Denel presents a full range of their latest technologies and innovations of military products at AAD.

More than 30 countries will be participating at this year’s AAD, where the exhibition space at the venue, Air Force Base Waterkloof, was already sold out by June.

The Group CEO of Denel, Riaz Saloojee, says there is a resurgent interest in the company’s cutting edge products and systems, and the AAD, which is the biggest defence show on the African continent with more than 300 exhibitors from 30 countries this year, will provide an opportunity for the company to showcase its capabilities to key decision-makers attending the event.

Mr Saloojee says the global interest shown in the local defence industry is demonstrated by the growth of the Exhibition which attracts industry leaders and decision-makers from across the world.

“The successful deployment of the Rooivalk combat helicopter in support of our troops in peacekeeping operations in Africa has demonstrated Denel’s design and manufacturing capabilities to a wider audience. The world has taken note of our unique technology and expertise,” he says.

“One of our primary objectives is to accelerate the transformation of the South African defence industry through our efforts to bring black-owned, youth-owned and women-owned companies into the mainstream of manufacturing.”

Mr Saloojee says although Denel has a primary mandate to provide the South African defence and security sectors with world-class and cost-effective products and services, the group is developing into a high-tech manufacturing powerhouse.

Denel Aerostructures is one of the few companies outside Europe to be a top tier supplier on the Airbus A400m transport aircraft and has just won a major new contract which confirmed the confidence that one the world’s leading manufacturers have in the capabilities of the local industry.