Made-in-Africa military drones on the rise – The Mail & Guardian

Nigeria, Algeria and Ethiopia are cited as the most viable markets for the domestic drone industry, based on the number and types of drones purchased annually. Photo: bird story agency sourced

As unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) become increasingly important to modern armed forces, African countries are investing in local production of military drones.

The latest African drone procurement data shows the continent is making “significant progress” in developing indigenous drones – potentially sparking an arms race – as countries compete to gain a technological edge over their neighbors.

The data from Military Africa, an online resource for the defense industry, tracks up to 35 different drone models made in Africa – both in use and beyond the prototype phase.

“The unmanned aerial vehicles have been developed in seven African countries by thirteen different companies, demonstrating the continent’s growing expertise and innovation in this area,” Military Africa said in the 2024 procurement data report.

The digital defense industry lists Egypt, Sudan, South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya and Ethiopia among the countries with traces of indigenous technology production of these small aircraft, which are remotely controlled without a human pilot on board.

There are currently approximately 180 locally made units. The majority are fixed wings (174), while rotary wings and vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) are less common on the market at three units each.

Fixed-wing drones are suitable for long-duration, long-range missions such as search and rescue, maritime patrol and air strike.

Regionally, South Africa is a leader in locally produced drones, with production of 94 units across 12 models. North Africa follows with 51 units spread over 14 models, West Africa has produced 20 units and East Africa 15.

South Africa’s Denel is Africa’s leading and largest drone manufacturer.

“South Africa was an early adopter of unmanned aerial vehicles and the military encouraged drone development from 1970 onwards. Refined by combat experience, the drone industry flourished in the 1980s,” the report said.

In September 2023, South Africa achieved a “major milestone” when its locally manufactured UAV, the Milkor 380 – with an impressive wingspan of 18.6 meters and a maximum take-off weight of 1,300 kilograms – achieved its inaugural flight.

Nigeria is home to Africa’s second largest drone manufacturer, the Airforce Institute of Technology (AFIT), with 20 units produced since it started operations in the 2000s.

Nigerian drones include the Tsaigumi UAV, developed in a partnership between the Airforce Research and Development Center and Portugal-based UAVision.

While North African countries such as Egypt rely heavily on the import of military drones, there are several locally built or assembled units. These include the EJune-30SW model, which was produced by the Egyptian Ministry of Army, using complex robotics. According to Military Africa, this could likely be the result of technology transfer from the United Arab Emirates to the North African country.

Another Egyptian-made model is the ASN-209 UAV, a collaboration between the Egyptian military and Chinese defense manufacturer Xi-an Aisheng Technology Group.

In Algeria, Star Aviation developed the Amel series in 2013. Developed in 2016, the Amel 300 was manufactured by the Center Industrial Research Technology (CRTI), with 17 units produced to date.

The Tunisian Nasnan drone, produced by Tunisia Aero Technologies Industries (TATI), first flew in August 1998.

“North African countries are not only avid arms importers, they are also increasingly seeking to create indigenous defense capabilities,” the report says.

In East Africa, Kenya and Ethiopia top the list for local production of military drones.

Kenya has reverse-engineered Israel’s Aerostar drone – dubbed ‘TAI’ – with the help of Turkish engineers. The model was unveiled in 2021.

Ethiopia’s WanderB (designated MDAV-1) has two variants: UAV and Reserve Component (RC) Training. In 2010, the country also showed off a prototype, the MALE UAV, developed by Ethiopian engineers and the Turkish company Milyaz.

Drones are used in Africa for a variety of purposes, from combating terrorism to monitoring illegal activities such as poaching and smuggling, to delivering medical supplies to remote areas. However, there is now more attention for military drones.

“The use of military drones in Africa has increased significantly in recent years, with at least 21 countries deploying drones for military purposes,” said the report, based on information from procurement data.

Nigeria, Algeria and Ethiopia are cited as the most viable markets for the domestic drone industry, based on the number and types of drones purchased annually. Nigeria leads with 28 types.

Egypt has purchased the most drones with 267, followed by Morocco with 233. North Africa is considered the most powerful region in Africa in terms of military capabilities and expenditure.

Nigeria is third on the list with 177 drones purchased and is also considered a major military spender.

Africa mainly imports military drones from China (400 units), Israel (309 units) and the United States of America (227 units).

– bird, story agency