From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, this is the Real Economy Report. The South African arm of Germany-based defence and security group Cassidian has designed and manufactured what it describes as the world’s most modern submarine periscope in its class, at its purpose-built facility in Irene, Centurion. Natalie Greve has the story.

Natalie Greve:
The R25-million SERO 250 submarine periscope system is fully designed and manufactured in South Africa, and features high-performance optics, an infrared camera, a still camera, laser capabilities, as well as night vision equipment.

The assembly process of the 12-m-tall periscopes, which takes between nine and twelve months, is conducted in a succession of “clean rooms” at Cassidian’s local facility, where the highly polished glass-optics are fitted into the periscope tube in a controlled manufacturing environment.
The 850 kg periscope, which had a lifespan of some 30 years, is then moved to a tower for final testing and calibration, before being shipped to international clients.

Cassidian Optronics MD Kobus Viljoen discusses the development of the ‘proudly South African” periscope.

Cassidian Optronics MD Kobus Viljoen

Natalie Greve:
Viljoen adds that it is not only the local design and manufacture of the system that is notable, but also the fact that the company has committed to extensive localisation during manufacturing and reinvests a significant portion of its revenue into research and development.

Kobus Viljoen

Shannon de Ryhove:
Other news making headlines this week: a US company eyes the African PV market.

Nasdaq-listed solar photovoltaic (or PV) group First Solar says that it’s engaging with several sub-Saharan African governments around the benefits of installing utility-scale PV systems to diversify their energy mix and accelerate energy security.

First Solar regional director for Sub-Sahara Africa Johan Cilliers

That’s Creamer Media’s Real Economy Report. Join us again next week for more news and insight into South Africa’s real economy.