Denel Seeks Collaboration with Brazilian Industry

With its leading niche products on display at Latin America´s premier defense exhibition, LAAD 2005, South Africa´s Denel Group plans for greater collaboration with brazilian defence industry companies.Already in place is a locally registered company, Denel do Brasil, to facilitate collaborative ventures across the South Atlantic.In terms of aerospace programmes, Denel will support Mectron and the Brazilian Air Force´s aerospace technical centre, CTA, on the final evaluation of Brazil´s Piranha air-to-air missile.To this end, Denel will provide a target drone deployment exercise in Brazil using the versatile SKUA high speed target drone.

The SKUA, which is already operational in several countries, will also be demonstrated in India. It was recently successfully used to qualify a newly developed missile approach warning system ( MAWS) for Avitronics, the South African company that is part of Grintek Limited.With the recent cancellation of the tender process for Brazil´s FX programme, Denel is offering its BVR missile, designated R-Darter, for use on Brazilian Air Force´s F-5BR aircraft, in conjunction with Rafael.

Ground integration trials of this missile have already been conducted in Brazil earlier this month.Dennel envisages closer collaboration with companies such as Emgepron, notably in co-production of ammunition and pyrotechnic components and Imbel on future vehicle programmes.Several of Denel´s top executives are visiting LAAD 2005, including Mr Sandle Zungu, the chairman of the board of Diretos and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Victor Moche.

Their attendance at the show allows for top-level meetings with Brazilian executives and the Brazilian armed forces.These meetings are likely to be strenghtened with the presence of South Africa´s air force and navy chiefs, Lt Gen Carlo Gagiano and Adm Johannes Refilwe Mudime rspectively, both official guests of their brazilian counterparts.

According to Sandile Zungu, the South African Government is keen to expand the IBSA initiative trough greater collaboration with Brazil and India. With such international technology partnerships, we can improve our strategic independence in the world, while at the same time playing na even more significant role in the global defence market," he said.