The South African Air Force (SAAF) is expected to receive the first batch of operational A-Darter air-to-air missiles from Denel Dynamics by the end of this year, after years of delays and challenges.
The A-Darter is a fifth-generation infrared-guided missile that was developed jointly with Brazil under Project Assegai. It is designed to provide high agility and manoeuvrability, as well as resistance to countermeasures, for close-range air combat.
The missile project, which started in 2006, has faced several setbacks due to funding shortfalls, skills shortages, and liquidity problems at Denel Dynamics, the state-owned defence company responsible for its production.
According to Armscor, as reported by DefenceWeb, the state-owned defence acquisition agency, the original contract for the industrialisation and production of the A-Darter was signed in March 2015, with a delivery deadline of October 2017. However, the contract execution stalled for more than four years, leading to cost overruns and technical obsolescence.
In 2020, Armscor explored alternative options to revive the programme, and proposed a revised contract with Denel that involved other local defence companies to assist with the industrialisation and manufacturing of the missile. The proposal was accepted by the Air Force Command Council in September 2020, allowing the programme to be ‘unlocked.’
Armscor reported that Denel is currently executing the programme with deliverables as agreed with the SAAF. The revised contract calls for the delivery of eight practice missiles, 21 trainer missiles, and 41 operational missiles to the SAAF. The first four operational missiles are expected to be delivered in December 2021, while the final contracted operational missiles are scheduled for January 2028.
The SAAF has also received financial and technical support from the Brazilian Air Force, which is a partner in the A-Darter project. The Brazilian Air Force has already integrated the missile into its SAAB JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets, which are also operated by the SAAF. The A-Darter received an A type certification and qualification in 2019, after undergoing formal review.
The delivery of the A-Darter will enhance the SAAF’s air combat capabilities, as it currently relies on the interim IRIS-T missile, which was acquired from Germany in 2009. The SAAF does not have a beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, which limits its ability to engage in long-range engagements.
Denel, which was struggling financially, received nearly R1 billion from the Denel Medical Benefit Trust (DMBT) and R3.4 billion from Treasury recapitalization in September 2023 to secure its existing customer base and resume key programmes that were previously on hold. This is after receiving funds amounting to R3.4-billion through the Special Appropriation Act of 2022.
The A-Darter is one of the flagship programmes of Denel Dynamics, which also produces other missiles, such as the Umkhonto surface-to-air missile and the Mokopa anti-tank missile.
In October 2019, the A-Darter was issued an A type certification and qualification, after undergoing formal review. These, brings the missile development cycle to a close.