The rise of African-made military drones in the arms race

African Countries Invest in Local Production of Military Drones

As unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) become increasingly critical for modern armed forces, African countries are investing in the local production of military drones. The latest data shows that the continent is making significant progress in developing indigenous drones, potentially sparking an arms race as countries vie to gain a technological edge over their neighbors.

According to Military Africa, an online defense industry resource, up to 35 different made-in-Africa drone models are currently in operation or beyond the prototype stage. These drones have been developed across seven African countries by thirteen different companies, showcasing the continent’s growing expertise and innovation in this field.

Southern Africa leads in locally-produced drones, producing 94 units across 12 models, followed by North Africa with 51 units across 14 models. South Africa’s Denel is Africa’s leading and largest drone manufacturer, with a long history of drone development dating back to the 1970s.

In East Africa, Kenya and Ethiopia are at the forefront of local manufacturing of military drones. Kenya has reverse-engineered Israel’s Aerostar drone with the help of Turkish engineers, while Ethiopia has developed its own WanderB drone with two variants.

The use of military drones in Africa has sharply increased in recent years, with at least 21 countries operating drones for military purposes. Nigeria, Algeria, and Ethiopia are listed as the most viable markets for domestic drone industries, with Nigeria leading in the number and types of drones purchased annually.

Overall, Africa mostly imports military drones from China, Israel, and the United States of America. However, with the continent’s growing expertise in drone production, there is a shift towards local manufacturing to enhance security and defense capabilities.