FridayOL

The global defence landscape is undergoing a radical transformation, and South Africa's industry is watching closely. The concept of 'Warfare-as-a-Service' (WaaS) – offering military capabilities on a subscription basis – is rapidly gaining traction, spearheaded by innovative companies like Vector Defense in the United States. But what does this mean for South Africa's defence capabilities, and is it a viable future for our own industry?

Vector Defense, a Utah-based startup, is aggressively pursuing this model, believing that the future of warfare lies in unmanned systems and AI-powered solutions. Their vision involves providing military units with access to a suite of capabilities – everything from drone reconnaissance to automated defence systems – without the massive upfront investment in hardware and personnel traditionally associated with military procurement. They’re banking on a shift in US policy, hoping that Congress and the Pentagon, under the current administration, will streamline the regulatory processes to facilitate the widespread adoption of Waas.

So, what exactly is Warfare-as-a-Service? Imagine a scenario where a military unit needs aerial surveillance for a specific operation. Instead of purchasing and maintaining its own fleet of drones and training pilots, they could simply 'subscribe' to a Waas provider, gaining access to the required drones and data analysis services for the duration of the mission. This approach offers significant advantages:

• Cost Savings: Reduced capital expenditure and ongoing maintenance costs.
• Flexibility: Rapid deployment of capabilities tailored to specific mission requirements.
• Technological Advancement: Access to cutting-edge technology without the need for constant upgrades.
• Reduced Personnel Burden: Less reliance on specialized military personnel for operation and maintenance.

The South African Context While South Africa doesn't currently have a company operating at Vector Defense's scale in the Waas space, the underlying trends are relevant. Our defence industry, Denel in particular, has faced significant challenges in recent years, including financial difficulties and technological stagnation. Waas could represent an opportunity to modernize our approach and attract investment. However, several factors need to be considered:

• Regulatory Hurdles: South Africa's defence procurement processes are notoriously complex and lengthy. Streamlining these processes is crucial to attracting investment and fostering innovation.
• Cybersecurity Concerns: Relying on external providers for critical military capabilities raises significant cybersecurity risks. Robust security protocols and data protection measures are essential.
• Skills Development: Transitioning to a Waas model will require investing in training and skills development in areas such as AI, robotics, and cybersecurity.
• Local Content Requirements: Balancing the benefits of Waas with the need to support local defence industry jobs and capabilities will be a key challenge.

Looking Ahead The rise of Warfare-as-a-Service is undeniable. Whether South Africa can successfully capitalize on this opportunity remains to be seen. A proactive approach, focusing on regulatory reform, cybersecurity, skills development, and strategic partnerships, will be essential to ensuring that our defence sector remains competitive in the 21st century. The potential benefits are significant – a more agile, technologically advanced, and cost-effective defence force – but the challenges are equally considerable. The question isn't *if* Waas will impact the defence industry, but *how* South Africa will adapt to this new reality.