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Unlocking Development through a Defence Industrial Strategy

The African Aerospace and Defence Expo in South Africa is one of the most important global gatherings of the defence sector.  Companies from around the world use it as an opportunity to demonstrate their capabilities to the increasingly important market of the developing world.  It is also a showcase for the best Africa has to offer; a chance to demonstrate cutting edge capabilities from across the continent. 

The ingenuity of African technology providers is recognised around the world and African companies have made great strides in recent years.  However, Africa still has some way to go before it realisesthe full potential afforded by defence.  AAD 2010 should be seen as a clarion call to drive economic development though defence through creation of Africa’s first defence industrial strategy.

The economic development of the West went hand in hand with the military developments within nation states.  Defence can contribute to the organisation of national industries, adds to education, skills and wider technological developments.  The X-ray, ballpoint pens and the jet engine all arose through military innovations.

If this opportunity is to be achieved it will require organisation on a continental scale.   National Government’s and industry need to come together to identify African strengths and develop an Africandefence industrial strategy.  This strategy must begin with a clear assessment of Africa’s defence industrial base.  It must determine the areas in which Africa can compete and identify the companies who are producing the requirements of today and the technologies of tomorrow.  It should also be honest about Africa’s weaknesses and where improvements should be made. 

The strategy should assess Africa’s requirements of the next 25 years and identify the areas of growth.  This will include developing African solutions to African problems such as an approach to peacekeeping which emphasises training and equipment.  However, this assessment of future requirement should expand beyond African shores by building partnerships and realising opportunities in other parts of the developing world.

Once Africa’s defence industrial ambitions have been determined the strategy should consider the skills and technologies required to achieve them.  It should determine what Governments and industry should do to ensure that engineering, high tech and management skills are spread across Africa.  Assured skills will allow for the delivery of assured capabilities.   They will also help secure greater levels of educational attainment which will also help attract inward investment in other sectors. 

The strategy should also consider new and more innovative approaches to funding which take account of the needs of developing economies.  A partnership of trust between governments and industry will allow conventional procurements to be supplemented with offset, counter-trade and barter funding. 

Now is the time for national governments and suppliers to come together to ensure that Africa’s capabilities are nourished, supported and that access to quality equipment and services are guaranteed.  History has shown that this will not happen on its own.  A clear continental strategy which transcends national borders is vital and that requires leadership.