17 September 2014 by defenceWeb

Denel Land Systems launched a new one-man turret, designed for the African market, at the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2014 expedition in Pretoria on Wednesday.

The Light Combat Turret is a one-man turret for vehicles likely to operate in higher risk areas or roles, Denel said. It provides all-round and top protection against infantry weapons and fragments, with vision blocks for all round view and a top hatch to allow the gunner to ride head out when safe to do so. The turret can traverse 360 degrees and the mounted weapon can depress to minus twelve degrees and elevate to 45 degrees.

Weapons options include 7.62 and 12.7 mm machineguns, a 20 mm GA1 cannon or a 40 mm GLI40 automatic grenade launcher. The cradle has been designed to accept any of these weapons without modification.

The fire direction system includes a three field of view high definition day camera, a thermal imager for night use and a laser rangefinder, with all ballistic calculations on screen.

Denel Land Systems said the turret provides an affordable and low maintenance protected firepower solution for armoured personnel carriers or similar vehicles. Keeping the cost down is the fact that the turret is manually operated but other actuation mechanisms are available. Baseline weight is 650 kg.

Stephan Burger, Denel Land Systems (DLS) CEO, said that DLS and its associated companies LMT and Mechem now offer armoured vehicles as complete systems with the armament fully integrated with the vehicle. Burger said there has been interest in the turrets from Far Eastern customers.

Also on display at the Denel stand was a fire truck being offered to the South African Air Force to meet its Project Bandsman requirement for a fire/rescue vehicle. The vehicle on display was brought in in partnership with Rosenbauer and MAN.

17 December 2013 by Guy Martin - defenceWeb

South African defence and aerospace conglomerate Denel says it is well on the way to business sustainability and has highlighted a number of important achievements for 2013, such as the awarding of the Badger production contract, the performance of the Rooivalk in African peacekeeping operations and a R5 billion guided munition contract.

Riaz Saloojee, Denel Group CEO, said that the company’s performance over the last year “has received widespread recognition. At our recent meeting with the Portfolio Committee on Public Enterprises, Members of Parliament spoke with great appreciation about the company’s role in meeting its strategic mandates and the success of our financial turnaround.”

Over the last year Denel improved revenue by more than 10% and grew profit by R30 million to R71 million. The only remaining loss-making unit in the group, Denel Aerostructures, has improved its position by 35%.

Saloojee said some of the year’s greatest highlights include the launch of the Badger, the South African Army’s new infantry combat vehicle, and the first successful deployment of the Rooivalk in active service in support of peacekeeping operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Some 2 000 jobs are expected to be created from the Badger vehicle, 238 of which will be delivered to the South African Army over the next decade.

Denel Land Systems is also involved in a smaller project (part of Project Warrior), which involves upgrading the SA National Defence Force’s R4 assault rifles with Picatinny rails, sights and other accessories.

Another highlight was the move into space science, with Denel creating the Spaceteq division. This was inducted as a member of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) in September. In July 2013, satellite manufacturer SunSpace was incorporated into Denel Dynamics, creating Spaceteq. Denel said that developments are already underway for Spaceteq’s first project, a multispectral, high resolution, earth observation satellite called EO-Sat1 for operation by the SA National Space Agency (SANSA) by 2017.

“We made huge progress with our strategic alliances on missile and guided munition developments with international partners. We signed new agreements for work packages in the aerostructure business and launched an international centre of excellence for MRO work during South Africa’s historic hosting of the BRICS Summit,” Saloojee said of 2013.

Expanding on the guided munitions developments, Tawazun Dynamics, a joint venture between Denel and Tawazun Holdings, was awarded a R5 billion contract by the UAE armed forces for Al Tariq precision guided bombs for its Mirage 2000-9 fighters in November.

Also on the guided munition front, Denel successfully tested its land-based Umkhonto surface-to-air-missile, destroying targets at 20 kilometre ranges during a series of tests in the southern Cape. The Umkhonto SAM system was developed by Denel Dynamics for the SA Navy’s Meko A200 class frigates, and is in service in both Block 1 and Block 2 versions. This ground-based launcher now provides an alternative that can also be used by the SA Army’s for Phase 2 of its Ground-based Air Defence System (GBADS), according to Denel.

On the missile front, Denel Dynamics is working towards final development and qualification of the A-Darter fifth generation air-to-air missile, being developed together with Brazil. The company is also working on the future Marlin missile project, aimed at establishing a common platform for long-range all weather air-to-air and surface-to-air defence.

On the aviation side, Denel Aviation is working on external fuel tanks for the Rooivalk combat helicopter. Denel said that the project was revived about four years ago when most of the Rooivalk development was completed. The external fuel tanks are needed for the Air Force’s long range escort missions where one or two Rooivalks fly alongside other aircraft such as the Oryx to provide protection. The external tanks of fuel add about two additional hours of flying. The manufacture of production tanks for the Rooivalk squadron is expected to be contracted within this financial year as almost all testing has already been done.

Also on the aviation side, Denel this year redelivered two Botswana Defence Force AS350B helicopters after their 12 year inspection and is working on upgrading six SA Air Force C-130 Hercules with auxiliary power units and environmental control systems. Denel Aviation also handed over a Puma helicopter to the Kenyan Air Force after maintenance work.

Denel Aviation earlier this year partnered with Russian Helicopters to provide a local maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility for Russian Helicopters manufactured rotorcraft. Mi-8/17 aircraft are being catered for, but other models may be serviced at a later date.

On the manufacturing side, Denel Aerostructures received a third multi-million rand contract for the manufacturing of critical parts for the Airbus A400M strategic airlifter. The approximate R157 million contract (over eight years) will see Denel Aerostructures manufacture tailplane components.

Meanwhile, Denel Dynamics continues to support SANParks in the Kruger National Park by providing a Seeker UAV for anti-poaching operations. Mechem also supports anti-poaching operations by supplying dogs and handlers to track poachers.

Denel Pretoria Metal Pressings (PMP) this year commissioned and installed thirteen new CNC machines, worth R13 million, to assist with 30 x 175 mm ammunition production. The new machines will be able to make up to 500 of these rounds a day, meeting the requirements for the Badger vehicle. The requirement is to manufacture a volume of up to 100 000 rounds a year, something that can achieved with the introduction of the new CNC machines.

The development of the ammunition took place in tandem with the development of the 30 mm Cam-gun for the Badger, done by Denel Land Systems. The 8X8 Badger infantry combat vehicle will be equipped with a 30 mm cam-operated cannon and a breechloaded 60 mm mortar, both of which are integrated into the turret variants manufactured by DLS.

Phaladi Petje, CEO of PMP, said the commissioning of the new machines enhances PMP’s capability to export more medium calibre ammunition and to bring in valued foreign currency.

Mechem has also had a busy year, receiving contracts from Kenya and Zambia amongst others for dog training and dogs, which will sniff out explosives.

Saloojee said Denel wants to move from being a good company to a great company. “I have no doubt that we can achieve this if we continue on the current trajectory.” Part of this trajectory is Denel’s plan to grow its revenue to more than R7 billion over the next five years and create an order book more than five times its turnover. Denel is modernising its product offerings as a result, especially in the fields of artillery, unmanned aerial vehicles, ammunition and aviation MRO services.

20 November 2013 by Guy Martin - defenceWeb

Denel Land Systems showed off a wide range of its products at its Lyttelton facilities on Tuesday, showcasing proven technology, like its G6 artillery and R4 assault rifles, and new hardware, such as its Badger armoured vehicle, 60 mm breech loading mortar and 105 mm howitzer.

Stephan Burger, CEO of Denel Land Systems (DLS), said recent restructuring and acquisitions have broadened the company’s range of products and services, confirming its role as a strategic land systems partner to the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). “We are extremely proud of what we have and who we are,” he told journalists at a briefing yesterday.

DLS said the strength of the company lies in its ability to meet South Africa’s entire landward defence needs – from infantry weapons and mortars to armoured vehicles, artillery and logistical support. The fact that Denel is now profitable and not making a loss any more further strengthens its ability to support the SANDF. “Our purpose is not only to make money – it is to support the strategic needs of the SANDF in terms of combat systems. We are fulfilling that role but we can’t do that by relying on South African business.”

As a result, some 80% of DLS turnover comes from export orders. Burger said that DLS is now a “mature and confident company which can build on a reputation and experience of more than 60 years. The next step will be to grow our share in the global markets – especially in our niche capabilities in artillery systems.”

Burger said that Denel’s G6 and G5 howitzers still set the global standards for long-range artillery. “The G6 was ahead of its time when it was first launched in 1987. Through our continuous research and investment in the gun we have ensured it remains ahead of the pack as the most versatile and reliable artillery system in its class. We are still outgunning all our global competitors by a wide margin.”

He told defenceWeb that DLS was in negotiations with a couple of customers for a “substantial number” of these weapons, which are in high demand.

On the artillery side, DLS yesterday showcased its 105 mm howitzer, which is still under development and waiting for an order so this can be completed. Burger told defenceWeb that the gun was more of a technology demonstrator and is taking a back seat to the G5 and G6, which are important products for the company. The 105 mm gun has a range of 30 km, versus the average of 18 km for other weapons of that calibre, Denel said. Burger noted that the 105 mm is important to Denel’s long-term planning as a next generation weapon.

Two of the main areas that Denel Land Systems is focusing on is artillery for export and the maintenance of the SANDF’s B-vehicle fleet. With upcoming contracts, DLS expects turnover to reach into the billions of rands soon.

DLS exhibited the smaller side of its range yesterday, including long range and regular 81 and 60 mm mortars, SS77 and mini-SS machineguns, automatic grenade launchers, 20 mm cannons and R4 assault rifles. Displayed on the Badger armoured vehicle was the 60 mm breech loading mortar. This design is water cooled, allowing a high rate of fire. Burger said it was one of a few such breech loading designs in the world but the only type of its size.

Denel has upgraded the R4 with new furniture able to fit a wide variety of attachments, such as laser and infrared sights, red dot sights, Milkor underbarrel 40 mm grenade launchers, shock prodders and other add-ons. The company has received orders for several hundred upgraded R4s for the South African military for evaluation as a subcomponent of its African Warrior programme. Burger said that occasional small orders for items like the SS77 and mortars are received from places like the United Arab Emirates and Columbia, for example.

Also on the small arms side, DLS has partnered with Swiss firearm company Brugger & Thomet (B&T), with the two companies sharing technology and product lines. Burger said the partnership was a cheap way of getting new capability.

Sales of Denel’s GI-2 20 mm cannon have been progressing well and the company says it has seen a resurgence in demand for this calibre of weapon, particularly for naval applications. Burger said there was a lot of interest in rapid fire cannons from the Far East. Denel recently supplied a number of 20 mm cannons and double SS77 machinegun mounts to Kenya for its Puma helicopters.

Also on display was the NTW-20 anti-material weapon, able to destroy high value targets such as bunkers, command and control stations and stationary aircraft with pin-point accuracy over distances of more than 1 200 meters. The 14.5 mm variant was used by a South African soldier to snipe M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo earlier this year, with one kill taking place at a range of 2 125 metres – one of the longest successful sniper kills in history.

On the vehicle side, Denel Land Systems demonstrated its new Badger infantry combat vehicle, which has just been ordered for the South African Army. The first of 238 Badgers will be delivered to the SA Army in the fourth quarter of 2016. Burger said the Badger order was “absolutely needed” for many reasons, one of which was to support the South African defence industry.

A number of different Casspir armoured personnel carriers were on display, including old and new variants in different configurations, such as ambulance and mine clearance. Specialist de-mining company Mechem, part of DLS, manufactures the Casspir vehicle, used by the United Nations in various peace missions.

Mechem is one of the few demining companies accredited by the United Nations and is currently active in post-conflict zones in 11 African countries. Its specially-trained sniffer dogs are able to detect landmines, drugs and contraband. They were impressively demonstrated yesterday, with the dogs detecting explosives, drugs and landmines and also tackling a ‘bad guy’. Denel said that its dogs are involved in anti-rhino poaching operations in the Kruger Park, as they are used for tracking and detection.