The South African Aerospace, Maritime and Defence Industries Association (AMD) has welcomed the commitment made, earlier this month, by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans, to revitalise the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). The Committee affirmed that it would prioritise the securing of sufficient funding, because this was of the utmost urgency. The Committee specifically pointed out that the current SANDF deployment in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was, at that time, unfunded.

“As the defence and security industry body we are pleased that our calls to prioritise the SANDF have been heard,” affirmed AMD CEO Sandile Ndlovu. “The Portfolio Committee’s announcement is a step in the right direction. The defence industry represents increased opportunity for our economy and has the potential to contribute approximately 3.5% to our [gross domestic product], which would make a meaningful contribution toward addressing the country’s socioeconomic performance.”

AMD had also been encouraged by reports that Defence Minister Angie Motshekga and her officials had been “robustly engaging” (in Motshekga’s words) with National Treasury on achieving the SANDF’s medium-term capital budget, which would cover the exploitation of evolving technologies as well as the maintenance and repair of existing systems. Further, the Minister had met with President Cyril Ramaphosa, specifically about the issue of SANDF funding. As a result, National Treasury had allocated R2-billion, from the National Revenue Fund, to cover the costs of the SANDF mission in the DRC.

“It is an encouraging and a welcome shift to see the department highlighting increased spending on equipment and new technology,” highlighted Ndlovu. “South Africa’s defence industry produces world-class defence and security products and solutions for governments around the world and it is only fitting that those products and solutions benefit our own soldiers back here at home and those working to maintain peace on the rest of the continent.”

Currently, about 95% of the products and services produced and provided by the South African defence industry are exported. AMD and its member companies are willing and ready to also partner with their home government to strengthen the country’s defence and security capabilities, in accordance with the Constitution and international law.

“A robust local manufacturing capability will bolster our overall defence capabilities,” he pointed out. “In addition, increased spending will mean new equipment, better training for our soldiers and the attraction of new talent, especially our youth. The commitments coming out of the government are positive and bode well for the future of the defence industry and our national safety.”