# AHRLAC prepares for delivery to first customer

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2020/09/ahrlac-prepares-for-delivery-to-first-customer/
- Published: 2020-09-05T20:27:48+01:00
- Author: Patrick Kenyette

South Africa’s AHRLAC, or advanced high-performance reconnaissance light attack 
aircraft is set to begin deliveries to its launch customers, says Paramount.

Paramount’s founder and executive chairman of Paramount, Ivor Ichikowitz disclosed,
late August that it has taken orders for the AHRLAC and is preparing for deliveries.

Although, Ivor Ichikowitz did not specify who the client was, however, he explained
that a new factory in Wonderboom, near Pretoria, is fully operational to cater for
the AHRLAC’s serial production.

The Wonderboom facility have been ramped up to ensure the timely delivery of aircraft
to customers around the world. 85% of the original staff of the Aerospace Development
Corporation (ADC) have been retained the company disclosed.

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## A messy past for the AHRLAC

A 2018 messy divide between the programme’s two shareholders – Aerospace Development
Corporation (ADC) and Paramount nearly threatened the AHRLAC’s future.

![](military.africa/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/6110694_ahrlac3_jpeg20fd82083f91c7e91b350443bf10997735B15D.
jpg)

AHRLAC (Paramount Group image)

Funding shortage, forced ADC to briefly stop operations, and enter a business rescue
process under South African law.

Under an October 2019 restructuring plan, Paramount Aerospace Industries acquired
the businesses of ADC and its subsidiaries (Aerosud Innovation Centre, ADC Surveillance
and Ahrlac Pty Ltd).

The process also saw Paramount investing almost ZAR1 billion (USD57.4 million) in
its [business rescue plan.](https://www.military.africa/2020/09/ahrlac-prepares-for-delivery-to-first-customer/military.africa/2020/08/fresh-cash-rescues-ahrlac-paramount-resumes-production)

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Ivor Ichikowitz believes that the decision to restructure is the right one, stating
that it “allowed us an additional year of development work to get the aircraft right”.

Ivor described the new Wonderboom facility as one of the “most modern aircraft manufacturing
facilities in the world”, with 70% of parts made on site as part of a “vertically
integrated” model that spans “sheet metal to final assembly”.

He adds: “Although we have the capability here to meet much of the global demand
directly, our system does allow for portable assembly. We can supply the aircraft
in kit form.”

Ichikowitz says that, while the shareholder dispute was “unfortunate”, it was “inevitable
that the structure would have to change at some point”. He promises further investment
in the coming months. “Now we have absolute clarity in terms of the company’s direction,”
he says.

He maintains that with mission systems supplied by a sister business within Paramount
and the company’s experience in training and support, “we can offer customers a 
complete turnkey solution”.

![AHRLAC Mwari](military.africa/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/mwari-new-nose-content.
jpg)

AHRLAC Mwari

## AHRLAC – Multi-mission capability

AHRLAC, is able to carry weapons, radar, surveillance equipment and electronic warfare
systems. It is equipped with pods that are swappable for different roles the airplane
will be used for. The swappable modules allow it to have reconnaissance, intelligence
gathering, close air support, training, cargo and light attack capabilities.

First designed in 2014 by Aerosud Now has several variants, a militarized version
called the [Mwari](https://www.military.africa/2020/09/ahrlac-prepares-for-delivery-to-first-customer/military.africa/2020/01/why-african-countries-should-consider-buying-the-south-african-made-mwari)
is seeking international customers.

Despite its optimisation for the African continent, the Mwari is [yet to penetrate Africa’s defense market.](https://www.military.africa/2020/09/ahrlac-prepares-for-delivery-to-first-customer/military.africa/2020/01/why-african-countries-should-consider-buying-the-south-african-made-mwari?v=65d8f7baa677)

In 2018, Ivor announced during a press briefing at the Farnborough International
Airshow that the [Mwari has secured it’s first export order. ](https://www.military.africa/2020/09/ahrlac-prepares-for-delivery-to-first-customer/military.africa/2018/07/mwari-secures-first-launch-customer-rolls-off-production-line)
At that time, he declined to comment on the customer.

Another variation of the AHRLAC, called [Bronco II ](https://www.military.africa/2020/09/ahrlac-prepares-for-delivery-to-first-customer/military.africa/2018/03/bronco-ii-south-african-made-mwari-goes-to-the-us)
is being marketed to the United States special operations command Low-Intensity 
Combat Warfare (LICW) rrequirement, under the Armed Overwatch programme.

The US Special Operations Command will procure around 75 aircraft for close air 
support, precision strike and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.

Paramount is collaborating with training company Vertex Aerospace, and Leidos to
[offer the Bronco II to the US military. ](https://www.military.africa/2020/09/ahrlac-prepares-for-delivery-to-first-customer/military.africa/2020/05/bronco-ii-light-attack-aircraft-returns-for-us-special-ops-armed-overwatch-mission)
If successful, the Bronco II will be manufactured in Florida.

The Bronco II is designed to carry a single 20 mm cannon, which is internally mounted
into the fuselage. Additionally, it is fitted with either four or six hardpoints
for carrying weapons mounted under the wings, including rocket pods, unguided bombs,
and various air-to-surface and air-to-air missiles.

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