After an absence of some years, South Africa's Denel Group has returned to the premier Latin American defence exhibition, LAAD 2005, in pursuit of greater collaboration with Brazilian defence industry companies. LAAD 2005 opens this week (26 to 29 April 2005) at the Rio Centro outside Rio de Janeiro.

"I am absolutely ecstatic to be here with a strong Denel team who has been building relations with Brazilian industry for several years now," says Mr Sandile Zungu, Chairman of the Denel Board of Directors. "The peoples of Brazil and South Africa have good relationships going back decades, especially in the political and economic fields. Yet, we need to deepen those within the context of stronger South-South relations. In this way Denel could jointly with Brazil's defence companies develop products and systems that would benefit both our nations."

The need for Denel to play a pivotal role in the forging of such partnerships was strongly expressed by the South African Government when the Minister of Public Enterprises, Mr Alec Erwin, said in Parliament during his Budget Vote earlier this month (15 April 2005):

"…the State sees the enterprise (Denel) as being strategic and will retain it in State hands. An additional factor in this decision is the possibility of important strategic production alliances with companies in India and Brazil." This was a reference to the IBSA (India-Brazil-South Africa) initiative.

Denel is well regarded for the development of innovative, yet highly capable niche defence systems. These include precision guided weapons like missile systems and modular bomb kits, aerospace systems such as unmanned aerial vehicles and fast drones, airborne surveillance and sighting systems, helmet tracking devices, imaging infrared equipment and laser target acquisition systems.

In the area of land systems, Denel is renowned for advanced combat turrets and extended range artillery ballistic systems, including superior ammunition and propellants.

According to Mr Zungu, there is growing recognition among developing nations that indigenous military equipment serve their interests better.

"We are progressing well in discussions with Brazilian industry and the defence establishment regarding the joint development of some key Denel missile programmes," says Mr Victor Moche, Denel's outgoing Chief Executive Officer. "Several other products will also be explored, notably infantry fighting vehicles with their turret systems, unmanned air vehicles and naval defence weapons. "

Mr Moche explained that Denel sees the LAAD 2005 exhibition as an opportunity to explore possible industrial and military partnerships rather than offering products for sale.

This is underscored by the presence at LAAD 2005 of the Chiefs of the South African Air Force, Lt Gen Carlo Gagiano and the Navy, Adm. Johannes Refilwe Mudimu, both official guests of their Brazilian counterparts. Maj Gen Otto Schür represents the South African Chief of Defence Acquisitions and Procurement, Mr Bruce Ramfolo.

They are expected to interact with their Brazilian counterparts in support of growing links with South Africa's southern hemisphere neighbour.

Denel supports this with a large display of its niche products and systems, notably precision-guided weapons that are attracting serious attention in the world market. Visitors to LAAD2005 will see the long-range anti-tank Mokopa and surface-to-air Umkhonto missiles on display. The Mokopa is scheduled to do further firing trials, including launches from South Africa's Rooivalk attack helicopter, in the ramp-up to industrialisation and series production.

(Rooivalk is now in service with No 16 Squadron in the South African Air Force, and is expected to be deployed as part of South Africa's peacekeeping operations in Africa around September 2007).

The Umkhonto vertically launched naval surface-to-air missile system is being integrated on the South African Navy's Meko-class corvettes. Its selection by Finland for that Navy's Squadron 2000 project further endorsed the capabilities of Denel's air defence missile capabilities.

Denel is continuing development of the A-Darter air-to-air missile for short-range aerial combat against next generation fighter aircraft and local Brazilian company, Mectron, has been invited to participate.

Known for its formidable 155mm and the latest 105mm artillery systems (the latter being evaluated by the United States), Denel is also showing its latest combat turret technology and ammunition at LAAD 2005. Discussions are planned with the Brazilian Army.

The company's infantry weapon developments include the potent NTW-20 anti-materiél rifle which proved highly successful in the export market. This weapon now sports improved recoil management systems and sighting equipment.

Another improved weapon is Denel's Integratd Mortar system. Using some of the most advanced, battle proven electronic technology yet developed in South Africa, the system ensures effective, accurate and successful mortar fire.

The mortar fire controller employs Denel's sophisticated GPS integrated LH40 eye-safe laser rangefinder or the new Eagle Eye target location binocular. The Eagle Eye is also shown at LAAD2005, along with the Denel Optronics LEO II-A3 airborne observation and surveillance system, now used in some 12 countries around the world.

"Denel is committed to this market and is putting greater emphasis on further collaboration with Brazil as part of the wider IBSA initiative," says Sandile Zungu. "With such international technology partnerships, we can jointly play an even more significant role in the global defence market."