South Africa remains a strong contender in the global uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) industry, thanks to Milkor, a private-sector defence company. Milkor has firmly established the country in the global top ten UAV producers with its groundbreaking development of the Milkor 380, a medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) UAV. The Milkor 380 is the largest UAV ever developed in South Africa, signaling a significant achievement for the country’s defence sector.
Milkor, entirely self-financed, is currently manufacturing the first batch of these UAVs. The company’s Marketing and Communications Director, Daniel du Plessis, explained that the firm recognized a growing market for UAVs and took a proactive approach. “We realized that there is a huge market for UAVs,” said Du Plessis. “We had to build a design and production team from scratch, capable of developing every component of the UAV, except the power plant.”
The company embarked on this journey in 2019 with just one employee and has since expanded to a workforce of 350, 80% of whom are engineers. The team successfully designed the Milkor 380’s airframe, avionics, communications systems, and wiring looms entirely in-house. The only components sourced externally are the payloads (such as sensors or weapons) and the engine.
One of the key innovations in the Milkor 380 is its bespoke software, which enables the seamless integration of third-party sensors. The company also developed its own ground control station and line-of-sight communication system, which operates over a range of 250 km. For extended missions, the Milkor 380 incorporates satellite communication systems, allowing for control over much longer distances.
Though the UAV operates autonomously during flight, a human pilot closely monitors its activities, and the aircraft is capable of automatic takeoff and landing. Designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), maritime and border surveillance, the Milkor 380 boasts impressive specifications: a maximum range of over 2,000 km, a 35-hour endurance, and the ability to carry 515 kg of fuel with an additional payload capacity of up to 220 kg. Its speed varies from a cruise speed of 110 km/h to 150 km/h, with a maximum speed of 250 km/h. The Milkor 380 can operate at altitudes up to 30,000 ft.
Though primarily an ISR platform, the Milkor 380 can also be armed for strike missions. However, Du Plessis cautioned that arming the UAV limits its range and endurance. Moreover, like other MALE UAVs, it is vulnerable to modern shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles, which limits its deployment in high-intensity conflict zones. However, in lower-intensity conflicts, especially across Africa, the armed version of the Milkor 380 could provide essential support for ground troops.
The Milkor 380 is already garnering international attention, especially from other African nations. It will be on display at the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2024 show, taking place at Air Force Base Waterkloof near Pretoria. Du Plessis emphasized that this UAV is designed to be a strategic asset for the country.
