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SANDF provides experience for local companies

The quality and depth of local technology, products and systems expertise has been frequently demonstrated in the South African National Defence Force, which sets demanding quality control and technology standards while insisting on strict adherence to production deadlines.

"There is no doubt that local companies derive valuable experience from conducting contract work for the Defence Force - experience that proves invaluable in the commercial sector," says Dr Bennie Coetzer, managing director of video processing, data communications and digital CCTV surveillance systems specialist, Thales Advanced Engineering.

Dr Bennie Coetzer, MD of Thales Advanced Engineering

Thales provides total solutions in the form of products and systems engineering for the defence, commercial security and specialised imaging markets. "Many of the technologies and processes we developed originally for Defence Force applications are now increasingly being adopted in commercial fields," adds Dr Coetzer.

For more than 15 years, Thales has specialised in systems and applications to enhance the ability to make use of images in tactical environments. Dr Coetzer says the company has also developed algorithms for the clarification of images affected by heat shimmer, for target tracking, movement detection, explosion detection and a number of other applications.

"These algorithms are incorporated into high quality, realtime digital video recording, transmission and image analysis systems that record images of what takes place when weapons on naval vessels, submarines, aircraft, helicopters and vehicles are used. The images are transmitted to headquarters for expert analysis and interpretation that assists commanders to make the best possible tactical decisions. For this, speed and image quality are most important."

Civil security depends on high-technology solutions to similar fundamental requirements and the technology Thales developed for defence use is now also meeting the needs of the commercial and industrial security industry.

"Similar digital video and data communications technologies are giving civil security what it needs - the ability to track down perpetrators with high quality movement detection and image recording of events with pictures that are of sufficient resolution to clearly recognise faces, read number plates and other identification details.

"The markets in South Africa are relatively small and it stands to reason that if a company can serve both the defence and commercial markets from a similar technology and product base then it should do so. There are benefits to be attained from higher volumes, cost efficiencies and export opportunities," concludes Dr Coetzer.

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