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Trimming Defence to fit Funding
by Helmoed Römer Heitman The potential for any major increase in defence funding is extremely limited for the time being. That reality demands two things of the Defence Force: This article focuses on the combat services; the rest of the Defence Force and the Secretariat will need to be scaled down at least commensurately. Given a deteriorating strategic environment, a key contrarian action must be to increase funding for Defence Intelligence and the
Rheinmetall and Hensoldt Demonstrate Networked Air Defence Capability
Rheinmetall Air Defence and Hensoldt have demonstrated a significant advance in networked air defence during the German Air Force’s Timber Express 2026 exercise in Manching. During the exercise, the air picture generated by Hensoldt’s Twinvis passive radar was successfully integrated into Rheinmetall’s Skymaster command and weapon engagement system, which was directing a Skynex air defence battery deployed during the scenario. The integration was conducted under realistic NATO networking conditions and demonstrated Skymaster’s open
HENSOLDT South Africa Backs AAD 2026 Conference as Key Sponsor
HENSOLDT South Africa has officially partnered with the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2026 Conference as a key sponsor, reinforcing the company’s ongoing commitment to driving indigenous technological development and defence innovation across the African continent. Running alongside the biennial exhibition from 16 to 18 September 2026 at Air Force Base Waterkloof in Centurion, the conference will convene senior military commanders, government officials, industry executives, researchers and technology experts under the theme “Africa’s
U.S. Delegation Reaffirms Strategic Partnership During Visit to Ghana
Assistant Secretary of War Daniel Zimmerman and U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) Deputy Commander Lieutenant General John Brennan concluded an official visit to Ghana from August 6 to August 8, 2026, aimed at reinforcing bilateral security cooperation between the United States and Ghana. The engagement in Accra followed the delegation’s participation in the second Joint Angolan-American Defence Cooperation Committee (DEFCOM) meeting held in Luanda, Angola, on August 5–6. During their stay, Assistant Secretary Zimmerman
![[WATCH] China condemns Philippine ships at scarborough shoal](https://defencenetwork.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/22-sept-china-phillipines-dn.jpg)
Namibian Navy Marks Milestone with Marine Graduation and Naval Training School Anniversary
The Naval Training School (NTS) marked a historic milestone by hosting the graduation ceremony of the 10th Marine Formation Course alongside its 10th anniversary at Tashia Nakada Barracks in Walvis Bay. The dual celebration highlighted a decade of dedicated professional military education within the Namibian Navy, bringing together senior defence officials, family members and military personnel to observe the passing out of the service’s newest marine recruits. The intensive 10th Marine Formation Course
Ivory Coast Navy Commissions Two Chinese-Donated Patrol Vessels to Boost Coastal Security
The Navy of Ivory Coast has officially commissioned two new patrol vessels donated by China during a formal military ceremony at the Plateau Naval Base in Abidjan. The arrival of the ships marks the latest step in a progressive fleet reconstruction strategy that the West African nation has pursued since the mid-2010s to secure its territorial waters and combat rising maritime security threats in the region. The commissioning ceremony was presided over by
Moroccan and Senegalese Vessels Join U.S. International Naval Review 250
The Royal Moroccan Navy frigate RMNS Mohammed VI and the Senegalese Navy offshore patrol vessel Niani have officially arrived in New York waters to participate in the historic International Naval Review 250. Held from 3 to 8 July 2026 in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States, the high-profile maritime gathering features a distinct and highly visible combat-capable presence from African nations. The deployment of these hulls highlights the expanding operational
Chinese Destroyer Tangshan Makes Historic Stop in Seychelles
Marking a significant milestone in Indian Ocean diplomacy, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy guided-missile destroyer Tangshan (Hull 122) arrived at Port Victoria for a five-day friendly visit. The visit serves as a highly visible celebration of two major diplomatic anniversaries and underscores Beijing’s evolving naval outreach strategy in Africa. The arrival of the Tangshan, which is currently deployed with the 48th Chinese naval escort taskforce, was precisely timed. This year marks
General Atomics AeroTec Systems to Spotlight Do228 NXT at AAD 2026
General Atomics AeroTec Systems (GA-ATS) is set to place a major strategic focus on the African continent with its upcoming participation in the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2026 Expo, scheduled to take place at Air Force Base Waterkloof from 16 to 20 September 2026. Exhibiting in Hangar 1 at Booth 1CW6, the German aircraft manufacturer will present its next-generation Do228 NXT twin-turboprop to regional defence delegations, civil authorities and commercial operators. The
Côte d’Ivoire Confirms Acquisition of Chinese Wing Loong II UAVs
The Armed Forces of Côte d’Ivoire have confirmed that the country has acquired Chinese-made Wing Loong II medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), marking a significant addition to its growing unmanned aviation capability. The acquisition was first revealed on 7 August during a military parade commemorating Côte d’Ivoire’s independence anniversary. The country’s armed forces subsequently confirmed the purchase on 10 August, releasing footage showing two Wing Loong II UAVs. The aircraft are
Paramount Strengthens Mwari Counter-UAS Capability Through Strategic Partnership with ASELSAN
Integration of ASELFLIR-500 further enhances South African-developed airborne counter-drone solution Paramount Aerospace Industries has strengthened the recently unveiled Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (Counter-UAS) capability of its multi-mission Mwari aircraft through the successful integration of ASELSAN’s advanced ASELFLIR-500 electro-optical targeting system. The integration forms part of a strategic collaboration between Paramount Aerospace Industries and ASELSAN and marks a significant enhancement of the dedicated Mwari Counter-UAS configuration announced by Paramount earlier this year. By combining Mwari’s
South African Air Force Concludes Ground School 01/2026 at AFB Ysterplaat
Ground School 01/2026, designated “Sky Hackers,” has concluded at 80 Air Navigation School at Air Force Base Ysterplaat, marking the successful completion of foundational academic instruction for South African Air Force (SAAF) pupil pilots and student navigators. Running from January 19 to June 26, 2026, the rigorous six-month program served as the essential theoretical prerequisite before candidates advance to practical flight operations and advanced navigation training phases. The course cohort comprised nine primary
SANParks Rangers Disrupt Major Abalone Poaching Operation in Tsitsikamma Marine Protected Area
U.S. targets Iran’s military supply chain and Houthi oil smuggling
Saab and Sabena technics team up to expand GlobalEye AEW&C aircraft modifications
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