The satellite system, called Project Condor, was launched into orbit last December by the Russians and provides surveillance coverage of all of Africa. The project has been shrouded in secrecy, with Russia originally refusing to reveal who its client was.
To find out more about the venture, South African intelligence turned to an agent “with direct access to the Russian government,” according to an August 2012 top-secret report, obtained by the Guardian.
The agent, codenamed “Agent Africanist,” reported that the satellite system would place “South Africa in a position to conduct its own aerial surveillance in Africa, potentially right up to Israel for strategic military purposes,” according to the Guardian.
Project Condor opponents in Parliament have challenged the necessity of the satellite system, which reportedly cost Pretoria $100 million, and questioned the secrecy surrounding the project.
They argue that, outside of peacekeeping operations in the rest of Africa and spotting poachers in remote parts of the country, there is no clear need for surveillance on such a massive scale, especially when cost cuts are taking place elsewhere in government.
The scheme, first proposed eight years ago, has been reported as being the pet project of General Moretti Motau, former head of South African military intelligence, who has now retired and sits on the board of the weapons firm Armscorp, the Guardian reported.
The leaked document suggests that South Africa is using the Condor Project to build closer ties with Russia, with another satellite system being developed by Moscow.
“The aim is to eventually integrate the two satellite systems and capabilities providing wider strategic coverage with obvious benefits for both countries,” the intelligence document states.
There is also the prospect of the two countries working together to challenge the domination of African arms sales by the US and France. The South African government is “seriously deliberating” selling shares in the state-owned arms manufacturer Denel.
“This has attracted the interest of the Russian arms industry,” the document states.
If a sale takes place, “Russia will strongly consider entering into a strategic arrangement with Denel,” whose focus would be “geared specifically towards the African market, taking on the likes of France and the US.”
