Milkor
A South African grenade-launcher maker whose revolver-style MGL is used in more than 50 countries reinvented itself as the builder of Africa’s largest drone.
Milkor: the company and the aircraft that made its name
From grenade launchers to the sky
For four decades Milkor meant one thing: the MGL, a six-shot 40 mm grenade launcher with a revolving cylinder like an outsized revolver. Founded around 1980 by Andries Piek, the company sold it to armies and police in more than 50 countries, and its basic design was the starting point for the US M32 used by the US Marine Corps, built under licence by an unrelated firm, Milkor USA. Then, from 2017, the private company set out to expand into land, sea, cyber and, most ambitiously, air systems.
Africa’s biggest drone
The air programme began with a small demonstrator, the MA80, which first flew in 2017. Its big brother was the Milkor 380, a medium-altitude long-endurance drone that the company billed as the largest UAV designed and manufactured in Africa, with every component built in house. It spans 18.6 metres, weighs up to 1,500 kg, runs on a single Rotax 915 iS piston engine and has five hardpoints for weapons and sensors. Early airframes were laid up by hand; production moved to vacuum resin infusion.
Five for the air force
The Milkor 380 made its maiden flight on 19 September 2023. South Africa’s cabinet approved its acquisition that November, and by 2024 five were reported in service with the South African Air Force. The company quotes endurance of up to 30 hours and a range of up to 4,000 km. The aircraft is powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, carries a payload of up to 220 kg and has a quoted service ceiling of 30,000 ft.
Milkor in numbers
La empresa
- En breve
- Founded 1980–1981
- Privately owned South African defence company
- Founded by Andries C. Piek
- Best known for the MGL multiple grenade launcher, used in more than 50 countries
- Expanded into air, sea and cyber from 2017
Producción
- Más conocido por
- Milkor 380 UAV
- MA80 demonstrator first flew in 2017
- Milkor 380 MALE drone first flew in 2023
- Five Milkor 380s with the South African Air Force by 2024
Hoy
- Ahora
- Drone and weapons maker
- Headquartered in Centurion, Gauteng
- Still produces 37/38 mm and 40 mm launchers
Los números
- Countries using the MGL
- more than 50
- Milkor 380 in SAAF service
- 52024
- Milkor 380 maximum take-off weight
- 1,500 kg
- Milkor 380 endurance
- up to 30 hours (manufacturer)
Every notable Milkor aircraft
| Aeronave | Role | Primer vuelo | Construido | Estado | Nota |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milkor MA80 | UAV demonstrator | 2017 | Jubilado | ||
| Milkor 380 | UAV de altitud media y largo alcance | 2023 | En producción | 18.6 m span, five hardpoints; in South African Air Force service |
Milkor aircraft in the world’s air forces
1 air forces in the Order of Battle fly or flew Milkor types. Ninguno de ellos todavía tiene uno en servicio.
| Fuerzas aéreas | En servicio | Anteriormente volado |
|---|---|---|
| Fuerza Aérea Sudafricana | Vehículo aéreo no tripulado Milkor 380 |
Where Milkor built, who led it, what it achieved
Gente
- Andries C. Piek · fundador
Récords y primicias
- Milkor 380: described as the largest UAV designed and manufactured in Africa
Milkor, year by year
Milkor established (1981 in some company records)
Expansion into air, sea and cyber; MA80 demonstrator first flight
Milkor 380 introduced
Milkor 380 maiden flight
South African cabinet approves the Milkor 380
Five Milkor 380s reported in South African Air Force service
Everything people ask about Milkor
What is the Milkor 380?
What is Milkor known for?
Is the US M32 a Milkor design?
Where is Milkor based?
Around Milkor
Todos los datos, verificados
Verificado el 3 de octubre de 2026.