at a cost of R8.4 billion. Denel Land Systems awarded contract. Deliveries from 2010.

• Project Isibali: New generation (insensitive) explosives.

• Project Kingfisher: Upgrade of 30 Milan launchers to Milan ADT-ER status and acquisition of 300 missiles for R167.4 million. Delivery underway. Up to 100 more launchers can be upgraded.

• Project Legend: Acquisition of the first phase of a tactical command, control, communications and information computer (C4I) system for the brigade-and-below. A R30m+ contract awarded to Saab Systems SA in 2008.

• Project Musuku: Development and partial acquisition of an advanced multi-role light artillery gun capability in the form of the 105 mm "Light Experimental Ordnance". Foreseen commissioning: 2012.

• Project Outcome (GBADS III): Planned acquisition of the Umkhonto all weather surface-to-air-missile (AWSAM). No dates as yet.

• Project Pantile: Acquisition of engineer earthmoving/construction equipment. Foreseen commissioning: 2009

• Project Pirate: Partial acquisition of a new generation hand-held mine detector. Foreseen commissioning: 2008.

• Project Prickley (sic) Pear: Acquisition of a data base geographical information system for the SANDF.

• Project Protector (GBADS II): Development and partial acquisition of a mobile ground-based air defence system. Possible R3bn budget for land-based Umkhonto IR missile. Foreseen commissioning: 2010.

• Project Radiate:A new generation tactical communications system for operation by 1 Signal Regiment.

• Project Sepula: A new generation armoured personnel carrier for the SA Army to replace the 220 Mamba and 170 Casspir that remain in service. The thinking is the Sepula vehicle should have a high level of commonality with the Vistula choice and at least share the drive train to form a "family" of vehicles. Assuming about 90 vehicles a motorised infantry battalion and multiplying that with the number of regular units as well as "some" Reserve Force regiments, about 1000 will be required at a cost of about R3 to R4 million each.

• Project Swatch: Development and partial acquisition of mobile camping system. No funds available at May 2007.

• Project Teamster: Development and partial acquisition of mass field feeding system (field kitchen). Foreseen commissioning: 2008.

• Project Tladi: "Zone 1" anti-tank. New generation portable infantry A/T rocket launcher to replace RPG7 and FT5.

• Project Topstar: Partial acquisition of new-generation gyroscopic systems for the artillery. Foreseen commencement of commissioning: 2008. Not SCAMP funded.

• Project Utolo: Partial acquisition of minefield breaching system to replace Plofadder. In study phase 2005-7.

• Project Vistula: A drive to acquire up to 3000 new tactical 5t and 10t trucks for the SA Army and its sister Services. To replace the SAMIL series.

• Project Vundulula: Partial acquisition of field fire fighting system. Project not funded beyond study phase (in 2005).

• Project Warrior: Dismounted soldier system. Acquisition study for low risk items completed 2006. Development plan for complex sub-systems underway.

• Project Wyandotte: Study of deeper level logistics: Transport by truck, train and ship. Project not funded beyond study phase.

• Not registered as a project by September 2008: Acquisition of a new light armour system for the Armoured Corps to replace the Eland-series armoured car. Required Operational Capability Study completed.