NEW INFORMATION ON SOUTH AFRICA'S NUCLEAR PROGRAM AND SOUTH AFRICAN-ISRAELI NUCLEAR AND MILITARY COOPERATION

This document, dated March 30, 1983, provides new information on South Africa's nuclear program and its cooperation with Israel. It confirms that South Africa initiated a weapons program in 1973, involving the development of gun assembly, implosion, and thermonuclear weapons designs. In 1979, a probable underground nuclear test site was identified in the Kalahari Desert, causing international concern and leading to a halt in further nuclear weapons development.

While there is no direct indication of subsequent activities in the weapons program, it is believed that South Africa either possesses nuclear devices or has the necessary components to assemble them quickly. The memorandum also discusses South Africa's enrichment plant, which has been producing highly enriched uranium since 1978, potentially sufficient for several nuclear weapons.

Regarding South Africa-Israeli cooperation, military officials from both countries hold regular meetings, and there is extensive military and intelligence collaboration. Israeli officers lecture in South Africa, and South African military personnel participate in Israeli training programs. The document mentions previous arms deals between the two countries, but the current status of arms trading is uncertain due to delayed deliveries and the use of intermediaries.

While reports and rumors have linked South Africa and Israel in nuclear cooperation, there is little confirmed information on the matter. It is noted that both countries have the potential to contribute to each other's nuclear weapons programs, given Israel's technical expertise and South Africa's uranium resources and enrichment technology. However, no confirmed reports of equipment or technology transfer exist, and it is unclear if South Africa is still providing uranium to Israel.