Insights Hub

Nigeria is reviving its air force with a number of aircraft acquisitions from abroad and refurbishment of grounded aircraft to intensify its operations against Islamic extremist group Boko Haram and reposition itself to better protect its national security. Nigeria’s Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, stated that: “The Nigerian Air Force has adopted and is currently executing operational strategies to boost the operational efficiency of the Nigerian Air Force while also improving the welfare of its airmen and some of the communities within its area of operation.”

Written by Sylvia Caravotas (Satovarac Consulting) for OIDA. The full article is available from OIDA.

South Africa has attracted a number of international companies dealing in defence technologies, some of which have the largest operation outside of their homeland in the country. Swedish company Saab is one of these companies with over 700 employees in South Africa alone and a strong presence in the African market with offices in South Africa, Botswana, and Kenya. Among its many business areas, Saab is widely known for its aeronautics and avionics systems for military and civilian aircraft. South Africa has become a strategic base for Saab to market its portfolio throughout Africa.

Written by Sylvia Caravotas (Satovarac Consulting) for OIDA. The full article is available from OIDA.

South Africa’s maritime is receiving much-needed attention to ensure it can manage the escalating security challenges in the region. On the agenda, is the South African Navy’s historic Naval Station on Salisbury Island in Durban, which is undergoing a massive revamp to transform it into a functioning Naval Base.

Written by Sylvia Caravotas (Satovarac Consulting) for OIDA. The full article is available from OIDA.

Undoubtedly marked on the calendars of aerospace and defence connoisseurs worldwide, the biennial Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) exhibition showcases the latest technological innovations offering solutions for Africa’s security challenges in the air, on the ground, and at sea. The 2016 AAD expo was open to trade visitors from 14 to 16 September at Waterkloof Air Force Base with exhibits across 7 hangars (indoor and outdoor), static aircraft displays, and hospitality chalets for invited guests.

Written by Sylvia Caravotas (Satovarac Consulting) for OIDA. The full article is available from OIDA.

The economic situation in Greece is dire. Walk the streets of Athens and you will see Greeks digging in trash cans for food. With no jobs and withdrawal limits imposed on locals, hard cash is elusive and hard to come by. Those situated outside defence circles will therefore be surprised (and perhaps a little shocked) to discover that according to NATO Greece is a large defence spender with 2.38% of its GDP for 2015, second to the United States who spends 3.59 % of its GDP on defence.

Written by Sylvia Caravotas (Satovarac Consulting) for OIDA. The full article is available from OIDA.

The South African Navy’s, Project Biro, has attracted the attention of local and foreign shipyards that are currently competing to build three inshore patrol vessels (IPVs) and three offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) by 2024/25 at an estimated cost of R6 billion. The patrol vessels specifications include armament with a 30mm gun for inshores (IPVs) and 76mm gun for the offshores (OPVs). According to Jane’s Defence Weekly, South African Navy sources stated that the new vessels will replace the strike craft and minehunters acquired in the 1970s and 1980s, and will undoubtedly boost South African maritime efforts.

Written by Sylvia Caravotas (Satovarac Consulting) for OIDA. The full article is available from OIDA.