[Satellite News 11-11-08] South Africa is looking to develop its military satellite communications capabilities. The country has long used commercial capacity for its military satellite communication needs. However, with bandwidth demands going up, the country, which has a population of around 50 million people, could team up with other countries in the region to have a more dedicated military satellite system.In an exclusive interview with Satellite News, Brigadier General Ian Fordred, Director of the Information Communication Technology (DICT) in the Command and Management Information Systems Division (CMIS), South African National Defence Force (SANDF), talks about the challenges facing South Africa as it looks to secure more satellite capacity for its military needs.
Satellite News: What role have satellites played in recent years for the South African military?
Fordred: I think in peacekeeping missions outside of South Africa, we have become very reliant on satellite communications because of the reliability of the links we have established. The ease and maintenance of the links and the fact we have sufficient bandwidth, means we can provide voice, video and data communications where traditionally we would have an HF-link with narrow bandwidth where you could provide voice and a small data throughput. Our end users have actually become spoiled. They have got the same information and communication system facilities they have in their offices in the field. They can be sitting in the DRC and accessing our mainframe in South Africa. They can access for example financial records, logistic records, medical records, etc.
We have also participated in ‘Combined Endeavour’ exercises over the last couple of years. What I found interesting is that a number of first world countries saw South Africa as behind in a lot of its development. This is a misperception. A lot of people were amazed at that. South Africa and one or two other countries are taking the lead in bringing advanced communications to Africa.
We have also participated in ‘Combined Endeavour’ exercises over the last couple of years. What I found interesting is that a number of first world countries saw South Africa as behind in a lot of its development. This is a misperception. A lot of people were amazed at that. South Africa and one or two other countries are taking the lead in bringing advanced communications to Africa.
Satellite News: What are the major challenges facing South Africa in terms of developing its MilSatCom capabilities?
Fordred: In the early 1990s, we decided to go down the C-band route to support our military operations in Africa, specifically, our peacekeeping missions in the DRC, Burundi and Sudan because the C-Band gave us the biggest footprint over Africa. We have acquired certain C-band terminals and we built our own hub north of Pretoria to provide us with the necessary communications, which includes voice, data and video to our deployed forces.
The biggest challenge was not having access to military satellites, but utilizing commercial capacity. We were forced to look at commercial satellites. We had to negotiate with the commercial satellite providers, and we negotiated for use of PAS-4 with PanAmSat. We acquired a certain amount of bandwidth to provide the necessary communications. This has proved more cost-effect at the end of the day.
The biggest challenge was not having access to military satellites, but utilizing commercial capacity. We were forced to look at commercial satellites. We had to negotiate with the commercial satellite providers, and we negotiated for use of PAS-4 with PanAmSat. We acquired a certain amount of bandwidth to provide the necessary communications. This has proved more cost-effect at the end of the day.
Satellite News: What are the advantages and disadvantages of this approach?
Fordred: The obvious advantage of using commercial capacity is that it is probably more cost-effective. However, we are also investigating the use of X-band capacity. In fact, there are two European countries specifically offering us X-band capacity on their constellation of satellites. We have been approached by those two countries and are investigating the utilization of these options in future. We are looking at X-Band, but obviously the terminals there would be very expensive.
The other advantage of using commercial capacity is having access to terminals and the repair and maintenance of the satellites, as well as the hub. Some of the disadvantages we have in our National Defence Force is the availability of skilled military personnel to maintain and operate these systems. A lot of our technicians have left the National Defence Force to pursue careers in the commercial environment, so we are quite heavily reliant on our civilian contractors to assist in the maintenance of our satellite systems. At any time, commercial satellites can turn off our bandwidth on their transponder. We are part of peacekeeping missions and we will not use commercial transponders for military purposes.
The other advantage of using commercial capacity is having access to terminals and the repair and maintenance of the satellites, as well as the hub. Some of the disadvantages we have in our National Defence Force is the availability of skilled military personnel to maintain and operate these systems. A lot of our technicians have left the National Defence Force to pursue careers in the commercial environment, so we are quite heavily reliant on our civilian contractors to assist in the maintenance of our satellite systems. At any time, commercial satellites can turn off our bandwidth on their transponder. We are part of peacekeeping missions and we will not use commercial transponders for military purposes.
Satellite News: Are there security issues using commercial satellites?
Fordred: Yes. From a security perspective, we have end-to-end encryption. So, it does not really matter whether we are using commercial or military transponders. We have got an encryption house in South Africa, which has developed our encryption systems.
Satellite News: Do you think there will ever be a point where you invest in your military system the way we have seen in Europe?
Fordred: Yes, definitely. I think a time will come soon when we will have to look at having a military transponder to provide, not only South Africa that capability, but looking at the region, the SADC region, as well as the rest of Africa. There is an initiative from our Department of Science and Technology, which means we are looking at co-operation with other African Nations and getting access to a dedicated satellite to provide communications into Africa.
Satellite News: How long will it be until you have access to dedicated military space assets?
Fordred: I would say we are 2-5 years away. We are obviously under a lot of pressure with the 2010 Soccer World Cup coming up taking place in South Africa. We need to ensure the security of the games. We are there to support the South African Police. We need to have sufficient communications in place. We are also looking at installing a Ku hub north of Pretoria, as well as an additional C-band hub in South Africa, specifically for the internal needs of South Africa and border control.
Satellite News: What levels of investment has the government made in satellite-based capabilities?
Fordred: The Department of Science and Technology has a big initiative on the go now, where they are moving ahead with satellite development and acquisition. They are planning to launch an experimental satellite, which will provide certain imagery requirements to South Africa. The requirements for a communications component on this satellite are in the process of being determined.
Satellite News: In terms of building your own military capability, would you do something similar to what the U.K. has done and use a PFI, service based approach?
Fordred: It is actually a government imperative in South Africa that we pursue public private partnerships where we do have co-operation with the commercial environment. For example, we can outsource certain components of our telecoms infrastructure for them to maintain and provide those services.
I know that strategic communications within the U.K. is managed and provided by BT. The U.K. forces then concentrate on the deployable component, so we will be concentrating on that. In fact, we have a big project now ‘Project Billet’ which is the replacement and upgrade of our strategic and mobile telecoms infrastructure, and as part of that, we are looking at satellite communications, fixed line communications, microwave and also the possibility of outsourcing responsibilities to the commercial environment.
I know that strategic communications within the U.K. is managed and provided by BT. The U.K. forces then concentrate on the deployable component, so we will be concentrating on that. In fact, we have a big project now ‘Project Billet’ which is the replacement and upgrade of our strategic and mobile telecoms infrastructure, and as part of that, we are looking at satellite communications, fixed line communications, microwave and also the possibility of outsourcing responsibilities to the commercial environment.
Satellite News: We have seen countries like France and Italy cooperate in terms of military assets. Could we se something similar in Africa?
Fordred: I think we will not go it alone in terms of a military satellite. One of the constraints I see is obviously financial. The fact is that South Africa is part of the SADC group of countries and the African Union (AU), so we have to provide support to the region. We will definitely do it in a collaborative manner. We will have co-operation with countries that have the resources to move forward with this.
Satellite News: Is the ultimate vision for there to be a pan-African dedicated military satellite system?
Fordred: Yes, I do see that. I think Africa could have cooperation with different regions within Africa, for example, East and West Africa. At the moment, it is good to look at this cooperation with other SADC countries and other countries in Africa. The other issue we have right now is that the present satellite is coming to the end of its life. Therefore, we are presently investigating the use of another satellite that will give us the ideal footprint to cover our area of interest. This will be commercial capacity. But we are also exploring X-Band solutions. The footprint that the European constellations can provide us with is very good. Our Navy is expanding its reach, and we are probably getting more involved in other countries to assist in combating piracy.
Satellite News: Is a deal with a European Nation likely?
Fordred: We are investigating it. We have memorandums of understanding in place. We have had discussions and we will pursue it further. In terms of whether we will definitely go with a European country, there may be other countries that have yet to approach us, but have a similar capability. On our initial negotiations, the European footprints could satisfy our needs. We will be having further meetings with these European officials early next year.
