The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has taken a substantial step toward modernising its long-range strike capabilities following the successful integration of the 155 mm Assegai ammunition suite with its primary artillery assets. Rheinmetall Denel Munition (RDM) conducted a series of Fire Control Interface (FCI) verification firings between 3 and 6 November 2025 at the Alkantpan test range in the Northern Cape. These trials confirmed that the latest generation of Assegai projectiles is fully compatible with the 45-calibre G5 towed howitzers and G6 self-propelled howitzers currently in service.
This technical achievement is the result of a coordinated effort involving the South African Army, the Logistics Support Formation, Denel Landward Systems, Armscor, and RDM. By validating the ammunition to weapon interface, the partnership ensures that South Africa’s artillery corps remains compatible with evolving international standards while extending the operational life of its existing platforms.
The verification program covered several distinct variants of the Assegai family, each designed to meet specific ballistic and terminal effects requirements. The validated rounds include the M1712 Insensitive High Explosive (IHE) with a boat-tail (BT) assembly, the M1711 IHE with a base-bleed (BB) module, and the M2000 standard High Explosive (HE) projectile. Additionally, the trials verified the M1 Extended Range Full Bore (ERFB) nubbed variant, which is already a staple in the SANDF inventory.
These projectiles are designed according to the principles of the Joint Ballistic Memorandum of Understanding (JBMoU). This international agreement standardises the ballistic characteristics of 155 mm ammunition to ensure interoperability across various NATO and non-NATO weapon systems. Because the Assegai family adheres to these standards, it can be utilised not only by the 45-calibre G5 and G6 but also by 39-calibre and 52-calibre systems like the Panzerhaubitze 2000 (PzH 2000).
Lethality and Fragmentation Performance
A notable benefit of the Assegai suite over legacy systems is the increase in terminal effectiveness. The Assegai projectiles provide a lethal area of 152 square meters, generating up to 11,300 natural fragments upon detonation. This fragmentation density provides a more consistent effect against both personnel and light-skinned vehicles compared to the older M1 ERFB shells.
The integration of the M1711 and M1712 variants also introduces Insensitive Munition (IM) characteristics to the SANDF. IM refers to explosives and propellants designed to withstand external shocks, such as heat from fires or impacts from fragments, without detonating. This feature improves the safety of own forces during transport, storage, and handling on the battlefield; it reduces the risk of sympathetic detonations in the event of an enemy strike on an ammunition carrier or gun position.
Range and Propulsion Capabilities
The G5 and G6 howitzers utilise 45-calibre barrels that are optimised for ERFB projectiles. During the Alkantpan trials, the use of M64 and M67 propelling charges demonstrated full operational compatibility. When fired from these 45-calibre barrels, a standard boat-tail projectile achieves a maximum range of approximately 31 kilometres. Switching to a base-bleed module, which bleeds gas into the low-pressure wake behind the shell to reduce aeronautical drag, extends this range to 41 kilometres.
For comparison, when these same projectiles are paired with 52-calibre barrels, such as those found on the Denel T5-52 truck-mounted howitzer, the range can exceed 40 kilometres for base-bleed rounds. Advanced variants like the Velocity-enhanced Long-range Artillery Projectile (V-LAP) have even pushed these boundaries further; a 2019 test achieved a record distance of 76 kilometres. The recent integration with the G5 and G6 platforms demonstrates that the 45-calibre systems can still field world-class munitions that bridge the gap toward these higher-performance systems.
Technical maturity was a focal point of the RDM statement, which noted that the Assegai family is already qualified and in service with multiple nations. This international success was further demonstrated in mid-2025 when a European NATO member signed a record-breaking contract with RDM for these same projectiles and modular charges.
The modular charge system utilised in these trials offers clear logistical benefits. These charges are fine-tuned to the specific weapon and shell combination, simplifying the supply chain by replacing traditional bagged charges with uniform modules. This design also facilitates easier handling in the cramped confines of self-propelled artillery turrets. Furthermore, the charges are engineered to reduce barrel wear and muzzle flash. Lowering the flash signature makes the artillery system harder for enemy sensors to detect, while reduced wear extends the lifespan of the gun barrels, lowering the total cost of ownership for the SANDF.
The successful verification firings at Alkantpan demonstrate RDM’s commitment to supporting the SANDF during its transition to enhanced primary mission equipment. This project shows that the military can achieve modern performance levels without the immediate necessity of procuring entirely new artillery platforms. Instead, by upgrading the “software” of the system—the ammunition and fire control interfaces—the Army can maintain a credible long-range deterrent.
The partnership between RDM and Denel continues to be a cornerstone of South African defence industry recovery. As the SANDF validates these range tables and moves toward operational trials, the groundwork is laid for further capability growth. This includes potential future integration of precision-guided munitions or rocket-assisted projectiles that can capitalise on the digital data transfer and autonomous navigation systems found in the modernised G6-52 and T5-52 variants. The success in the Northern Cape serves as a starting point for ensuring the artillery corps is equipped to face contemporary operational demands.