Defence [ fr ]

A global partnership

France and South Africa share concerns on security issues and peace on the continent where both countries are important contributors. A global agreement on Defence Cooperation was signed in 1998 paving the way for a global partnership in that particular field. A biannual committee co-chaired by the Secretary for Defence and the French Chief Director of International Affairs addresses the issues of military and defence industry cooperation. An annual Defence Strategic Dialogue, alongside the Political Forum co-chaired by the Secretary General of our respective ministry for Foreign Affairs, is addressing the main issues on global Defence and Security challenges.

A multiple field cooperation

Based on mutual agreements endorsed at the Defence committee, our bilateral cooperation is covering the entire spectrum of Defence Cooperation.

Developing French language teaching inside the SANDF, with the support of Directorate for Security and Military Cooperation and the South African Department of Human Resources of the DoD in order to facilitate exchanges inside SADC as well as to support SANDF commitments in francophone Africa.

Operational cooperation mainly led by our command of the French Forces in La Réunion. France’s cooperation with South Africa is based on two main lines:

• Operational common commitment on naval cooperation: France and South Africa are neighbours in the South Indian Ocean with their respective overseas possessions, i.e. Marion and Prince Edward and Crozet islands. Therefore they have to cooperate on regional issues : piracy fighting, maritime surveillance, presence in arctic zone, protection of resources, support of forward deployed teams…
• Training: paratrooper, helicopter pilots, transport aircrew, commando hardening…
  
  Defence Industry cooperation
  
  France and South Africa are 2 major countries in that particular field and European Defence Industry is implanted in South Africa. Networking and promotion of mutual projects or developments are key points to enhance our relationship.
  
  Perspectives
  
• In April, South Africa will host the Joint Defence Commission. It will be the occasion to plan the activities and exercises for the next years;
• In May 2012, a seminar on Defence Industry, is to be held in RSA, co-organised by Armscor and the DGA;
• Several calls are planned for 2012 in Cape Town; the French frigate FLOREAL in April, the French helicopters landing dock DIXMUDE in Mai and the French OPV ADROIT in September.