This paper describes the development of a dual-band (L and C), fully polarised SAR sensor demonstrator for airborne platforms, by the CSIR as part of a programme aimed at establishing a local SAR technology base in South Africa. Once fully operational, the system will provide a test bed for future SAR technology development and provide a data capturing capability to stimulate SAR processor development, as well as SAR application directed research, both internally at the CSIR, but also in the broader SAR user/developer community of South Africa.