Johannesburg, South Africa. 6 August 2026 – Paramount Aerospace Industries has strengthened the recently unveiled Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (Counter-UAS) capability of its multi-mission Mwari aircraft through the successful integration of ASELSAN’s advanced ASELFLIR-500 electro-optical targeting system.
The integration forms part of a strategic collaboration between Paramount Aerospace Industries and ASELSAN and marks a significant enhancement of the dedicated Mwari Counter-UAS configuration announced by Paramount earlier this year.
By combining Mwari’s unique modular mission architecture with one of the world’s leading electro-optical targeting systems, the partnership delivers an even more capable airborne solution to counter the rapidly growing threat posed by one-way attack drones and other unmanned aerial systems.
The proliferation of low-cost drones has fundamentally changed the character of modern conflict. Once the preserve of advanced militaries, unmanned aerial systems are now being employed by state and non-state actors alike to threaten military bases, critical national infrastructure, ports, airports, border installations and strategic energy facilities. Increasingly, the challenge is no longer simply defeating drones, but detecting, identifying and tracking them quickly enough to enable an effective response.
The Mwari Counter-UAS configuration was developed specifically to address this challenge.
Building on the aircraft’s proven multi-mission architecture, the dedicated configuration combines airborne surveillance, target identification and a range of kinetic effector options within a single rapidly deployable platform. The successful integration of ASELSAN’s ASELFLIR-500 further strengthens these capabilities by providing long-range electro-optical surveillance, precision target tracking and laser designation, enabling operators to detect, identify and engage drone threats with greater speed, accuracy and confidence.
The ASELFLIR-500 combines high-definition day and thermal imaging, short-wave infrared sensing, laser rangefinding, laser designation, advanced target tracking and AI-enhanced image processing to provide exceptional detection, recognition and identification performance against small aerial targets during both day and night operations.
Unlike conventional aircraft designed around fixed mission systems, Mwari was engineered from the outset with an open architecture and a unique interchangeable mission pod system. This allows the aircraft to rapidly integrate sensors, effectors, electronic warfare systems and other mission equipment from leading global technology partners, ensuring customers are not locked into a single configuration and can continuously evolve capability as operational requirements change.
The aircraft’s dedicated sensor stations and configurable mission systems architecture enable additional surveillance and detection systems to be integrated according to customer requirements. Sensor information is fused within the mission system and presented to the mission operator, supporting positive target identification and engagement decisions while maintaining the human-in-the-loop throughout the engagement process.
Lee Connolly, Chief Executive Officer of Paramount Aerospace Industries, said the latest collaboration significantly strengthens Mwari’s ability to perform every stage of the Counter-UAS mission.
“Countering today’s drone threat requires far more than simply carrying an interceptor. Success depends on the ability to detect, identify, classify, track and engage small, fast-moving aerial targets quickly and accurately. The ASELFLIR-500 significantly enhances Mwari’s ability to deliver that complete capability from a single airborne platform.”
He said Mwari’s flexibility provides operators with a significant operational advantage as drone technology continues to evolve.
“For many nations, the detection problem can be just as challenging as the defeat problem. Mwari’s modular architecture allows us to configure the aircraft around each customer’s existing air defence environment and the specific threats they face. Rather than prescribing a single solution, we provide an adaptable platform that can integrate best-of-breed technologies as new threats emerge.”
The collaboration also reinforces Paramount’s broader approach to capability development by combining sovereign South African aerospace innovation with globally proven mission technologies. Through its open systems architecture, Mwari enables the rapid integration of advanced sensors, electronic warfare systems, communications and mission payloads without requiring fundamental redesign of the aircraft, reducing development timelines while ensuring long-term operational relevance.
Connolly said this philosophy would continue to underpin future development of the Mwari platform.
“The pace of innovation in unmanned systems is extraordinary. Airborne platforms must be able to evolve just as rapidly if they are to remain operationally relevant over decades of service. Mwari was engineered for exactly that purpose. Every new technology we integrate makes the platform more capable, more adaptable and better prepared to defeat the threats of tomorrow.”
The successful integration of the ASELFLIR-500 further strengthens Mwari’s position as one of the world’s most adaptable airborne Counter-UAS platforms while demonstrating how strategic international collaboration can enhance sovereign aerospace capability and deliver operational advantage for customers worldwide.
Photos courtesy Paramount
