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Local defence industry set for a boom in exports. Leading SA manufacturer predicts R70 billion revenue target in five years - buoyed by Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2026 expo 23 SEP 2026, 12:09 With the SA defence industry expected to achieve the R70 billion revenue target in five years, a leading manufacturer - buoyed by this year's five-day Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2026 expo, in its 13th edition, which finished on Sunday - has predicted a boom in export sales. Thousands thronged the Waterkloof Air Force Base for a spectacular air, ground, cyber, maritime and space capability display by state and private-owned aerospace; and the defence technologies industry. Reflecting on the AAD, Daniel du Plessis, Milkor vice president of Africa, said the industry was seeing a boom. "Since the previous edition of AAD, which has been a massive success, the industry is once again set for a big growth. Last year, the whole SA defence industry exported in excess of R10 billion of equipment to other countries. "In the build-up to the AAD, we recently held a strategy gathering to discuss the government's response and strengthen collaboration with the industry - enhancing the export figure to reach R70 billion within the next five-year cycle. I firmly believe that we are able to achieve the targets," said Du Plessis. He described the AAD exhibition as a landmark and significant event on the African continent, predominantly centred around the South African defence industry, with a few international companies also participating on a large scale. Milkor has emerged for the fourth time in a row as a diamond sponsor of the event. "What a privilege it has been to be a part of such a magnificent event. We had some great turnouts in the form of African delegations. Even in the light of the African Union meeting taking place in Burundi this week, delegates from many African countries made an effort to come through. We held discussions on tackling the complex security and defence challenges confronting the continent. There has also been some great international participation - both from the industry and defence forces," said Du Plessis. Milkor has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Safran, a major French international high-technology group, with operations in aviation, defence and space. Said Du Plessis: "Since the previous edition of AAD, we have this time been exceptionally privileged. We have launched a few new products and new vehicles specifically. We have moved and shifted the focus to refining our products for operational use - luckily now also having been operationally deployed. We have fostered good relationships with international companies to continue expanding on their operational platform and looking at what the Milkor 380 has to offer. We signed an MOU with Safran, a French company with major defence solutions, electronic warfare capabilities, electronic and systems integration. It is a huge privilege to be associated with such a company." The Milkor 380 is a medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) designed, developed and manufactured by the South African defence firm. It is notably the largest drone developed and manufactured on the African continent - primarily designed for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and precision strike missions. Milkor has also forged a collaboration with MBDA, a European leader in the design and building of missiles and systems. "We have some significant skills in this country and we shouldn't stand back and think that we are less than or not able to compete on a global stage. We should actually pursue international cooperation and look at how we can leverage the skills that we have left in this country - advancing forward to generate substantial technological advancements," added Du Plessis. The AAD, said Du Plessis, showcased on a larger scale and international level, South Africa's defence industry capabilities. "In our two stands, we showed defence solutions across all domains - including air, land, sea and cyber. We focused on the landward systems, including the recently launched Milkor BushCat. The latest variant of the BushCat has essentially also been earmarked for the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) - following a recent very competitive bidding process and tender. "It was selected by Armscor and the SANDF to be implemented on border patrol operations - in line with the Border Improvement Plan," he said.

Germany and U.S. Seal major Patriot and strike missile production pact. Germany will serve as an additional production hub for scarce American munitions, with PAC-3 MSE interceptor work beginning later this year and officials examining German supply opportunities for Tomahawk components as Berlin builds deeper strike capacity. September 17, 2026 * Germany will become an additional production hub for scarce munitions used by American weapons when U.S. manufacturers face overwhelming demand. * MBDA plans to begin producing PAC-3 MSE Patriot interceptors at its Schrobenhausen plant later this year. * German and American officials will examine which Tomahawk cruise missile components Germany could supply. * Germany has ordered 35 F-35 aircraft, with Berlin defense officials considering additional planes. Discover more Download Reference Apps Get Language Courses Stream History Documentaries Germany and the United States have signed an agreement designed to make Germany an additional production hub for scarce munitions used by American weapons. Under the arrangement, German workers could produce those munitions when firms in the United States are overwhelmed by demand. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and U.S. War Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the pact Tuesday during Pistorius's Pentagon visit. German officials have been seeking practical anchors in the transatlantic defense relationship amid President Trump's recurring criticism of NATO and Europe. Hegseth presented the agreement as linking defense acquisition reform in both countries. "When we align the two, you expand opportunities for joint development, production, licensed manufacturing and expanded maintenance and sustainment capacities - exactly what allied countries should be doing," he said. Germany's branch of pan European missile manufacturer MBDA already produces older PAC-2 Patriot air defense interceptors. Production of the newer PAC-3 MSE interceptor is scheduled to start at the company's plant in Schrobenhausen later this year, Pistorius told reporters. Following recent reports that Congress is considering a nationwide voter ID requirement for federal elections, do you support requiring voters to show identification before casting a ballot? By completing the poll, you agree to receive emails from Objectivist.co, occasional offers from its partners and that you've read and agree to its privacy policy and legal statement. Officials from both nations will also examine which Tomahawk cruise missile components Germany could supply. Berlin wants Tomahawks and Typhon launchers for its emerging "deep precision strike" complex, though manufacturing timelines are longer than German defense leaders want to wait. Patriot interceptors and Tomahawk cruise missiles have emerged as leading examples of scarce weaponry. European countries sent much of their Patriot inventories to Ukraine to help Kyiv counter Russian missiles and attack drones, leaving those nations racing to replenish their own arsenals. American forces have reportedly reduced the Pentagon's Tomahawk inventory considerably during the war against Iran. The missile's precision and 1,000 mile range have made it difficult to obtain for European countries such as Germany, which wants to create a long range strike capability. Berlin is keeping other medium and long range options available while developing an upgraded version of the German and Swedish Taurus missile. Germany also belongs to a European group pursuing a domestically developed alternative called ELSA. German officials are also considering the Anthem cruise missile from U.S. company Covenant and potential cooperation with Ukraine, Pistorius said in Washington. Those possibilities sit alongside Berlin's interest in Tomahawk missiles and the upgraded Taurus weapon. The new German industrial initiative with Washington could irritate European autonomy advocates, particularly in France. Paris has watched Berlin leave joint weapons development programs in recent years for faster American purchases, including Boeing's P-8 maritime surveillance aircraft and Lockheed Martin's F-35 fighter jets. Some French officials viewed those purchases as weakening bilateral projects to develop next generation aircraft for the same missions. France has repeatedly objected to spending European money on American weapons built under license, arguing that EU funds should expand European industrial capacity instead. Sebastien Lecornu, who was Armed Forces Minister at the time and is now prime minister, said in February 2025 that such licensed production would be a "historic mistake." The French government has contrasted German Patriot interceptor production with investment in the French and Italian SAMP/T system, whose design authority remains in Europe. At the Pentagon, Hegseth concentrated on the agreement's mechanics, while Pistorius supplied the geopolitical case. Pistorius said the West may be confronting its greatest threat since the height of the Cold War, citing Russia's war against Ukraine, nuclear modernization, Arctic presence and militarization of space. "Russia will remain the biggest threat to Euro-Atlantic security in the foreseeable future," Pistorius said. After his meeting with Hegseth, the German minister was scheduled to meet U.S. lawmakers and local defense company executives, according to the German Ministry of Defense. Pistorius's trip is set to conclude Friday with a ceremony marking the handover of Germany's first F-35 from the production line at Lockheed Martin's Fort Worth, Texas, plant. Germany has ordered 35 aircraft, and defense officials in Berlin are considering more. The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Objectivist. Contact Objectivist for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.

Germany, US to expand shared production of Patriot interceptors, strike missiles. Sep 16, 2026, 07:47 AM COLOGNE, Germany - The defense leaders of Germany and the United States have signed an agreement positioning Germany as an additional production hub where workers can make scarce munitions for American weapons if stateside U.S. firms are overwhelmed by demand. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the pact on Tuesday during a visit by Pistorius to the Pentagon. It comes as German officials, in particular, are looking to secure practical touchpoints in the trans-Atlantic defense relationship, dinged by U.S. President Trump's on-again, off-again disdain for NATO and Europe. Hegseth portrayed the agreement as combining defense-acquisition reform initiatives in both nations. "When we align the two, you expand opportunities for joint development, production, licensed manufacturing and expanded maintenance and sustainment capacities - exactly what allied countries should be doing," he said. Germany's arm of pan-European missile maker MBDA is already making Patriot air-defense interceptors of the older PAC-2 generation. Production of the latest PAC-3 MSE interceptor is set to begin at the company's plant in Schrobenhausen later this year, Pistorius told reporters. In addition, officials from both countries will consider which components of the Tomahawk cruise missile Germany could supply, he told reporters. Berlin wants to buy the missiles, along with Typhon launchers, as part of Germany's emerging "deep precision strike" complex. While there is agreement on a political level on selling the weapons, manufacturing them will take longer than defense leaders in Berlin want to wait. Patriot interceptors and Tomahawk cruise missiles have become prime examples of scarce weaponry in recent years. European nations have funneled much of their Patriot inventories to Ukraine to help Kyiv defend against barrages of Russian missiles and attack drones, and they are now scrambling to rebuild their own arsenals. Meanwhile, U.S. forces have reportedly drawn down the Pentagon's Tomahawk stock considerably during the war against Iran. That has made the cruise missiles, prized for their precision at a range of 1,000 miles, hard to obtain for European countries, like Germany, looking to build a long-range strike capability from scratch. Berlin is keeping its options open for more readily available medium- and long-range weapons while developing an upgraded version of its own German-Swedish Taurus missile. For example, Germany is part of a European group of nations looking for a homegrown alternative, known as ELSA. In addition, officials are eyeing the Anthem cruise missile by U.S.-based firm Covenant, as well as a cooperation with Ukraine, Pistorius said in Washington. Germany's new defense-industry overture with the U.S. may ruffle some feathers among European autonomy purists, especially in France. Paris has already seen Berlin walk away from joint weapons development programs in recent years in favor of quicker purchases from the U.S. Those include P-8 maritime surveillance aircraft made by Boeing and F-35 fighter jets by Lockheed Martin. The acquisitions were perceived by some French officials as sucking the air out of bilateral efforts to develop next-generation aircraft for each of the two mission types. France has repeatedly criticized the use of European money to produce U.S. weapons under license, with then-Armed Forces Minister Sebastien Lecornu, the current prime minister, saying in February 2025 that doing so would be a "historic mistake." The French government has argued that EU funds should build up European defense-industrial capacity, rather than subsidizing systems whose design authority remains outside of Europe, citing German production of interceptors for the Patriot air-defense system rather than investing in the French-Italian SAMP/T. During their public remarks at the Pentagon on Tuesday, Hegseth focused on the mechanics of the new defense-cooperation agreement, as Pistorius painted a geopolitical context for the pact. "We need to realize once more... that we are currently experiencing what might be the greatest threat to the alliance, the West, and our way of life since the height of the Cold War," Pistorius said. "Russia has been waging a brutal war against Ukraine for almost five years now. Russia is modernizing its nuclear arsenal, increasing its presence in the Arctic and militarizing space." "Russia will remain the biggest threat to Euro-Atlantic security in the foreseeable future," he added. The German defense minister was scheduled to meet with U.S. lawmakers and local defense company executives after meeting Hegseth in Washington, per the German Ministry of Defense. His trip will be capped on Friday by a handover ceremony of the first German F-35 coming off the production line at Lockheed Martin's plant in Fort Worth, Texas. Germany has ordered 35 of the planes so far, but defense officials in Berlin are eyeing more. Rudy Ruitenberg in Paris and Linus Höller in Vienna contributed to this report. Sebastian Sprenger is associate editor for Europe at Defense News, reporting on the state of the defense market in the region, and on U.S.-Europe cooperation and multi-national investments in defense and global security. Previously he served as managing editor for Defense News. He is based in Cologne, Germany.