Both government and the defence industry have welcomed
the direct and indirect jobs as well as the enterprise opportunities
that will be created as a result of the production contract for the
full scale manufacturing of the Badger New Generation Infantry Combat
System. In addition to job and enterprise creation, the contract will
also lead to an increase in skills development and retention in the
industry.
The new Badger infantry combat vehicle, proudly displayed at the Department
of Defence and Military Veterans’ Industry Day event at the CSIR
in Pretoria today provides the SANDF with unrivalled firepower, mobility
and maximum armoured protection to the soldiers it transports.
“The production order for the Badger vehicle represents a significant
chapter in the history of the SANDF in that it provides a much needed
capability for troops involved in critical peace keeping operations
in other African countries,” says Dr Sam Gulube, the Secretary
for Defence.
The 8 x 8 Badger is a best-of-breed vehicle in its class and will contribute
to the modernisation of the SANDF. In the future, it will eventually
replace the SANDF’s existing fleet of armour protected combat
vehicles like the Ratel. The recent involvement of South African troops
in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has again emphasised the need
for protective mobility on the battlefield which the Badger now provides.
“This is the most significant defence contract signed with a South
African company in at least the last 10 years, and demonstrates Government’s
and the SANDF’s confidence in the ability of the local industry
to provide frontline equipment,” says Denel SOC Group Chief Executive,
Riaz Saloojee.
The Badger project provides Denel with an opportunity to address most
of government’s industrial objectives with regards to high-end
manufacturing, skills development, job creation and foreign-currency
earnings.
Job opportunities within South Africa’s defence will either be
created or retained primarily in the development and manufacturing phases,
covering the spectrum from graduate engineers, system designers and
technical staff to skilled and semi-skilled workers. In addition, the
contract will have positive spin-offs for small- and medium enterprises
acting as subcontractors and suppliers for the project and bring benefits
to the entire local defence industry.
The acting CEO of Armscor, Mr Sipho Mkwanazi, says the “the production
of Badger will have significant benefits for the SANDF and for the local
defence industry including the further development of the advanced manufacturing
sector. We have set stringent conditions for ensuring local content
and supplier development. The production of the Badger is expected to
create about 2 000 jobs during its production period”.
Armscor concluded a contract with Denel in 2007 for the development
of a new generation infantry combat vehicle. The initial development
of the vehicle platform was done by the Finnish contractor, Patria,
but the manufacturing of the production units will be migrated to South
Africa. This will enhance South Africa’s vehicle design, manufacture
and support capability. The final product will, however, be more than
70% local content, designed and customised to meet the unique requirements
of operational deployment in an African environment.
In peace-enforcement operations it enables soldiers to dismount from
the vehicle and interact freely with the civilian population. But the
same vehicle also provides troops with effective protection and offensive
firepower in high-intensity warfare.
This project will also generate considerable international interest
in the vehicle and open a number of prospects for future exports that
could result in the injection of foreign direct investment into South
Africa.
As State-owned Companies, Armscor and Denel’s primary objectives
are to support the strategic and operational needs of the SANDF, and
this is done in a commercially viable environment that advances the
strategic initiatives of a developmental state as defined in the National
Development Plan (NDP) and the Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP).
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