Defence
Defence is the industry sector encompassing the design, manufacture, procurement and maintenance of military equipment, weapons systems, platforms and technologies for national security and armed forces operations. The sector includes aerospace and aviation (fighter jets, helicopters, drones), naval systems (warships, submarines), land systems (armoured vehicles, artillery), munitions, missile systems, cybersecurity, intelligence and surveillance technologies, and command-and-control infrastructure. Defence is a strategically sensitive industry characterised by high barriers to entry, long development cycles, substantial government funding and close collaboration between state agencies and private contractors. Major defence-producing nations include the United States, China, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, South Korea and Japan, with companies such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, Airbus Defence and Space, and Northrop Grumman among the global leaders. The sector is a significant consumer of advanced materials and rare-earth elements, particularly for precision-guided munitions, radar systems, jet engines, electronic warfare equipment and permanent magnets in motors and actuators. Defence spending is driven by geopolitical tensions, modernisation programmes, technological competition and national sovereignty considerations. The industry is subject to stringent export controls, international arms treaties and domestic procurement regulations. Technological convergence with semiconductors, artificial intelligence, autonomous systems and hypersonics is reshaping the defence landscape, while supply-chain security and critical-mineral access have become strategic priorities for defence planners worldwide.
Defence Updates
Is Africa becoming a new arena for adaptive drone warfare?
By: ISS, Institute for Security Studies 17th June 2026 The spread of Ukrainian technology and expertise could alter the balance between state and non-state armed groups across Africa. Ukraine has become... →
National Assembly passes the Defence Amendment Bill
12th June 2026 The National Assembly (NA) today passed the Defence Amendment Bill which amends the Defence Act of 2002 (Act No. 42 of 2002) to ensure compliance... →
Solidarity welcomes Denel's wage increase, but acknowledges the long road that still lies ahead
By: Creamer Media Reporter 20th May 2026 Trade union Solidarity has welcomed State-owned defence group Denel's decision to grant employees an across-the-board 5.5% wage increase, backdated... →
Daily Podcast – March 27, 2026
By: Halima Frost 27th March 2026 Making headlines: Ramaphosa backtracks on US role in G7 Summit snub; Motshekga calls for expanded role for women and youth in defence value chain;... →
Denel assures it is on the road to recovery
By: Rebecca Campbell 18th March 2026 The executive and the board of State-owned defence industrial group Denel have assured that the company is adopting proper and sound business... →
Parliamentary Committee concerned over lack of communications between defence industry and government
By: Rebecca Campbell 17th March 2026 The absence of a direct line of communication between government and the national defence industry has been flagged as a matter of concern by... →
Motshekga refuses to answer if Ramaphosa approved Iran joint naval exercise, despite U.S. offer of goodwill
6th March 2026 The Minister of Defence refused in Parliament on Wednesday to confirm whether the President’s authority over the SANDF was respected during... →
DA will probe R50-mil raid of Soldiers’ Fund
6th March 2026 Reports that up to R50 million belonging to South African soldiers may have been misappropriated through the South African Army Foundation point to... →
Warships as diplomats: how the South African Navy is tasked with building ties with other nations
4th March 2026 A naval exercise off the South African coast in January 2026, dubbed Will for Peace and involving the warships of South Africa, China, Russia, the... →
President Cyril Ramaphosa institutes naval exercise probe and appoints panel to investigate
27th February 2026 President Cyril Ramaphosa has instituted the probe related to the Exercise MOSI III Will of Peace (“the exercise”) and has appointed an... →
