Denel will showcase its expanding capabilities in both the defence and civilian aerospace industry at the Dubai Airshow next week.

The biennial event in the United Arab Emirates is an opportunity for Denel to market its products and technical abilities directly to defence and civilian decision-makers. More than 65 000 trade visitors are expected to attend the five day show including senior executives from most of the world’s leading aircraft manufacturers.

“Our capabilities in the defence sphere are well known because of the successful deployment of the Rooivalk combat helicopter in peace-keeping operations in Africa,” says Zwelakhe Ntshepe, the Group Executive: Business Development of Denel. “Denel is a trusted name in this environment and the second largest defence company in the southern hemisphere.

“However, we also want to grow or participation in the civilian and commercial aerospace markets,” says Ntshepe, “and Dubai is an important platform to achieve this.”

Denel Aerostructures is responsible for important work packages on the Airbus A400M military airlifter and has signed an agreement with the European manufacturer to expand this into the civilian environment. This collaboration with Aerosud Aviation will enable the South African industry to jointly bid for larger scale manufacturing work packages on Airbus commercial airliner programmes.

Ntshepe says Denel Aerostructures has demonstrated its capabilities to design, engineer and manufacture parts that meet the exacting demands of the global aerospace industry.

“We are looking forward to interact with industry leaders in both Europe and North America in Dubai and create a greater awareness about the capabilities that exist within Denel,” he says.

The Denel exhibition in Dubai will also feature a display of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) designed and manufactured by Denel Dynamics. The Hungwe is a small tactical system that is ideally suited for clients looking for a cost-effective solution with advanced UAV capabilities.

Ntshepe says the Hungwe is exceptionally versatile and can be used in a wide variety of missions, including border patrols, anti-piracy operations, wildlife protection and search and rescue.

The Middle East and northern Africa are important regions for Denel and the Dubai Airshow is seen as an important opportunity to meet with defence and commercial industry leaders. At the 2013 Show Denel announced that its joint venture company, Tawazun Dynamics, was awarded a R5-billion contract from the United Arab Emirates Air Force for precision-guide munitions for its Mirage 2000 fighters.

Ends

For further information, contact:

Pamela Malinda

Cell: +27 (0) 82 686 2198
Tel: +27 (0) 12 671 2970
email: pamm@denel.co.za

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