SAPS Launches Safer Festive Season Operations 2026/2027 to Strengthen Public Safety Across South Africa
By Defence Circle/Image:SAPS The South African Police Service (SAPS) has officially launched its Safer Festive Season Operations for 2026/2027, outlining a nationwide strategy to combat crime, improve road safety and protect communities, businesses and holidaymakers during the busy festive period. The national launch took place on Monday, 12 October 2026, at Kwabokweni Stadium in Kwabokweni […]
First Gripen E Produced in Brazil Completes Maiden Flight
By Defence Circle/Images:SAAB The first Saab Gripen E fighter manufactured in Brazil has completed its maiden flight, marking a significant milestone in the country’s aerospace and defence industry and strengthening Brazil’s role in the global Gripen production programme. The aircraft took to the skies on 6 October 2026, departing from Embraer’s Gavião Peixoto aerodrome in […]
CSIR: Eight Decades at South Africa’s Scientific & Industrial Forefront
by Brett Macdonald/Images:CSIR The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) was co-founded by Field Marshal Jan Smuts and Sir Basil Schonland on 5 October 1945 to conduct directed research for advancing science and industry, in a bid to support post-war industrial growth in the country after World War Two. Headquartered on the “Scientia” campus […]
Denel reaffirms commitment to turnaround and South Africa’s sovereign defence capability
by Defence Circle/Denel/Image: Jarryd Sinovich Denel Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr Tsepo Monaheng, today reaffirmed the company’s commitment to strengthening its operational and financial sustainability while preserving the critical capabilities required to support South Africa’s sovereign defence mandate. Addressing the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans during the presentation of Denel’s 2025/26 Annual Report, […]
Italy and Leonardo to Strengthen Defence Engagement with Nigeria at AFRIDEX 2026
By Defence Circle/Image: Leonardo Italian delegation and Leonardo to attend Lagos exhibition as Nigeria advances delivery of AW109 Trekker helicopters and M-346 fighter-attack aircraft Italy is set to strengthen its defence engagement with Nigeria through the participation of an official Italian delegation and aerospace company Leonardo at the inaugural Africa International Defence Exhibition (AFRIDEX) 2026, […]
Exercise IBSAMAR IX 2026 Begins in Simon’s Town as India, Brazil and South Africa Strengthen Naval Cooperation
Exercise IBSAMAR IX 2026 has commenced in Simon’s Town, Western Cape, bringing together the navies of India, Brazil and South Africa for a multinational maritime exercise aimed at strengthening interoperability, professional cooperation and maritime security. Taking place from 8 to 21 October 2026 in the Simon’s Town and False Bay areas, the exercise is hosted […]
Morocco’s First F-16 Block 72 Completes First Flight
By Jarryd Sinovich/Image: Lockheed Martin The Royal Moroccan Air Force (RMAF) has reached a significant milestone in its F-16 modernisation programme with the successful first flight of its first F-16 Block 72 aircraft. The aircraft’s initial flight marks the beginning of a comprehensive flight-testing programme ahead of its eventual delivery to Morocco and represents an […]
SAS Amatola Undergoes Urgent Dry-Docking Ahead of Return to Sea
By Defence Circle/Armscor Armscor Dockyard, working in close collaboration with the South African Navy, hassuccessfully completed urgent maintenance on the SAS Amatola, demonstrating a renewedfocus on responsiveness, operational readiness and improved service delivery to the country’smaritime defence capability. The vessel required immediate dry-docking to address defects identified on its underwater hulland to undertake essential maintenance […]
ROSOBORONEXPORT launching 20 new projects in Africa
By Brett Macdonald/Images: Brett Macdonald & Russian Embassy in the Republic of South Africa ROSOBORONEXPORT is the widely known umbrella that facilitates sales, joint-ventures and other means of cooperation between the various defence companies in Russia. Operating under Rostec which is the industry’s link to the Russian Ministry of Defence, Rosoboronexport provides the platform on […]
How Bushtec Solutions Powers Off-Grid Water Purification
In modern expeditionary and asymmetric warfare, force projection is fundamentally constrained by logistics. While ammunition and fuel frequently dominate operational planning, water remains the most continuous and high-volume sustainment burden on the battlefield under the stark operational reality: no water, no operation. Transporting bulk potable water across contested, austere or infrastructure-denied environments creates significant vulnerability […]