JOHANNESBURG, April 9 – South Africa’s arms and munitions exports surged in 2025, with total approved export permits reaching R10.1 billion ($550 million), nearly three times the R3.6 billion recorded a year earlier.
According to the National Conventional Arms Control Committee, 582 export permits were issued to 42 countries, reflecting a sharp rise in global demand for South African defence products.
Europe accounted for the largest share of exports at 42%, followed by the Middle East (23%), Africa (20%), Asia-Pacific (12%) and the Americas (3%).
Munitions dominated the export mix, with Germany emerging as the single largest buyer, placing orders worth about R3.3 billion for artillery shells. Other significant buyers included Turkey, Estonia and Australia.
Armoured vehicle exports also contributed substantially, with more than 130 units delivered across multiple markets. Kenya, Ghana, Malawi, Cameroon and the United Arab Emirates were among the key recipients.
Aircraft sales further boosted export figures, with deliveries to Iraq, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique and the UAE. Industry sources indicate that some of these transactions involved the locally developed Paramount Mwari light combat aircraft. Two naval vessels were also exported to Tanzania.
South Africa also exported dual-use technologies, communications systems and specialised equipment to markets including India, France, Bangladesh and Brazil, alongside smaller shipments such as lasers and unmanned aerial systems.
The export performance is underpinned by a well-established domestic defence industry, led by companies such as Denel, Rheinmetall Denel Munition, Paramount Group and Milkor.
The NCACC said no exports were made to countries under United Nations embargoes and rejected claims that South African weapons had been diverted to active conflict zones.
South Africa remains one of the few net arms exporters on the continent, contrasting with countries such as Egypt, Algeria and Nigeria, which rely heavily on imports from global suppliers.
Meanwhile, defence imports into South Africa totalled R269 million in 2025, including equipment sourced from the United Kingdom, Slovakia, the United States, Serbia, Belgium and China.
The sharp increase in exports highlights South Africa’s growing role in global defence supply chains, even as demand for military equipment continues to rise amid heightened geopolitical tensions.
