Serial local manufacturing of State-owned defence group Denel Land Systems’ (DLS’s) Badger infantry combat vehicle was expected to start within the next 24 months, with operational testing and evaluation progressing as planned, DLS CEO Stephan Burger said on Thursday.

In late 2013, Armscor placed a multibillion-rand order for 238 of the vehicles for the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).

The first local Badger was expected to be completed in late 2016, with the entire fleet of 238 vehicles to be delivered over a ten-year period, rejuvenating the country’s landward defence capabilities.

Prototypes were currently being tested at various testing grounds in the Northern Cape such as at Armscor’s Alkantpan facility and the South African Army’s combat training centre at Lohatla.

“The evaluation of the prototype vehicles is in process and we have received very positive feedback from the joint teams responsible for the testing,” Burger said.

The Badger’s platform was based on a design from Finnish company, Patria, which had been modified by DLS to meet local user requirements, including landmine protection, manoeuvrability and firepower, DLS noted.

A South African team would soon spend a few months in Finland to participate in the manufacturing of the initial vehicles after which the entire production would be moved to South Africa.

During this second stage, 70% of the vehicle would be produced in South Africa using local skills, manufacturing capacity, defence technology and subcontractors.

The Badger contract would create at least 2 000 jobs in the downstream South African defence industry among local subcontractors, as well as 200 direct jobs at DLS, covering a wide spectrum from graduate engineers, system designers and artisans to skilled and semiskilled workers.

“The programme makes a decisive contribution to meet the country’s industrial objectives with regard to skills development, advanced manufacturing and job creation,” he said.

DESIGN
Meanwhile, DLS Badger programme manager Avishkar Govender noted that the modular infantry system had been developed by DLS in five variants – Command, Section, Mortar, Missile and Fire Support derivatives.

The common turret structure, fitted with different weapon modules, as well as a common platform, with variant specific fits, would simplify the logistic support and reduce the cost of through-life support.

The Badger variants were also equipped with various weapon systems.

The main weapon system, used on the Section and Fire Support variants, was the 30 mm externally driven cam-operated cannon. This was developed by DLS, along with the 30 mm ammunition produced by Pretoria Metal Pressings, another Denel subsidiary.

For the Mortar Variant, a 60 mm breech-loading long-range mortar was developed by DLS, along with 60 mm long-range NATO ammunition, while the Ingwe antitank missile system, developed by Denel Dynamics, was used on the Missile Variant.

Burger said the Badger confirmed Denel’s position as South Africa’s premier producer of world-class defence products and systems and a strategic partner of the SANDF.

“[The Badger] is a ‘best-of-breed’ infantry combat vehicle able to compete with any other vehicle in its class,” he said.