Denel Aviation has added another arrow to its quiver with the Kempton Park-based Denel business unit being given authorisation to repair and service Super Puma helicopters in southern Africa.
This is in terms of a new contract with Eurocopter, the world’s leading civil and military helicopter manufacturer.
The latest contract includes the overhaul of specialised helicopter transmission systems on Puma and Super Puma helicopters, rotor blades on Super Pumas and also extends Denel Aviation’s relationship as a Eurocopter-approved repair and overhaul centre in the Southern African Development Community and Kenya. This permits Denel Aviation to repair and service BO-105, Alouette and Puma helicopters. It is also approved to service the SA Police Service’s AS350 Squirrel helicopters.
Denel Aviation’s services on these Eurocopter rotary-winged aircraft will now extend from light to deep maintenance, inspections, servicing and repairs of individual components and up to complete aircraft overhauls. It covers both civil and military helicopters.
Eurocopter Southern Africa chief executive Fabrice Cagnat said the expanded and extended agreement recognised “Denel’s proven rotorcraft engineering expertise and its reputation for top quality and competitively-priced service. We are certain our customers and operators can have full confidence in Denel Aviation to service and repair their helicopters”.
Denel Aviation chief executive Mike Kgobe sees the agreement as “a huge vote of confidence in Denel Aviation’s capabilities by a world leader in helicopter design and manufacture. It underlines the excellence of South Africa’s aerospace sector and opens yet another chapter in Denel’s resurgence”.
There are currently over 250 Eurocopter helicopters in the region, serving with private and corporate civil operators and also with military, law enforcement, emergency rescue and other para-public organisations.
