One such alternative has been the use of drone surveillance by the Border Management Authority (BMA). Drones have demonstrated promising results in monitoring remote and inaccessible regions, providing real-time intelligence and enhancing situational awareness. However, the current level of drone deployment remains limited due to funding constraints. The Department of Home Affairs has acknowledged the need for expanded investment in surveillance technology and has submitted a business case to the National Treasury to secure the necessary resources.

The integrity of a country’s landward borders is essential to preserving its sovereignty, public safety, and economic security. Preventing infiltration is a cornerstone of this objective. In South Africa, this imperative is challenged by long, porous borders, limited physical barriers, and constrained manpower. This context demands more than conventional methods, necessitating the adoption of advanced surveillance technologies to support border protection agencies.

To address these challenges effectively, South Africa should pursue a co-ordinated, multi-technology approach to border security, following the “wall of sensors” appraoch. A compelling model for such a strategy is the Meerkat Wide Area Surveillance System (WASS), developed by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Originally created to combat rhino poaching in Kruger National Park, Meerkat integrates ground surveillance radar and electro-optical sensors capable of detecting and classifying movement across wide areas. It provides geo-referenced real-time data to command centres, enabling swift, targeted responses. Proven to operate effectively under harsh environmental conditions, Meerkat has significantly contributed to wildlife protection, demonstrating its potential for broader security roles.

Building on this success, the CSIR developed the Ground-based Surveillance and Classification Radar (GSCR), which includes electronically steered antennas for greater sensitivity and artificial intelligence to automate the classification of objects. This system reduces reliance on human operators, allowing for continuous wide-area monitoring and quicker decision-making.

Complementing this is the RSR 903 Ground Surveillance Radar by Reutech Radar Systems, a locally developed solution tailored for persistent, all-weather ground surveillance. The RSR 903 is designed to detect, track, and classify targets over long ranges, making it well suited for both border protection and conservation efforts. It provides the force multiplication required by security agencies to compensate for limited personnel.

Reutech also offers the PIMS X300 Mobile Sensor Station, a rapidly deployable trailer-mounted platform that integrates radar (like the RSR 903), cameras, communications, and power systems into a single mobile unit. It is particularly valuable in areas where fixed infrastructure is lacking or when dynamic threats require flexible surveillance capability.

A Unified Border Surveillance Network: Case Study

An effective border security network can be built on the joint application of Meerkat WASS, GSCR, Reutech’s RSR 903 radar, and the PIMS X300. Together, these systems would form a layered, adaptable surveillance grid:

1. Strategic Coverage
   GSCR and RSR 903 radars would be installed in high-risk border areas for round-the-clock surveillance. Mobile PIMS X300 units would provide support in evolving threat zones or areas without permanent infrastructure.
2. Automated Threat Detection
   Artificial intelligence in GSCR systems enables automatic classification of radar detections, distinguishing humans from animals without operator input. This reduces false positives and streamlines incident response.
3. Visual Confirmation
   Electro-optical sensors such as the CSIR-developed Rino and Tyto systems would provide high-resolution imagery under various lighting and environmental conditions, enabling precise visual verification of radar detections.
4. Aerial Support
   Drones, ideally long endurance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) would complement ground systems by investigating alerts and extending operational reach, especially in areas inaccessible by foot or vehicle.
5. Integrated Command and Control
   A centralised system would consolidate data from all components into a geo-referenced interface, allowing security teams to coordinate efficiently and respond rapidly to any incursions.
6. Local Development and Scalability
   These systems are developed or supported domestically, ensuring suitability to local conditions and infrastructure. Their modular design makes them scalable, allowing phased implementation aligned with available resources and national priorities.

South Africa’s current border protection strategy, reliant on limited manpower and ineffective physical barriers, requires urgent transformation. By adopting an integrated network of modern surveillance technologies, anchored by domestically produced technology, the country can build a resilient, intelligence-led border security framework. These proven, locally developed solutions offer the precision, flexibility, and efficiency needed to manage the complex challenges of border control. With the necessary investment and coordination, South Africa can establish a secure, modern border environment that protects national interests and upholds the integrity of its territorial boundaries.

The post Modernising Border Security in South Africa through Integrated Surveillance Technologies appeared first on ProtectionWeb.

This was detailed by Sparcx Managing Director Sujo Mulamattathil, who was speaking at the Aerospace Industry Support Initiative (AISI) Industry Day hosted by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) on 29 November.

The RTC system is currently being developed for a defence customer, although it could also be used in public safety. Mulamattathil said RTC systems often struggle to accurately classify targets due to several challenges such as clutter, noise, multiple targets and rapidly changing environments. This lack of precision impacts safety and accuracy.

Consequently, Sparcx is building an AI-based system to identify targets faster and more accurately, and is making use of expertise at the CSIR and Reutech Radar Systems to do this – funding for the project is being provided by Sparcx, the AISI/Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, and Reutech Radar Systems.

Mulamattathil said the next phase of development is size, weight and power optimisation, industrialisation, manufacturing, marketing and sales. The company’s business model is to sell its RTC system hardware with radars manufactured by companies like Reutech.

He added that a combination of radar and camera technologies to identify and better classify targets is being integrated. Use cases include farm security, wildlife monitoring, border security etc. as the system is able to tell the difference between a vehicle and, say, an animal or a human being.

Sparcx is a wholly black military veteran owned and managed electronic engineering company focussing on the aerospace, defence, and public safety sectors. It is developing several technologies, some in collaboration with the CSIR, to serve the African market.

For example, Mulamattathil explained that this year Sparcx has been developing an artificial intelligence (AI)-based automatic speech recognition system for an aerospace customer to reduce incursions/accidents at airports. Other projects include implementing less lethal devices for a law enforcement agency, and industrialising AI-based smart water network sensors to reduce leakage losses for municipalities and water boards (up to 60% of municipal water is lost countrywide due to leaks).

In 2024 Sparcx was chosen as the sole South African representative in a cohort of 10 businesses from Africa in Qualcomm’s “Make in Africa 2024” start-up incubation programme. It was selected on the basis of its RTC system.

Since its inception in 2015, Sparcx has developed a number of different technologies, such as a radio frequency measurement system for the government, and an AI-driven runway occupancy alerting system.

The post Sparcx developing AI-based radar target classification system appeared first on ProtectionWeb.

It is common cause that drones in all sorts of configurations play a key role in the commercial, security and defence spheres. Given the threat that enemy drones pose, the world’s militaries have developed technologies to counter these threats.

Stellenbosch-based Reutech Radar Systems (RRS) counts its latest RSR 610 Drone Acquisition Radar system amongst these technologies.

According to Anthony Green, systems and solutions specialist, the RSR 610 is a fixed-panel non-rotating surveillance radar for application against drones, ground targets, and small fast-moving water-borne targets.

“As an air surveillance radar it is effective against incoming drones and very low observable asymmetric threats, such as small boats and even humans, as well as conventional aircraft, and to designate such targets to a fire control system, which is then able to neutralise them.”

He explained that the RSR 610 comprises four panels giving all-round 360° coverage, yet has no moving parts.

“All the electronics are contained within each radar panel,” Green said. “It has variable detection ranges, offering sufficient reaction time for hard-kill and soft-kill solutions like directional jammers. Importantly, it was engineered for low probability of false alarms, even suppressing wind-blown vegetation clutter.”

While it boasts easy integration with fire control radar, the RSR 610 has a low probability of intercept thanks to the radar’s low transmitted power.

RRS has built an enviable range of other ground-based and naval radars for surveillance, tracking and fire control application.

“Our RSR 906 system can be deployed against ground targets such as vehicles and dismounted troops, as well as aerial targets and in coastal surveillance against sea surface vessels,” he said. “As an air surveillance radar, it can also designate targets, such as aircraft and drones, to a fire control system.”

This surveillance radar provides target designation to the lightweight and compact fire control RTS 3200, which in turn outputs high data rate tracking to weapon systems, such as guns or missiles.

“We developed the RSR-150 3D radar sensor for the protection of land vehicles, as it can rapidly acquire and track multiple incoming projectiles, such as rocket-propelled grenades,” Green concluded. “It can also detect and track enemy sniper fire, which is a significant threat in asymmetric warfare.”

The post Reutech radar can help beat the threat of drones appeared first on ProtectionWeb.