After a closely watched and debated procurement process, South Africa’s state-owned arms procurement agency, Armscor, has announced Milkor SA (Pty) Ltd as the preferred bidder to supply the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) with a new fleet of armoured personnel carriers (APCs). The decision comes amid questions from some industry players and a public refutation by Armscor, which maintains the selection was the result of a fair and transparent “due process.”
A Critical Need for Modernisation
The SANDF has for years operated with an ageing fleet of vehicles for its crucial border patrol duties. South Africa’s extensive and porous borders face persistent threats from smuggling, human trafficking, and other cross-border crimes. The force has been relying on platforms like Toyota Land Cruisers and armoured vehicles dating back to the 1970s and 1980s; these vehicles are well beyond their intended service lives and are inadequate for modern operational demands.
In response, Armscor issued a tender on July 23, 2024, to acquire nearly 500 new multipurpose vehicles. These APCs are intended not only for border security under Operation Corona but also for external peacekeeping missions. The National Treasury has allocated R500 million for the 2024/2025 fiscal year to begin funding this essential acquisition. This October, Armscor revealed it has selected a preferred supplier for a fleet of armoured personnel carriers aimed at bolstering the South African National Defence Force’s border security operations.
The tender outlined a need for three distinct variants: 210 Section vehicles, 144 Command vehicles, and 108 Ambulance variants. Armscor’s preference was for commercially available, off-the-shelf platforms that could be modified to meet the specific environmental conditions and requirements of the South African Army.
The Contenders and Requirements
The technical specifications called for a robust and versatile 4×4 vehicle. Key requirements included a minimum payload of 1.5 tons, a road range of at least 600 kilometres, and a top speed over 100 km/h. Protection standards were set at a minimum of STANAG 4569 Level 1, capable of defeating 7.62×51 mm rounds. The vehicles must also be equipped with features like run-flat tyres, fire suppression systems, and a central tyre inflation system.
Seven prominent South African defence companies submitted bids. The competitive field included DCD Protected Mobility with its Springbuck series, OTT Solutions with its Puma M36, Paramount with the new Maatla APC, and SVI with its Max 3 vehicle. Automotive Investment Holdings, in partnership with Integrated Convoy Protection, offered the Reva V, while Milkor presented its 4×4 APC.
Before the formal bidding, over a dozen local companies were invited to showcase their vehicles during functional evaluations along the border and at Exercise Vuk’uhlome at the Army Combat Training Centre in Lohatlha, providing a platform for exhibition and display.
The Milkor 4×4 armoured vehicle is a type of armoured personnel carrier (APC) or armoured fighting vehicle (AFV) designed by the South African company Milkor, which is also known for producing the MGL grenade launcher. While specific details about the 4×4 model are not extensively available in the provided snippets, it is one of the many armoured vehicles produced by Milkor, a company with a long history of manufacturing defence solutions.
Controversy and Clarification
The procurement process attracted controversy following an article published by The Citizen newspaper on October 22, 2025, which suggested the tender was facing scrutiny over delays and sudden changes. The report, citing opinions from anonymous manufacturers and a defence analyst, raised questions about the integrity of the process.
Armscor issued a swift and detailed rebuttal, labelling the article’s headline “misleading and devoid of any truth.” The agency stated it was not given a reasonable opportunity to respond before publication. Armscor clarified that the process followed a pre-determined value system outlined in the Request for Bid (RFB). The agency explained that live field tests, which were a source of concern for some, were never part of the formal evaluation criteria and were subsequently cancelled to align strictly with the RFB requirements.
Furthermore, Armscor rejected claims that vehicle specifications were altered to favour a particular bidder; it stated that only clarifications regarding standards for ballistic protection were provided to all bidders. The agency also noted that the bidding deadline was extended twice at the request of potential bidders, not to delay the process. Of the 11 bids ultimately received, six were found to have complied with the critical evaluation criteria.
The Way Forward with Milkor
Following a thorough evaluation based on a 90/10 preference point system and a due diligence exercise, Milkor SA was selected. Armscor has affirmed that the company, which has a proven track record in the military environment, demonstrated the necessary technical and financial capacity to execute the contract.
The order is subject to Armscor’s General Conditions of Contract, which includes important risk-mitigating factors. A key condition is that Milkor may not proceed with any major work until the successful acceptance of the “First Article Variants” by Armscor within a specified timeframe. This ensures the initial vehicles meet every requirement before full-scale production commences. The contract also provides for performance guarantees to ensure Milkor’s technical and financial delivery remains aligned with the order’s terms.
Armscor asserted that public confidence is eroded not by its procurement projects but by “irresponsible and unconfirmed statements in the media.” The agency maintains that its process was technically sound and transparent, designed to satisfy the urgent requirements of the SANDF. With a preferred bidder now identified, the SANDF is one step closer to receiving the modern equipment it needs to secure the nation’s borders and fulfil its duties abroad.