Denel in new global deal

Johannesburg - Arms parastatal Denel and the private sector are gearing up to supply unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) to developing nations.

In a statement on Friday, Denel said SA had the credentials to be a player in the fast-growing UAV sector.

Denel is SA's biggest supplier of UAV systems while the other is Advanced Technologies & Engineering.

The companies have decided not to compete against each other, instead creating a UAV Forum, now called the Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Forum.

"It combines the research and development advances of the CSIR and universities - funded by the Department of Science and Technology and supported by the Department of Trade and Industry, to leverage industry and government support for the good of the country," Denel said.

While the United States and Israel dominated the global market, Denel said that there was scope for SA to use local skills to create market-leading UAVs for developing nations.

This market was estimated at R2bn per annum and the SA UAV industry aimed to capture in excess of 20%t at an estimated value of R400m a year, Denel said.

The global increase in operational use of UAVs was a direct result of lessons learnt by allied forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"The surveillance benefits in the defence world of being able to survey borders and enter war zones without a pilot are extensive," Denel said.

"Even regular use of UAVs in civilian airspace has captured the world's imagination," the parastatal added.

- Sapa