Denel contributes to SA satellite and space programme

"Denel was involved in the previous RSA space programmes until 1996 and has a latent space capability including key staff that still work for Denel on various current programmes, as well as the Houwteq satellite test facility near Grabouw. This opportunity will allow Denel to optimise the synergy between the Sunspace capabilities and the latent capability in Denel for the broader national technological benefit," says the group CEO of Denel, Riaz Saloojee.

An exciting development

In this way, Denel will ensure that South Africa will not only retain the critical home-grown capacity developed by SunSpace, but will also strengthen and grow this base by utilising Denel Dynamics' engineering skills development program.

It is important to note that with this project, Denel is not buying a new business, but will simply be executing contracts from SANSA, in a domain that the Denel Group is familiar with, utilising employees previously employed by Sunspace who will soon be employed by Denel.

While the DST is buying the tangible and intangible assets of the defunct SunSpace on behalf of SANSA, SANSA will in turn contract Denel to execute future contracts, using the tangible and intangible assets now owned by SANSA.

"In addition, Denel will take on most of the staff, who all happen to be high-end engineers and scientists. This is an extremely exciting development not only for Denel but for the country," says Saloojee.

Increasing key collaboration

The execution of the contracts will be a collaborative effort between Denel Dynamics as main contractor to SANSA and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the universities, various high-technology industries in South Africa, and the DST.

This collaboration represents a collective "RSA Incorporated" approach under the leadership of Denel to develop and broaden a competitive satellite manufacturing industry in South Africa.

"As Denel we are pleased to be in the process of implementing a key strategic objective of government which is to increase collaboration within the state, while we will also be leveraging Denel's capabilities to contribute towards the broader knowledge-based economy and advanced manufacturing in our country," Saloojee says.

For more information, go to www.denel.co.za.