Paramount Group
Encyclopedia
The Paramount Group is a group of internationally based companies offering programs and manufacturing products with a focus on defense, internal security and correctional services. The Executive Chairman of the Group is Ivor Ichikowitz
, a South African industrialist of Lithuanian descent.
In 2008, Paramount introduced its own line of manufactured armored vehicles Previously, the company represented other South African defense, security and peacekeeping product manufacturers. .In addition, Paramount has alliances with several other defense and aerospace companies in India, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Israel.
In September 2009, it acquired a 19 per cent stake in Aerosud
, a South African aviation parts manufacturer making it the largest individual shareholder.
, the Marauder (Mine Protected Vehicle)
which was unveiled at the Africa 2008 Aerospace tradeshow, and The Maverick (Internal Security Vehicle)
, which is based on the design of the Matador and the Marauder.
Collectively these vehicles are called the Nemo Land Forces System. The vehicles are intended to support peacekeeping operations under the auspices of the United Nations
and are designed to protect their occupants against land mines and .50 calibre armour piercing incendiary (API) ballistic projectiles.
The Group has been an innovator in integrating Eastern block technologies, combining the Ukranean ZU-23-2 Twin 23mm turret with the South African Ratel
for supply to the Jordanian armed forces.
The company works with Aerosud to supply refurbished Mirage F1AZ aircraft and have successfully integrated a Russian SMR95 (MIG29) into the Mirage F1AZ. Paramount Group and Aerosud jointly purchased the full complement of serviceable French-designed Dassault Mirage F1AZ aircraft from the South African National Defence Force
(SANDF) in 2006.
A squadron of F1s, together with spares and support, is already in operation in one West African country and other sales are soon to be announced.
Paramount has a deal with Indian car manufacturer Ashok Leyland
. the largest supplier of utility vehicles to the Indian Armed Forces, to establish Paramount's second manufacturing plant outside South Africa, producing the Stallion MPV in India
The Group also operates in Jordan, manufacturing military equipment for use in the country as well as others in the region. This is the largest industrial cooperation project between South Africa and Jordan. The aim is to expand defence and technology in these countries whilst expanding the impact that potential peacekeeping can have.
Paramount Group is currently exporting Mine Protected Vehicles and vehicle kits, to be assembled and manufactured in conjunction with Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Defense Industry for the region. In 2009, Paramount finalised an agreement to manufacture its Matador and Marauder MPVs in the capital Baku, with the first vehicles rolling off the production line in May 2010.
In September 2010, Paramount launched Mbombe
, a mine-protected, high-mobility, armoured fighting vehicle
.
In April 2011 at LAAD, Paramount announced that the Maverick
and Marauder vehicles would be trialled by governments in South America , including Brazil.
department provides equipment mainly to government agencies, includings personal protection and crowd control equipment, and purpose-built Armoured Vehicles.
Other divisions related to internal security are the comprehensive infrastructural programmes which support the development of military, police and correctional services.. It also provides solutions to support border patrol, counter-terrorism and disaster management. This includes training for correctional officials.
In an online article published by Defence Web in May 2010, Ivor Ichikowitz set out his vision that opportunities in the industry would be driven mainly by developing economies and that force modernisation in the 21st century would require a step change in the delivery and acquisition of equipment.
Ivor Ichikowitz stated: “If developing countries are to build forces fit for this century, capability providers will need to respond by delivering solutions tailored to unique national requirements for domestic security, peacekeeping, force protection and agile Special Forces.”
During an interview with the BBC Africa Business Report Ivor Ichikowitz highlighted the advances made in Africa’s growing defence industry: "The world has finally discovered that we [in South Africa] have some of the best technologies at affordable prices. We have an amazing skills base, we are home to some of the best engineers in the world, and those engineers have gone on to develop technologies which are being used globally and save lives every day."
Ivor Ichikowitz
Ivor Ichikowitz, born 1966, is a South African industrialist of Lithuanian descent. He is founder and Executive Chairman of the Paramount Group, and Executive Chairman of TransAfrica Capital...
, a South African industrialist of Lithuanian descent.
Company Background
The Group was founded in 1994,. As a privately owned group of companies, Paramount serves sovereign governments worldwide with solutions to peacekeeping, defence, and internal security problems. and seeks to expand its manufacture of armoured vehicles worldwide through its alliances in Jordan and India . Solutions include camp systems, logistic equipment, personal protection gear, crowd control equipment, communication technologies and armoured MPVs.In 2008, Paramount introduced its own line of manufactured armored vehicles Previously, the company represented other South African defense, security and peacekeeping product manufacturers. .In addition, Paramount has alliances with several other defense and aerospace companies in India, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Israel.
In September 2009, it acquired a 19 per cent stake in Aerosud
Aerosud
Aerosud is an aeronautical engineering and manufacturing company, formed in 1990 by the then key designers of the South African Rooivalk Combat Support Helicopter, together with similar leaders from the Atlas Cheetah fighter program and the Product Support Environment.The first major contract...
, a South African aviation parts manufacturer making it the largest individual shareholder.
Armoured vehicles
The Group specialises in the manufacture of three armoured vehicles, the Matador (Mine Protected Vehicle)Matador (Mine Protected Vehicle)
The Matador is an armoured personnel carrier and mine-protected vehicle that is produced by Paramount Group in South Africa. The vehicle was displayed for the first time in 2007, during the International Defence Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi...
, the Marauder (Mine Protected Vehicle)
Marauder (Mine Protected Vehicle)
The Marauder is an armoured, mine-protected vehicle that is produced by the Paramount Group in South Africa. It was launched during the 2007 International Defence Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi, the largest arms exhibition in the Middle East....
which was unveiled at the Africa 2008 Aerospace tradeshow, and The Maverick (Internal Security Vehicle)
Maverick (Internal Security Vehicle)
The Maverick is an internal security vehicle that was designed and developed by the Paramount Group in South Africa.It was launched in 2008 during the Africa Aerospace and Defence Exhibition , which took place at the Ysterplaat Air Force Base in Cape Town, South Africa.-Vehicle specifics:The...
, which is based on the design of the Matador and the Marauder.
Collectively these vehicles are called the Nemo Land Forces System. The vehicles are intended to support peacekeeping operations under the auspices of the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
and are designed to protect their occupants against land mines and .50 calibre armour piercing incendiary (API) ballistic projectiles.
The Group has been an innovator in integrating Eastern block technologies, combining the Ukranean ZU-23-2 Twin 23mm turret with the South African Ratel
Ratel IFV
The Ratel is the basic Infantry Fighting Vehicle of the South African National Defence Force's mechanized infantry battalions. Ratel is the Afrikaans name for the honey badger, which has a reputation as a ferocious fighter.-History:...
for supply to the Jordanian armed forces.
The company works with Aerosud to supply refurbished Mirage F1AZ aircraft and have successfully integrated a Russian SMR95 (MIG29) into the Mirage F1AZ. Paramount Group and Aerosud jointly purchased the full complement of serviceable French-designed Dassault Mirage F1AZ aircraft from the South African National Defence Force
South African National Defence Force
The South African National Defence Force is the armed forces of South Africa. The military as it exists today was created in 1994, following South Africa's first post-apartheid national elections and the adoption of a new constitution...
(SANDF) in 2006.
A squadron of F1s, together with spares and support, is already in operation in one West African country and other sales are soon to be announced.
Paramount has a deal with Indian car manufacturer Ashok Leyland
Ashok Leyland
Ashok Leyland is a commercial vehicle manufacturing company based in Chennai, India. Founded in 1948, the company is one of India's leading manufacturers of commercial vehicles, such as trucks and buses, as well as emergency and military vehicles. Operating six plants, Ashok Leyland also makes...
. the largest supplier of utility vehicles to the Indian Armed Forces, to establish Paramount's second manufacturing plant outside South Africa, producing the Stallion MPV in India
The Group also operates in Jordan, manufacturing military equipment for use in the country as well as others in the region. This is the largest industrial cooperation project between South Africa and Jordan. The aim is to expand defence and technology in these countries whilst expanding the impact that potential peacekeeping can have.
Paramount Group is currently exporting Mine Protected Vehicles and vehicle kits, to be assembled and manufactured in conjunction with Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Defense Industry for the region. In 2009, Paramount finalised an agreement to manufacture its Matador and Marauder MPVs in the capital Baku, with the first vehicles rolling off the production line in May 2010.
In September 2010, Paramount launched Mbombe
Mbombe
The Mbombe is a mine-protected, high-mobility, armoured fighting vehicle that is produced by Paramount Group in South Africa.The vehicle was unveiled on 20 September 2010 at the African Aerospace & Defence Exhibition, the largest aviation and defence show in Africa, held in Cape Town...
, a mine-protected, high-mobility, armoured fighting vehicle
Armoured fighting vehicle
An armoured fighting vehicle is a combat vehicle, protected by strong armour and armed with weapons. AFVs can be wheeled or tracked....
.
In April 2011 at LAAD, Paramount announced that the Maverick
Maverick (Internal Security Vehicle)
The Maverick is an internal security vehicle that was designed and developed by the Paramount Group in South Africa.It was launched in 2008 during the Africa Aerospace and Defence Exhibition , which took place at the Ysterplaat Air Force Base in Cape Town, South Africa.-Vehicle specifics:The...
and Marauder vehicles would be trialled by governments in South America , including Brazil.
Internal Security
Paramount’s internal securityInternal security
Internal security, or IS, is the act of keeping peace within the borders of a sovereign state or other self-governing territories. generally by upholding the national law and defending against internal security threats...
department provides equipment mainly to government agencies, includings personal protection and crowd control equipment, and purpose-built Armoured Vehicles.
Other divisions related to internal security are the comprehensive infrastructural programmes which support the development of military, police and correctional services.. It also provides solutions to support border patrol, counter-terrorism and disaster management. This includes training for correctional officials.
In The Press
Paramount Group has received media attention for its role in highlighting the need for a new approach to defence manufacturing in the developing world.In an online article published by Defence Web in May 2010, Ivor Ichikowitz set out his vision that opportunities in the industry would be driven mainly by developing economies and that force modernisation in the 21st century would require a step change in the delivery and acquisition of equipment.
Ivor Ichikowitz stated: “If developing countries are to build forces fit for this century, capability providers will need to respond by delivering solutions tailored to unique national requirements for domestic security, peacekeeping, force protection and agile Special Forces.”
During an interview with the BBC Africa Business Report Ivor Ichikowitz highlighted the advances made in Africa’s growing defence industry: "The world has finally discovered that we [in South Africa] have some of the best technologies at affordable prices. We have an amazing skills base, we are home to some of the best engineers in the world, and those engineers have gone on to develop technologies which are being used globally and save lives every day."