Denel has joined forces with local specialist company, GEW Technologies, owned by Airbus, to collaborate on future electronic warfare programmes.
The new alliance will significantly strengthen South Africa’s capabilities in an area that has become a primary feature of modern defence systems, says the Group CEO of Denel, Riaz Saloojee. “We are combining the experience, reputation and resources of Denel with the specialist technology and expertise offered by GEW Technologies to create an alliance that will best serve the strategic interests of South Africa.”
Electronic warfare technology has been singled out in the 2014 Defence Review as a “key technology domain” and a “sovereign capability”, which must be under the control of local South African companies.
Carel van der Merwe, CEO of GEW Technologies, says the company has more than 40 years of experience in the design and production of sophisticated communication monitoring, countermeasures and integrated security systems. “We are looking forward to work with Denel in an alliance that heralds a new era in electronic warfare programmes in South Africa,” he says.
The company’s ties with Airbus Defence and Space will add the international experience and expertise of Europe’s leading manufacturer of defence technology. Denel already has a strong working relationship with Airbus through its role as a top tier supplier of aerostructures for the A400M, the world’s most advanced military airlifter.
“This agreement confirms the trust that Airbus has in the capabilities of both Denel and GEW Technologies and will strengthen the relationship between our companies,” said Andreas Huelle, the Head of Electronic Warfare at Airbus Defence and Space.
The recently established Denel Integrated Systems and Management will manage the implementation of the agreement and drive the projects and programmes that will form the core of its activities.
CEO Ismail Dockrat says Denel ISM was primarily created to be a partner of the defence and security sectors in the design, management, integration and through-life support of complex systems.
“Electronic warfare will be a primary future area of focus for the SANDF to rapidly expand its current capabilities and implement counter-measures to combat potential threats to the security of the country.
This partnership between Denel ISM and GEW Technologies will play a leadership role to co-ordinate different initiatives in the field, advise decision-makers on the acquisition of the most appropriate systems, ensure the end-users are adequately trained and provide ongoing support, maintenance and upgrading of the systems,” says Dockrat.
