November - Department of Defence

eventsArmour symposium 200820By Lt Col Kris Putter, SO1 AOT:SA Army Armour Formation HQDuring September this yearCape Town played host tosome big guns! The fifthSouth African ArmourSymposium was successfullypresented in Cape Town on16 September, while AirForce Base Ysterplaat hosted a varietyof local and international military andmilitary related exhibitors who participatedin the African Aerospace andDefence (AAD) Expo from 17 to 21September 2008.The Armour Symposium, generouslysponsored by members of theDefence Industry in South Africa, wasvery well attended and supported.The symposium was opened by theChief of the SA Army, Lt Gen SollyShoke, who emphasised that anarmour capability formed an indispensablepart of any army and that anorganisation like the SADC Brigadeneeded light and mobile forces, includingarmour, with a rapid deployablecapability for early entry and sustainedoperations in a conflict area. He concludedby expressing his wish that theS A S O L D I E R • NO VEMB ER 2 0 0 8outcome and result of this symposiumwould add value to the process alreadyin motion to further develop land doctrinefor the employment of armourand mechanised forces during peace,conflict and war, thereby creating a relevantand ready Army for 2020 andbeyond.The symposium focused on themulti-role deployment of the Armourin the African Battle Space and providedmuch food for thought for futureplanning and development in the SAArmour. Guest speakers covered subjectsranging from the politico-militaryand peacekeeping challenges throughto product related developments. Toadd value to the intellectual exercisesduring the symposium, delegates thereafteralso visited the AAD Show wherethey could appreciate, among otherthings, the contribution made by the SAArmour Formation in terms of the staticdisplay and demonstrations. Thelive mobility demonstrations were presentedin the most severe weather conditions,such as only the good old"Cape Doctor" could provide, and trulydisplayed the excellent terrain capabilitiesof our vehicles. The new RatelZT3A2 anti-tank missile system and theThe General Officer Commanding Armour Formation, Brig Gen ChrisGildenhuys (left), hands over a memento to the former Commander of theBotswana Defence Force, Lt Gen (Ret) Louis Fisher.Olifant Mk2 main battle tank were alsoon display while an electrically drivenversion of the Rooikat armoured carwas one of the mobility demonstrationparticipants.Under the spotlight at the symposium,speakers stressed the indispensablerole of armour in both its conventionalwarfare role and in OperationsOther Than War during peace supportoperations. It is foreseen that theseoperations will be required by theSADC Brigade as part of the AfricanStandby Force. Emphasis was placed onjoint, inter-agency and multinationaldoctrine encompassing defence, diplomacyand development. The importanceof simulation and experimentationin training and the requirement ofcommonality in terms of vehicles usedin SADC countries to enhance militaryinteroperability and logistic supportwas stressed, which in turn also affectsindustry support.The specific need for a light armourreconnaissance capability was highlightedagain. A concept doctrine in thisregard has already been presented tothe Joint Landward Defence CapabilityBoard. What the mix of light, mediumand heavy armour should be, additionalto the intricacies of size and supportelements required, were also extrapolated.Food for thought and planning!Summarising at the end of thesymposium the General Officer Commandingof the SA Army Armour Formation,Brig Gen Chris Gildenhuys,confirmed that the SA Armour wasready and keen to take the next stepstowards greater integration with themechanised infantry and to take part indedicated integrated force preparationexercises. The ultimate aim of the SAArmy Armour Formation is to be readyfor early deployment of armour forceelements to any RSA peace mission, inany theatre of conflict, in order to servethe best interests of South Africa andsecure peace on the African continent.