Here’s where weapons manufactured in South Africa are sold the most

Image for illustrative purposes. Rockets fired during a training exercise in Australia. Picture: EPA/DEAN LEWINS South Africa still exports billions in military weaponry, but concerns have been raised about whether they are falling into the wrong hands.

The joint standing committee on defence on Friday heard how much South Africa was generating from munitions contracts, as well as which regions around the world were the largest buyers. The committee was again frustrated by the absence of Defence Minister Angie Motshekga, but Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni was on hand to answer pressing questions. Key information on sales and destinations was shared by the Directorate of Conventional Arms Control (DCAC).

The directorate stated that 187 permits or authorisations of use had been issued in 2024, with that figure rising to 197 in 2025. Over those two years, weapons contracting permits through DCAC, Denel andRheinmetall Denel Munitionwere valued at R110 billion. The contracts include equipment, spares, weapons, and ammunition, with exported munitions valued at R4.6 billion over the two-year period.

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Europe was the primary destination for exports, taking in 63% of all munitions and 77% of dual-use goods and technologies. For munitions, the Americas received 2%, the Middle East 12% and Africa 11%. On the dual-use and technology front, the Middle East received 5%, the Americas received 13%, and Africa received less than 1%. Committee members questioned why the figures were broken down by geographic area and why the committee did not specify which country purchased the most.

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