‘The art of the possible’: Paramount says SA has enough home-grown defence talent

Paramount South Africa told media at a test demonstration outside Pretoria that the country has the engineering and manufacturing capability to supply modern defence equipment after the company showcased its Mbombe 8 infantry fighting vehicle.

Mbombe 8 and local capability

At Paramount’s media day, chair Mathews Phosa described the Mbombe 8 as demonstrating “the art of the possible” and said South Africa can compete internationally on engineering and manufacturing for defence equipment.

“South Africa does not have a defence technology problem, but a defence policy procurement challenge.”

Paramount said the Mbombe 8 meets the specifications for Project Hoefyster and noted it has built other variants in the Mbombe family, including the Mbombe 6 and Mbombe 4.

Procurement delays keep local kits out of SANDF service

The company highlighted long-standing procurement problems that it says have prevented it from supplying vehicles to the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). Paramount said, with the exception of 12 Marshall internal security vehicles acquired by the police, it has not been able to supply its vehicles to the SANDF despite the Mbombe family being acquired, built and deployed operationally in Africa, Europe and Asia.

The article notes Project Hoefyster set up in 2007 to replace the army’s Ratel fleet has yet to put a single Badger IFV in the field and is estimated to cost R16 billion in total.

Recent procurement developments

Paramount’s lightweight armoured vehicle, the Maatla, was short‑listed by Armscor this year for live field evaluations and trials for SANDF border security needs, but the tests were cancelled. A tender for more than R500 million for 500 armoured personnel carriers went to Milkor SA.

Testing and international interest

Deon Grobler, Paramount’s head of international vehicle business, said the Mbombe had been tested in a range of environments including deserts, snow and jungle and performed well. He also said testing showed the vehicle’s engine and gearbox could be stripped out and replaced in under 90 minutes.

Paramount plans to launch a light‑armoured military vehicle at the African Aerospace and Defence expo at Waterkloof Air Force Base.

What Paramount wants from government

Phosa urged government to allow local industry the chance to compete domestically, warning that without opportunities the nation’s defence industrial capability, and the jobs and factories it supports, could disappear. He said South African engineers, technology and manufacturing can meet demanding global standards and that government should “give SA engineers the opportunity” and equip soldiers accordingly.