The Department of Trade, Industry and Commerce (DTIC) is bracing for amendments to local content and production requirements. The Public Procurement Bill, which will be presented to Parliament in 2023, will codify preferential policies and offset programmes in public procurement, and new regulations will be drafted to that effect, a senior official told CTO. The news follows a period of turmoil for South Africa’s procurement laws.
Japan, Britain, and Italy have launched the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a highly anticipated collaboration to develop a next-generation fighter aircraft by 2035. CTO speaks to industry professionals close to the programme about technology transfer, workshare distribution, and export opportunities.
Japan has selected Finnish defence prime Patria to supply the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) with a new 8x8 armoured vehicle under the Wheeled Armoured Personnel Carrier (WAPC) programme. The deal will produce the vehicles in Japan under licensed production with “a solid contribution to the local economy and technology development.”
Malaysia’s pool of bidders for the modernisation of its wheeled armoured vehicles has just welcomed a new entrant. US manufacturer Oshkosh Defense has signed a teaming agreement with Malaysian defence company Sovereign Strategic to produce Oshkosh’s Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV). If selected, Sovereign Strategic would act as prime contractor and receive unspecified technology from Oshkosh.
South Korea is allocating an additional KRW190bn (US$146m) in funding for a long-range air-launched cruise missile (ALCM) to be fitted on the KF-21 Boromae. The news comes as Indonesia’s contributions fall further behind and Korean programme leaders start pushing on export potential.
Slovakia signed a US$1.37bn deal for 152 CV90s from BAE Systems Hägglunds on 12 December under a government-to-government agreement. BAE Systems has pledged to work closely with Slovak industry to manufacture the vehicles, but Slovakia also intends to partner with the Czech Republic to guarantee a steady supply of spare parts, maintenance services, and upgrades.