South Africa’s aerospace and defence industry will be well represented at the DSEI exhibition in the United Kingdom this week. With 34 companies set to attend, the event will also see the launch of the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2020 exhibition.
This year’s Defence & Security Equipment International (DSEI) runs from 10 to 13 September at the ExCel Exhibition Centre in London. South Africa will have its largest national pavilion yet, and is amongst the top ten biggest international pavilions at DSEI 2019.
According to the South African Aerospace, Maritime and Defence Export Council (SAAMDEC), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-funded pavilion has 578 square metres of space, showcasing 34 South African companies.
Of these 34, ten will be participating at DSEI for the first time, and 20 of the companies are small to medium and macro-sized enterprises (SMMEs). Many other South African companies will be attending DSEI, but not exhibiting.
Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Thabang Makwetla will head the South African delegation to London where he is scheduled to meet various international VIP delegations as well as VIP delegations from the continent at the South African pavilion.
“Exports are critical to the South African defence industry as it accounts for almost 70% of revenue; it is therefore critical for South Africa to participate in international platforms such as DSEI 2019,” SAAMDEC said. The Export Council coordinates the South African pavilion along with the Department of Trade and Industry.
Companies exhibiting at the South African pavilion offer a wide range of products and services. These include Alaris Antennas (antennas), Aerodyne Research and Manufacturing (parachutes), Armscor (defence materiel procurement), Bayside Marine (boatbuilders), Cape Aerospace Technologies (micro jet engines), Cybicom Atlas Defence (defence electronics and naval equipment), DCD Group (armoured vehicles), Denel (artillery, munitions, missiles, aerostructures, UAVs, armoured vehicles), Desert Wolf Consulting (unmanned aerial vehicles, trailers and surveillance systems), ExploSpot Systems (explosion detection and mitigation systems), Floida Engineering Services (radar and cyber security), Fuchs Electronics (fuses), Lantern Engineering (communications, technology products and signals intelligence), Milkor (grenade launchers, armoured vehicles, UAVs and cyber defence), MND Technologies (communications), Rapid Mobile (communications), Redeployable Camp Systems (tents and camp systems), Reutech (turrets, radars and communications), Rippel Effect Systems (grenade launchers), S-Plane Automation (UAVs and control software), Shrike Marine (cables, power supplies), South African Aerospace, Maritime and Defence Export Council, Sovereignty Systems (radar and electronic warfare), Special Vehicle Innovation (SVI – armoured vehicles), Tellumat (UAVs and components), and Veecraft Marine (naval boats).
A large number of South African companies will be offering their body armour and uniform capabilities and these include Brits Nonwoven (textiles), Bullet Proofing Technology (armour), Cornwall Hill Industries (safety equipment and clothing), Kimona Manufacturers (protective clothing), Imperial Armour (body armour, protective clothing and uniforms), Stepahead Manufacturing (webbing, badges, uniforms), Zebra Sun (textiles) and Zero Industries (life jackets, diving equipment, wetsuits etc.).
Also taking place during DSEI 2019 will be the official launch of the 11th edition of AAD on 12 September at the South African Pavilion. AAD is Africa’s largest aerospace and defence exhibition. Held every two years, the next edition will take place at Air Force Base Waterkloof in Tshwane between 16 and 20 September 2020.