Defence News

Exoskeleton technologies are increasing as artificial intelligence brings new opportunities to the forefront. These technologies improve soldiers’ endurance, strength, and speed on the battlefield. One such technology is Lockheed Martin’s ONYX, a powered lower-body exoskeleton with dermoskeleton technology (rigid and flexible structures that conform to the body) licensed from B-TEMIA and tracking sensors. Its ability to increase mobility and dramatically reduce fatigue makes it an exciting new product in the defence market.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become one of the major disruptors in technology today. It is seen as a key future differentiator in various industries including banking, automotive, healthcare, manufacturing, and most importantly defence and security. It has the ability to outperform humans in tasks such as image and object recognition, voice generation, speech recognition, and decision-making. 

Airbus Defence and Space showcased during their South African Defence Day 2018 held in Pretoria recently, a portfolio of new satellite-based solutions to the South African military and other institutions. Airbus offers a wide range of earth observation satellite capabilities and services that have seen steady growth within the African market.

The Institute for Maritime Technology (IMT), a division of Armscor Defence Institutes, provides research-based technological development and systemic support to the South African Navy. Armscor is the acquisition agency for the South African Department of Defence however it has expanded its service offering to include the research and development of technologies that are marketed locally and internationally.

The IMT has evolved to provide services outside of the maritime domain to other South African National Defence Force (SANDF) structures. State-owned defence-related research institutions in South African at times collaborate and are involved in the transfer of technology from military to civilian applications. An example of this is IMT’s Ultrasonic Broken Rail Detector (UBRD), initially developed to detect cracks on submarines by utilizing sensor technology. 

With drones gaining more popularity, anti-drone technologies may become a necessary countermeasure in years to come to neutralise drone threats in the defence, commercial, and homeland security sectors by detecting and intercepting drones. Anti-drone technology is also known as counter-UAS, C-UAS, or counter-UAC technology. As in any market segment, anti-drone manufacturers consist of the larger corporates like Thales, Lockheed Martin, and SAAB, however start-ups are becoming fierce competitors with their own in-house innovations, low-cost manufacturing capabilities, and the ability to build anti-drone systems to customer requirements.

Written by Sylvia Caravotas (Satovarac Consulting) for OIDA. The full article is available from OIDA.

We recently visited China to view and test anti-drone equipment that can be tailored to requirements by the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) including exterior design, capabilities, and accessories.

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Aerospace defence is a priority for Russia and since 1995 the A-135 anti-ballistic missile system has been primed to counter enemy missiles targeting Moscow. In February 2018, Russia successfully carried out an air defence missile test at Sary-Shagan in Kazakhstan. The new air defence missile can precisely intercept single and multiple strikes, including new-generation intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and will be added to the upgraded version of the A-135 (reportedly named the A-235). Deputy commander of the Air and Space Defense Alliance, Colonel Andrei Prikhodko, stated that the modernized anti-ballistic missile defence system successfully accomplished the task and struck the conventional target with the specified accuracy.

Written by Sylvia Caravotas (Satovarac Consulting) for OIDA. The full article is available from OIDA.

The battle between Airbus and Boeing to reign over the commercial aerospace market is far from over. As analysts predicted this past October, Boeing (the world’s largest aircraft manufacturer and an American company) is indeed pushing to strengthen its partnership with Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer. In December 2017, the two companies discussed a potential combination and many are speculating as to what this combination shall entail.

Written by Sylvia Caravotas (Satovarac Consulting) for OIDA. The full article is available from OIDA.

As connectivity grows on the African continent, so will the threat of cyber-attacks. The South African Department of Defence in particular is planning through the defence intelligence programme (and with an allocation of R72 million over the medium term) to institutionalize a cyber security policy, implement its cyber warfare strategy, and establish a cyber command centre.

Written by Sylvia Caravotas (Satovarac Consulting) for OIDA. The full article is available from OIDA.

Croatia and Serbia are two Balkan states that will see increased defence budgets in 2018 with a focus on air defence. Croatia, unlike Serbia, is a member of the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Serbia is taking steps to join the EU, but has no desire at present to join NATO and wishes to remain militarily neutral. It is however a member of NATO’s Partnership for Peace programme and continues to have political dialogue and cooperation with NATO on democratic, institutional, and defence reforms. Serbia’s opposition of Kosovo’s declaration as a sovereign and independent state will continue to influence any alliances and membership.