South African missile and unmanned air vehicle company Denel Dynamics has successfully extended the range of its Umkhonto surface-to-air missile to 20 km, while also testing a land-based launcher for the weapon for the first time. Hitherto, the Umkhonto has been only available as a naval system. The extended range was demonstrated during recent tests at the Denel Overberg Test Range (OTR) on the country’s south coast.

Radar detection and mid-course correction guidance for the missiles was provided by another South African system, Reutech Radar Systems’ RSR-320 radar. As a consequence, the tests were also the first demonstration of an entirely South African-developed integrated air defence system.

“Our local defence industry can develop products that are compatible and better than what is available in the rest of the world,” enthused Denel group CEO Riaz Saloojee. “This contributes to the strategic capabilities of the SANDF [South African National Defence Force] and strengthens the high-technology proficiencies of the defence sector.”

The live firing tests were observed by representatives from nine countries as well as from South Africa’s Department of Defence, defence acquisitions agency Armscor and the SANDF. Three war-shot missiles were launched, each against a low-cost aerial target system (Locat). The Locats were also launched from the Denel OTR and flew out to sea before swinging back towards land on an elliptical course. The missiles were used in their lock-on after launch mode: they were guided towards their targets by the RSR-320 radar until they were close enough for their own infrared seekers to lock on to the Locats. All three Locats were destroyed.

In two cases, the Locats were destroyed at a range of 15 km – previously the Umkhonto’s maximum range – while the remaining engagement saw the target destroyed at 20 km. The successful use of the land-based launcher for these tests means that the system is now an option for the South African Army’s Ground-Based Air Defence System Phase 2 programme.

The current operation versions of the Umkhonto – the name translates into English as Spear – are Block 1 and Block 2, with the latter having a longer (15 km) range than the former. Both blocks are in service with the South African Navy on its Valour-class frigates. The Block 2 version is also in service with the Finnish Navy, on its Hämeenmaa-class minelayers and its Hamina-class missile boats.