About Us – Armscor – Armaments Corporation of South Africa SOC Ltd

Built on Integrity. Committed to Security

Learn about Armscor

THE GATEWAY TO THE SOUTH AFRICAN DEFENCE INDUSTRY

Our Mandate

The Armaments Corporation of South Africa (Armscor) is mandated to provide cutting-edge defence acquisition, logistics and research support to the SANDF. Our business extends to organs of state and the broader African continent through regional partnerships and multilateral cooperation.

We are a strategic enabler of national security, connecting the dots between innovation, integrity and operational excellence through complex acquisitions and advanced scientific research and development.

From strategic procurement to advanced defence research and development, Armscor delivers world-class solutions that uphold the integrity and operational readiness of South Africa’s defence systems. Supporting the broader African continent through regional partnerships and multilateral cooperation.

Our Mission.

Armscor’s mission is to meet the defence matériel technology requirements of the DOD, organs of state and other entities and management of strategic capabilities of the DOD.

We strive everyday to execute

Our Vision

Innovation

We drive innovation, efficiency and enhanced defence capabilities while ensuring prudent financial management.

Responsibility

We are responsible to the clients – understanding their mission and delivering acquisition and procurement accordingly.

Industry Leader

We are a leader in research and innovation with a catalogue of premium dual use (security and civil) solutions.

Exceptional Team

We are an employer of choice.

Sustainability

We are a sustainable business with improved self-reliance.

Partnerships

We have strategic partnerships – local and international, both public and private, expanding our international client base.

the team members

Get to Know the People Behind our Company.

Board of Directors

Executive Committee

We live our values every day.

Our Values

Customer Focus

Our customers are the reason for our existence, and we therefore always endeavour to delight them by exceeding expectations.

Care and Respect

We foster diversity, value our people and their contributions and treat them equitably, fairly and with dignity, care and respect.

Leading by Example

We lead by example and are role models for excellence.

Integrity and Teamwork

We take joint responsibility through teamwork. We adhere to the highest standards of conduct and moral behaviour and maintain the highest level of ethics in all our actions.

Results-Driven

We go that extra mile to achieve results timeously.

Excellence

We strive for excellence in all we do.

Our Journey

1940s

Wartime Foundations

⚓️ World War II (1939–1945): South Africa establishes several factories for producing arms and ammunition to support Allied war efforts.
⚓️ Post-War Era: These defence production capabilities are retained and developed incrementally, laying the groundwork for a local arms industry.

1950s–1960s

Defence Industrial Growth

⚓️ South Africa begins formalising structures for research, development and production of armaments.
⚓️ The Armaments Board is established to manage the procurement of defence equipment for the military.
⚓️ The Armaments Development Corporation (ARMSCOR DevCorp) is later formed to focus on local research and development of defence technologies.

1975

Corporate Identity

⚓️ 9 October 1975: The Armaments Board approves the use of its own logo for branding purposes.
⚓️ Blue symbolises steel and precision
⚓️ Gold represents the richness of South Africa’s soil and resources
⚓️ The shield stands for protection; the arrow for vigour.

1976

Birth of Armscor

⚓️ 11 August 1976: The Armaments Corporation of South Africa Ltd (Armscor) is formally established through the amalgamation of:
🔹 The Armaments Board
🔹 The Armaments Development Corporation
⚓️ The goal: unify procurement, development and industrialisation of defence systems under one state-owned body.

Late 1970s

Localisation

⚓️ In response to growing international arms embargoes (e.g., 1977 UN embargo), Armscor shifts focus from importing to developing and producing arms locally.
⚓️ South Africa begins indigenous development of tanks, missiles, small arms and naval technologies.

1980s

Export Expansion

⚓️ Armscor begins exporting defence products to foreign markets to offset costs and scale production.
⚓️ The organisation earns a reputation for “combat proven reliability” and develops unique, climate-appropriate solutions for African conditions.
⚓️ Armscor’s role strengthens as both acquisition agency and trade facilitator for South Africa’s defence industry.

1992

Restructuring Begins

⚓️ April 1992: Armscor’s manufacturing capabilities are spun off into a new entity – Denel (Pty) Ltd, a state-owned company.
⚓️ Armscor retains its core responsibilities:
🔹 Acquisition management for the South African National Defence Force (SANDF)
🔹 Foreign trade facilitation
🔹 Defence-related research oversight
🔹 Disposal of surplus military equipment

1994

Democratic Transition

⚓️ With the end of apartheid and the lifting of sanctions, Armscor prepares for a new mandate aligned to transparency, international standards and democratic governance.

1995–1996

Peace-Focused Mandate

⚓️ International Commitments: South Africa joins the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). A new Defence White Paper signals a shift from threat-based defence to regional peacekeeping.
⚓️ Armscor aligns its acquisition and R&D focus to support peace-support operations in Africa.

1997–1998

Building the Future

⚓️ Armscor is fined in a U.S. court for past arms embargo violations.
⚓️ Rooivalk Attack Helicopter is delivered, showcasing South Africa’s indigenous aerospace capability.
⚓️ The 1998 Defence Review lays out a long-term vision for re-equipping the SANDF.

1999

Strategic Defence

⚓️ Armscor signs landmark contracts to acquire:
🔹Gripen fighter jets
🔹Hawk trainers
🔹Valour-class frigates
🔹Type 209 submarines
🔹Agusta A109 helicopters

2000–2005

Modernisation Delivered

⚓️ Project implementation begins:
⚓️ First frigate (SAS Amatola) delivered (2004)
⚓️ First submarine (SAS Manthatisi) commissioned (2005)
⚓️ Umkhonto SAM successfully tested, boosting local missile credibility.
⚓️ Armscor shifts focus to long-term maintenance and lifecycle support.

2006–2008

Joint Development

⚓️ A-Darter missile program launched with Brazil.
⚓️ Gripens and Hawks delivered, modernising the SAAF.
⚓️ Final submarines and corvettes commissioned, completing Project Sitron and Project Wills

2009–2013

Re-alignment & Combat

⚓️ A400M airlift program cancelled due to cost overruns.
⚓️ Armscor supports Rooivalk deployment in the DRC under UN command.
⚓️ Domestic acquisition focus shifts to modernising landward equipment (e.g., Badger IFV).

2014–2016

Investment and Upgrades

⚓️ Hydrographic survey vessel ordered (Project Hotel).
⚓️ Denel regains control of land vehicle production (LSSA).
⚓️ Upgrades begin for the Olifant MBT, Rooivalk Mk1.1, and the G5 artillery system.
⚓️ The 2015 Defence Review outlining the current strategic framework for modernising and re-equipping the SANDF.

2017–2019

Patrol Fleet

⚓️ Armscor signs contracts for:
🔹 3 Multi-Mission Inshore Patrol Vessels (MMIPVs) (Project Biro)
🔹 1 Hydrographic vessel (Project Hotel)
⚓️ Delivers major turret and missile export package to Malaysia.
⚓️ Lays groundwork for coastal security renewal.

2020–2021

Pandemic Pivot

⚓️ COVID-19 delays shipbuilding; Armscor supports SANDF with logistics and health infrastructure.
⚓️ Refit of SAS Charlotte Maxeke submarine begins.
⚓️ New R&D systems: C4ISR, UAVs, and electronics modernisation for the SAAF.

2022

First in a Generation

⚓️ Delivery of SAS King Sekhukhune I, the first MMIPV.
⚓️ Tactical UAV systems handed to the Army.
⚓️ Soldier modernisation and new rifles initiated under Project Sapula.

2023

Operational Readiness

⚓️ SAS King Shaka Zulu delivered (second MMIPV).
⚓️ Mamba Mk7 and Trojan patrol vehicles fielded for border protection.
⚓️ Local electronic warfare and loitering munition prototypes unveiled.

2024

Leadership & Innovation

⚓️ Refits begin on Valour-class frigates and continue for submarines.
⚓️ Strategy shift: commercialisation of research facilities and AI exploration.

2025

Mission-Focused

⚓️ March 2025: Sniper rifles handed to SA Army (Project Tedu).
⚓️ April 2025: Third MMIPV – SAS Adam Kok III – delivered and commissioned.

Collaborates with 15+ defence partners.

More than 7 sites for testing and innovation.

Trained graduates
annually.

Armscor – Armaments Corporation of South Africa SOC Ltd Gateway to defence solutions.