The establishment of the new Denel Integrated Systems and Maritime division (DISM) will strengthen the company’s transition as a high-technology powerhouse and expand the range of products and services we now offer to the South African defence and security sectors.

In addition, DISM will add to Denel’s existing strengths in the landward and aerospace arenas, while at the same time opening up new markets for the company, enabling us to remain globally competitive, says the Group CEO of Denel, Riaz Saloojee.

“The creation of Denel ISM is the next step in the evolution of Denel as a company. We are opening up a new strategic area of business that will ensure Denel’s activities cover the broader spectrum of defence and security markets and enable us to meet the needs of our primary client, the SA National Defence Force, more effectively,” says Saloojee.

The CEO of Denel Aerostructures, Ismail Dockrat has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of Denel ISM. In the past he has been responsible for the successful turnaround of both Denel’s Aviation and Aerostructures divisions. Theo Kleynhans, the Deputy CEO of Denel Aerostructures becomes the new CEO of the company.

Saloojee says the creation of the maritime division will enable Denel to meet the recommendations of the Defence Review 2014, which calls for the company to develop sovereign capabilities in strategic areas such as Command-and-Control and Electronic Warfare.

DISM will also develop local South African capacity through research and investment in Maritime Systems, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, Cyber Warfare and Security, Integrated Defence and Security Systems and Civil Security.

“It is a natural next step for Denel to establish a presence in the maritime environment. We have been a global name in landward defence for many decades and a leader in the development of long-range artillery and mechanised infantry vehicles.

“In the aerospace sector we designed, developed and manufactured the Rooivalk which is broadly-recognised as being best-of-breed among combat helicopters. We will soon launch our new-generation unmanned aerial vehicle, the Seeker 400 while the A-Darter surface-to-air missile is at an advanced stage of development.

“Denel’s biggest strength is to integrate different systems and to provide our client with a complete and comprehensive solution,” says Saloojee. “Modern defence forces require the different branches to interact with each other and utilise systems that can be easily integrated into a single command-and-control network.

“With Denel Integrated Systems and Maritime we now close all the gaps and offer the South African and global security markets a single point of entry into an all-inclusive defence solution.”

Mr Saloojee says the new business opportunities that will emanate from the division will strengthen Denel’s business model, create new job opportunities in the high-technology sector and lead to more investment in research and development.

“This is another important step in our journey to grow from being a good company to becoming a great company,” says Saloojee.

Ends

For further information, contact:

Vuyelwa Qinga

Cell: +27 (0) 79 511 6257
Tel: +27 (0) 12 671 2662
email: vuyelwaq@denel.co.za

Please share on: