Milkor’s 380 drone is flying for a customer in the Middle East, but South Africa’s own defence force has yet to buy one. In this episode of The TechCentral Show, Milkor vice-president for Africa Daniel du Plessis talks to deputy editor Fanie van Rooyen about why, and about where drones, AI and autonomy are taking modern warfare.
Speaking after the Africa Aerospace and Defence expo at Air Force Base Waterkloof in September, Du Plessis explains what buyers were asking about most: drones of all sizes, data fusion and AI. He sets out where a 1.5-tonne surveillance aircraft that can fly for more than 30 hours fits in a world of cheap, expendable drones like those used in Ukraine.
He also tackles the more difficult questions: who decides who Milkor can sell to, and how do South Africa’s arms export controls work? Where does a human stay in control as drones carry guided missiles and become more autonomous? Are fears about “killer robots” overblown? And how does the 380 keep flying when GPS signals are jammed or spoofed?
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Closer to home, Du Plessis says the South African National Defence Force is severely underfunded, and that money, not interest, is what stands between the 380 and the SANDF and Border Management Authority. He warns that South Africa and the rest of the continent are not ready for cheap attack drones but says the local defence industry can respond if government acts now.
The conversation also covers Milkor’s larger 780, its new agreement with European missile maker MBDA, and why about 99% of the 380 is built in Cape Town.
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