09 Feb South Africa pushes for more drones

South Africa is increasingly pushing for drones to be used for security and border control and now Milkor has plans to introduce the largest drone ever produced in Africa: the Milkor 380.

Pretoria-based Milkor is currently testing its Milkor 380 with the SA Air Force in Cape Town. According to the company, the drone is intended to be used by the defence industry, and used for observation, reconnaissance and attacks.

It could also be used for border control, conversation efforts and the fight against poaching.

At the end of 2022 the Gauteng Treasury allocated millions of rands to help fight crime, some of which would be used to procure 10 drones. Earlier this year, Cape Town announced it would be investing millions in technology to fight crime – including drones also. In addition, the South African Police Service is adopting more drone technology, with Police Minister Bheki Cele writing in a parliamentary Q&A that they were looking to procure 166 drones across three phases.

Milkor is planning to have five drones available by the end of the year.