The handover ceremony took place at the SAPS Training College in Pretoria and was attended by senior police leadership, including Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia, National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola, Deputy Minister of Police, Shela Boshielo, and Deputy National Commissioner Cassel Mathale.

Nam-Binh Hoang, Managing Director of Airbus in South Africa, noted that the H125/Squirrel has been in SAPS service for a quarter of a century and the type is a major boost to both police ground forces and civilians. He said Airbus was “very proud” to contribute to the strength of the SAPS with the new H125 helicopters.

Cachalia explained that one of the helicopters will be based in Umtata and the other in Gauteng. The SAPS now has a fleet of 19 H125/AS350 Squirrel helicopters. It received two others from Airbus in September 2023, with more expected to be acquired in the future. The H125s join six Robinson R44, eight BK117, and two MD500 aircraft in the police rotary wing fleet.

Cachalia said the acquisitions of the helicopters, as well as 12 Paramount Marshall internal security vehicles also handed over on Friday, were done with Criminal Assets Recovery Account (CARA) funding and are part of an ongoing procurement process, but did not elaborate on what further equipment will be acquired.

At the moment, the police are facing “many challenges,” Cachalia said, with concern about their capabilities. “Today is not a moment for doom and gloom – it’s a good day. It demonstrates over time we can address challenges and equip the police with the resources it needs to address crime.”

“As part of our efforts to advance and intensify our crime fighting efforts, we deemed it necessary to add the two brand new H125 (ZT-REC and ZS-HGA) helicopters as well as the 12 Marshall vehicles you see here today, to our existing fleet,” Masemola said in his address.

“Resources of this kind are crucial in the fight against crime, especially serious and violent crime, hence we deemed it necessary to acquire them. The helicopters and vehicles will definitely be beneficial to our members deployed in specialised units of the SAPS like Special Task Force, Tactical Response Team, National Intervention Unit, Public Order Policing and Visible Policing. This new fleet will play a critical role in responding to organised crime incidents such as crash-in-transit heists, hijackings, armed robberies including many other serious and violent crimes. The helicopters will enable us to respond rapidly to crime scenes and serve the people of South Africa timeously and effectively.”

Segomotso Tire, Executive Manager Business Development and Industry Support at Armscor, explained that the H125 and Marshall acquisitions were done through the state-owned defence materiel agency. Armscor has been offering its services to other state-owned entities in addition to being the SA National Defence Force’s primary acquisition agency.

She said the relationship with the SAPS has been there for a few years now, but there is an intention for the police to use Armscor more regularly. “It is a symbiotic relationship we will continue to nurture.” She added that Armscor can remove the burden of carrying out acquisitions for the SAPS, and has also assisted the Border Management Authority and Department of Correctional Services in acquiring equipment.

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The vehicles, along with two new Airbus H125 (Squirrel) helicopters, were formally handed over to the SAPS on Friday morning (3 October) at the Police College in Pretoria in a ceremony attended by Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia, and National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola.

According to Paramount, the initial batch of 12 vehicles marks the first phase of a staggered delivery programme. Cachalia said the acquisitions were done with Criminal Assets Recovery Account (CARA) funding and are part of an ongoing procurement process, but did not elaborate on what further equipment will be acquired.

Derived from experience with Paramount’s Maverick internal security vehicle (used by Brazil, Ghana, Togo, and Zambia, amongst others), the Marshall was adapted to SAPS requirements and underwent extensive testing and refinement ahead of delivery.

On behalf of Paramount, the company’s Dr Mathews Phosa said the Marshall is a proudly South African product and can be maintained locally. “As Chair of Paramount South Africa I’m proud to hand this equipment to you,” he said to Cachalia and Masemola.

“This is a proud moment for South Africa. The Marshall is more than a vehicle – it is a symbol of our ability as a nation to design, engineer, and manufacture advanced solutions that directly address our country’s challenges. Working hand-in-hand with SAPS, we have created a platform that will protect our police officers, embolden their capabilities, and ultimately safeguard our communities,” said Lindiwe Tshabalala, CEO of Paramount South Africa.

“Paramount has supplied internal security solutions to many countries across Africa and globally, but it is especially meaningful to deliver this capability here at home. The Marshall demonstrates that South Africa’s defence industry remains a global leader – creating jobs, developing skills, and showcasing innovation that places our country at the forefront of security solutions worldwide,” she added.

Cachalia said the 12 armoured vehicles and two helicopters inaugurated on Friday will make an important contribution to the fight against organised crime and will help with public order policing. He said the acquisition is part of a long term effort that began in 2018, to refurbish resources necessary for policing in South Africa. “Such efforts to modernise equipment are part of efforts to improve safety and enhance the police service.”

Cachalia said that the SAPS is in the process of implementing the Farlam Commission’s recommendations (in the wake of the Marikana massacre), with public order policing being restructured accordingly. “It is important police are equipped to ensure peace and order in protest action that unfortunately in our country often turns violent.”

The Acting Police Minister touched on the issue of gang violence, especially in the Western Cape, and revealed that a gang violence plan has been finalised for the province. It will take some time to implement, but it is now in place, he said, and may be rolled out elsewhere such as the Eastern Cape.

In his speech, Masemola thanked the manufacturers for delivering the “much-needed resources” and said their acquisitions will play a critical role in enhancing the SAPS’s operational capacity and capability as well as strengthening national security. “It will enable us to improve our service delivery and increase efficiency in fulfilling our Constitutional mandate of preventing, combating, and investigating crime just to name but a few.”

The Commissioner aid the new resources will help the SAPS respond to crime scenes and also play a critical role in putting the SAPS at an advantage position in the execution of Operation Shanela II crime fighting activities. Operation Shanela II, which is a weekly nationwide operation targeting serious and violent crimes in hotspots across the country through raids, roadblocks, and stop and search among others, has been producing “good results” since its launch. “Just this week we arrested more than seventeen thousand suspects —17 247 to be exact — for various offences ranging from illegal possession of firearms, ammunition and substances, among others. This is the results of the work of the men and women in blue across the country,” Masemola said.

The Marshall vehicle provides ballistic and blast protection to STANAG 4569 Level 1, with a monocoque hull and “smart floor” technology enabling rapid reconfiguration for missions ranging from riot control and tactical response to high-risk prisoner transport. With a kerb weight of 12 500 kg, a payload of 2 500 kg, and the ability to transport eight personnel at speeds up to 110 km/h, the vehicle also integrates a 360-degree camera system, public address system, advanced sensor and vision technology.

“Beyond supporting SAPS, the Marshall underscores South Africa’s position as a global exporter of advanced defence technologies, proven by Paramount’s track record of supplying armoured solutions to police and military forces to more than 20 countries around the world,” Tshabalala said. “Paramount has long been committed to building sovereign defence capacity, ensuring that the design, engineering, and assembly of these advanced vehicles directly benefits the local economy.”

Paramount’s long history of supplying comprehensive internal security solutions to many countries across Africa spans internal security armoured vehicles, aerial solutions for police air wings, pilot training, unmanned aerial vehicles, reconnaissance and surveillance systems, as well as a wide range of protective gear for police forces.

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The Airbus Group, one of the world’s largest aerospace companies, operates across three primary divisions: Commercial Aircraft, Defence and Space, and Helicopters. The commercial aircraft sector is renowned for models such as the A320, A350 and the giant A380, whilst the Defence and Space division delivers military aircraft like the C295 and Eurofighter, as well as satellite systems for communication and Earth observation.

However, it is the Helicopters division that is taking centre stage in Southern Africa.

Airbus Southern Africa, headquartered at Grand Central Airport in Midrand, Johannesburg, has been a pivotal hub for supporting helicopter operations across the continent for the past 30 years. With a workforce of over 80 people, the facility provides vital services to more than 60 operators managing a fleet of over 300 helicopters in Africa. Airbus Southern Africa’s capabilities extend far beyond just selling helicopters; it provides maintenance, pilot and technician training, spare parts, and a range of technical services, ensuring operators can keep their fleets in the air rather than on the ground.

Speaking at the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) exhibition in Pretoria this week, Hoang highlighted the significance of two Airbus helicopter models: the H125 and the H145. The H125, which Hoang calls “the Workhorse of Africa,” has achieved over 50 million flight hours globally and is highly regarded for its power and reliability, particularly in Africa’s challenging ‘hot and high’ environments. Its versatility has made it the top choice for law enforcement, firefighting, and commercial aviation operations across the continent. The H145, meanwhile, is a twin-engine light helicopter that has found favour in both civilian and military sectors and has achieved over 7 million flight hours. The military version, the H145M, is showcased in the static area at AAD 2024, underscoring its capabilities in critical missions.

One of the facility’s most recent and exciting developments is the installation of a state-of-the-art H125 helicopter simulator, the first of its kind in Africa. This flight simulator, located at the Midrand facility, offers training to pilots, particularly in emergency procedures and special operations such as aerial work. Hoang noted that the simulator will soon be certified by the South African Civil Aviation Authority, marking a major milestone in Airbus’s commitment to enhancing pilot skills across the region. The simulator allows operators to train locally in South Africa, reducing the need for costly and time-consuming overseas travel.

Airbus Southern Africa’s close collaboration with State owned Denel has been vital to supporting the South African Air Force (SAAF). The partnership focuses on maintaining and improving the serviceability of the Oryx helicopter fleet, crucial for troop deployments and protection missions. Recent improvements in fleet serviceability, particularly during South African National Defence Force (SANDF) deployments, reflect the combined efforts of Denel and Airbus.

“We are proud to partner with Denel in maintaining the SAAF Oryx fleet. Our collaboration has significantly contributed to the improved serviceability of the fleet, which plays a critical role in supporting troops on the ground,” Hoang said.

In a significant boost to law enforcement capabilities, the South African Police Service (SAPS) is acquiring 12 H125 helicopters under a framework contract. To date, five helicopters have been ordered, with three delivered last year and two more expected by the end of 2024. These helicopters, renowned for their performance in Africa’s demanding environments, are deployed not only for law enforcement but also for various public safety missions, including search and rescue. The H125 is also in service with police forces in Namibia and Botswana, indicating its position as a helicopter of choice for law enforcement agencies across the region.

In addition to helicopter operations, Airbus’s commercial aircraft division is also expanding its presence in South Africa, with a focus on promoting aviation safety and upskilling local airline staff.

Airbus Southern Africa is dedicated to the region’s growth. Hoang said of the company: “We are here to stay, and we are proud of the impact we have made over the last 30 years. Our continued investment is proof of our belief in Africa’s future.”

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