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11 Aug 14. BAE Systems announces an agreement for the proposed sale of its holding in BAE Systems Land Systems South Africa Proprietary Limited (LSSA) to Denel (SOC) Limited. The transaction, for a total cash consideration of approximately 855m Rand, subject to closing adjustments, includes the sale by BAE Systems of its 75% interest in the LSSA business, as well as the sale by DGD Technologies (2001) Proprietary Limited of its 25% stake in the business. Erwin Bieber, President of BAE Systems, Inc.’s Platforms & Services sector said: “This proposed divestiture will further focus our portfolio on our core capabilities and strong franchise positions in tracked, combat and amphibious vehicles and weapon systems.”
LSSA is a South African company jointly owned by BAE Systems (75%) and DGD Technologies (2001) Proprietary Limited (25%). The business employs approximately 500 people and specialises in the design and manufacture of military tactical-wheeled vehicles, mechanical driveline products, precision-machined components and gears, fire directing systems, and remote weapon launching platforms, subsystems and products. The proposed divestiture of LSSA is conditional upon receiving certain regulatory and other approvals. It is anticipated that the proposed sale transaction will close during the fourth quarter of 2014.
08 Aug 14. Earlier this week, Deputy Minister of Defense and Military Veterans, Kebby Maphatsoe received vehicles from his Japanese counterpart, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Defense Minoru Kihara.
The vehicles are to be utilized at the South African National Peace Mission Training Centre (PMTC). The centre is funded by the Japanese Government through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Walid Badawi, Country Director of UNDP South Africa and other senior SANDF officials were amongst the guests attending the ceremony to witness the vehicles being officially handed over to the South African National Defence Force at the PMTC facility in Thaba Tshwane near Pretoria. In his address, Vice-Minister Kihara reiterated the significance of South African contributions to the peace missions across the continent. A media statement issued by Japanese Embassy explained that the PMTC was established in Pretoria in 2007 to provide necessary education and training to military, police and other civilian personnel in fulfilling their activities in peace missions abroad. Japan, in collaboration with the UNDP, has so far contributed US$1m to the PMTC for facility upgrades and vehicles, as well as the dispatch of a lecturer from the Japanese Self-Defense Force to one of the centre’s training courses, the statement added. (Source: African Armed Forces)
12 Aug 14. Kurganmashzavod hands over upgraded BMD-4M vehicles to Russian Army. Kurganmashzavod has handed over a batch of the upgraded BMD-4M infantry fighting vehicle prototypes to the Russian Army, as part of its rearmament programme. Comprising eight BMD-4M vehicles, the batch was delivered to the Russian Army’s 106th Guards Airborne Assault Division, and will continue to undergo testing, the Russia and India Report reported. Designed to replace the ageing BMD-3 vehicle, BMD-4M IFV is an upgraded variant of the BMD-4 airborne combat vehicle, and is expected to provide improved protection and support for airborne troops. The vehicle features more powerful weaponry and increased ammunition reserves, unlike its predecessors, and can be launched from an aircraft and rapidly transit to its allotted targets at a speed of up to 70km/h. The fourth-generation vehicle can traverse water obstacles without any special preparation and travel at a speed of 10km/h while ashore. BMD-4M chief designer Sergey Salnikov said the strike radius has increased to 7km with the addition of a new 100mm artillery gun that