Denel Land Systems (DLS) CEO Stephan Burger has hailed the contract for the Badger infantry fighting vehicle for the South African Army (under Project Hoefyster) as "really the most significant defence contract ever signed with a South African defence company". He was briefing the media at the DLS facility in Centurion, south of Pretoria, on Tuesday.

"Through this programme, Denel makes another decisive contribution to meeting the country's industrial objectives," he affirmed. These include advanced manufacturing, job creation, skills development, and the earning of foreign currency through export orders. 

DLS is currently ramping up to execute the Badger contract. "It's a huge contract," he observed. The Badger is a South African development of the Finnish Patria Armoured Modular Vehicle. The Badger's turret has been totally designed and developed by DLS. In addition, DLS increased the vehicle's resistance to land mines and improvised explosive devices, without reducing its mobility.

The Badger is a complete armoured vehicle system and the South African Army will acquire five variants (although more variants can be developed). These are the section variant (which will carry an infantry section), the fire support variant, the mortar variant, the missile variant and the command variant. The Badger combines mobility with firepower and protection.

The section and fire support versions are both fitted with a new 30 mm cannon, also developed by DLS. It fires from a closed breech, which is unique for this calibre. The mortar version is armed with a locally developed 60 mm water-cooled breech-loading mortar, which has a high rate of fire. It is also unique in its calibre.

"This division of Denel [DLS] is a design house, assembly plant and manufacturer of key systems like gun barrels," explained Burger. "All else is contracted out to South African industry." The Badger programme will create 200 direct jobs at DLS and at least 2 000 more in other local companies.