In a long running acquisition project, the Government of South Africa is now to get its first “spy satellite” as it has reportedly purchased a Kondor-E class radar reconnaissance satellite. After a series of delays the satellite is planned to be launched on a Strela-1 launch vehicle on 18 December 2014. The purchase was begun when under the secret project, Project Flute. In a contract signed with NPO Mashinostroyenia, it was agreed in May 2006 that the South African government would receive a Russian-built Kondor-E radar imaging satellite for the use of South Africa’s defence and intelligence agencies. The deal is thought to be worth RAND1 billion (US$89.5 million).
