Denel flexes muscle at maritime exhibit

Denel, the defence and technology company, recently participated in the Maritime and Coastal Security Africa exhibition in Cape Town and used it as an opportunity to market its products and services.

"Denel has traditionally been strong in the landward and aerospace sectors but many of our products and systems can also be used by maritime clients, both in the defence and civilian sectors," says Riaz Saloojee, group chief executive of Denel .

"This also forms part of our strategy to grow revenue by penetrating new markets and find business opportunities for Denel's existing core capabilities and proven products.

"Denel is an important national asset and a strategic partner of our defence community, including the SA Navy," says Saloojee.

Earlier in November, Denel successfully tested its extended range, Umkhonto, surface-to-air missile during live firing exercises at the Denel Overberg Test Range in the southern Cape. The Umkhonto, designed and manufactured by Denel Dynamics, can now be fired from both land-based launchers as well as the SA Navy's Meko A200 class frigates.

Saloojee says maritime security is growing in importance for South Africa and Africa, in general, with increasing demands to counter the growth of piracy in southern waters and protect the country's marine resources along the 2 500 km long coastline.