November - Department of Defence

More documents

Recommendations

Info

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.
Gripen commissioningushers peace and stabilityBy Lt Col Frans PalePhotos: Sgt Lebogang TlhaoleThe four Gripen fighter aircrafthovered down like gentle rainfrom heaven to the AFBYsterplaat air tarmac to thecheers of curious onlookers,including local and foreignguests, and a contingent ofmembers of the press on 17 September2008 at the recent Africa Aerospace andDefence (AAD) Expo 2008 in CapeTown.The occasion also marked the commissioningand official handover of theGripen fighter aircraft to the Chief ofthe SA Air Force, Lt Gen CarlosGagiano, by the then Minister ofDefence, Mr Mosiuoa Lekota.Speaking to over 400 local and foreignbusiness dignitaries at the Gripencommissioning Mr Lekota said theGripen would be used in peacekeepingmissions in South Africa and on theAfrican continent.He said the Gripens, which replacethe 21-year-old Cheetahs, will be theReady to soar in the blue skies, the newly acquired Gripen fighter aircraft.At a warm reception from the Mother City, Gripen fighter aircraft fly pastduring the commissioning and handing over parade at AFB Ysterplaat.icons of South Africa's air capabilityfor several decades to come.He cautioned that the possessionof these advanced aircraft alone doesnot impart anything more than a latentcapability. "The recruitment, trainingand retention of skilled personnelsuch as pilots, technicians, fightercontrollers and a host of others arecritical if that latent capability is to berealised."Mr Lekota reiterated the importanceof acquiring the Gripens as theywould be used to encourage peace onthe African continent. "The imperativeto defend South Africa and herpeople and our commitment to collectivedefence, peace, security andthe furtherance of Africa's developmentmake fighter capability a keycomponent of South Africa's defencecapability."He added that the Gripens wouldbe powerful symbols of these nationalcommitments and providers ofvital operational capabilities if theyshould ever be required on theAfrican continent or beyond.NO VEMB ER 2 0 0 8 • S A S O L D I E R21
Page 2: SA SOLDIERThe official monthly maga
Page 5 and 6: A P R I L 2 0 0 7 • S A S O L D I
Page 7 and 8: AFRICA AEROSPACE AND DEFENCE 2008As
Page 9 and 10: POSITIVE THINKINGWhatever comes int
Page 11 and 12: In memory ofan honorable manBy Lt C
Page 13 and 14: WOMEN IN PEACEKEEPINGThe UNAMID hyb
Page 15 and 16: DOD trains inspectorsof the Angolan
Page 17 and 18: Reaction Force concept.Speaking to
Page 19: Mr Paul Myeza, Managing Director of
Page 23 and 24: Enriching young mindsbecause our yo
Page 25 and 26: Preliminary languageorientation cou
Page 27 and 28: Going beyondthe extra mileBy Bibi M
Page 29 and 30: Best Sergeant in the SA Army:Sgt P.
Page 31 and 32: NO VEMB ER 2 0 0 8 • S A S O L D
Page 33 and 34: SANDF membersundergoing conversiont
Page 35 and 36: During the singing of the National
Page 37 and 38: from page 23cheque to improve the e
Page 39 and 40: A career ofcommitment at seaBy Lt G
Page 43 and 44: Robert Mandita. He thanked peoplefo
Page 45 and 46: Survivor Day withthe SignallersBy C
Page 47: NO VEMB ER 2 0 0 8 • S A S O L D

November - Department of Defence

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?