The role of industry in the development and maintenance of air defence systems, and the need for governments to provide concrete support for local projects, were highlighted at the recent 2013 South African Joint Air Defence Symposium (Sajads) in Pretoria. The theme for this year’s event was ‘Integrated Joint Air Defence within the SADC [Southern African Development Community] and the Department of Trade and Industry’s Action Plan to Enhance Indigenisation’.

Delivering the opening speech on behalf of South African Navy Chief Vice Admiral Johannes Mudimu, Rear Admiral Rusty Higgs observed: “In particular, I thank all our partners in industry for their contribution to this symposium, particularly in view of the theme of this symposium, which revolves around continued industrial participation with the military to advance the need for the indigenisation of our inventory and thus improve cooperation and interoperability between our neighbours in the SADC and ourselves. This will not only develop our local industry but also ensure that our armed forces have a sustainable inventory that is suited to operations within the African battle space.”

He noted that the SADC sought, through its Mutual Defence Pact, greater cooperation in defence and security matters in order to resolve conflicts, settle disputes, achieve military preparedness and collective self-defence. Further, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) aimed to develop a “dynamic industrial, globally competitive South African economy, characterised by inclusive growth and development, and decent employment and equity, built on the full potential of all citizens”.

“The symposium is thus aligned with the South African government’s commitment to the SADC as an enabler for the regional integration and sustainable development,” he stated. “. . . cooperation in the fields of exchanging and sharing technology, developing and procuring indigenous standardised equipment, formulating operating procedures and doctrine, conducting mutual training opportunities and exercises will contribute directly towards our operational readiness to jointly function effectively and efficiently in all mandated operations.”

At the end of the symposium, Department of Defence Chief of Defence Policy, Strategy and Planning Dr Thobekile Gamede affirmed that South Africa’s and Africa’s armed forces play a key role in guaranteeing the conditions for development. She also called for SADC countries to commit funding to develop local defence systems.

“Our continent will only prosper if our armed forces take collective responsibility for the safeguarding of our resources and the protection of our people by defending our territorial integrity and sovereignty,” she stated in her closing address, delivered on behalf of the Secretary of Defence. “This goes hand in hand with using the wealth in our powerhouse of natural resources to ensure the development, economic growth and wellbeing of our people.”

She noted that, in a democracy, the armed forces supported both government and the people, because government represented the people. And the requirements of the armed forces could also be used to help develop local industry, through the indigenisation of equipment, including air defence systems. In this regard, she also referred to government’s Industrial Policy Action Plan and the DTI’s objective to develop a dynamic and globally competitive South African industrial sector and the SADC’s Mutual Defence Pact.

“To give impetus to this plan and pact, we must fully support the notion of jointly embarking on a programme of indigenisation of air defence equipment, amongst other initiatives, in the future,” she asserted. “To achieve this will, however, require commitment and ‘buy-in’ from our regional political and defence leaders. To ensure that we have defence equipment tailor-made for the SADC’s unique requirements, it is of the utmost importance that we mutually agree on designs and specifications. “Most importantly, we must commit ourselves financially by allocating appropriate budgets and signing formal agreements before we approach industry to embark on programmes of research, development and production of the desired joint air defence indigenous equipment.”

Developing indigenous systems should result in the region having a joint air defence capability that is affordable, operational and sustainable. This will allow effective interoperability and joint operations. In turn, this will allow rapid and efficient responses to “rising challenges”.

“The challenges that we face in the region, continentally and globally, can be better resolved by the strengthening and deepening of ties between the military, industry, research institutes and our partners both in Africa and internationally,” averred Gamede. “Besides air defence, there are many other challenges that can be collectively resolved with the determination and commitment of our people.”

In modern military jargon, the term ‘joint’ indicates operations involving more than one service, such as army and air force, air force and navy, or all three together. Sajads 2013, which was the eighth iteration of the biennial event, was hosted by the South African Navy and was held at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research International Convention Centre.