Denel targeting ASEAN decision-makers in Bangkok

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With military modernisation programmes for south eastern Asian nations in full swing, Denel is confident its presence at the Thailand Defence and Security Exhibition will bring rewards.

The exhibition opened in Bangkok yesterday and Denel chief executive Riaz Salojee said the presence of the State-owned defence industry conglomerate in Thailand was a good fit to south-east Asia – “one of our primary target markets, along with Africa and the Middle East”.

The Thailand exhibition is the 10th of its kind and more than 400 defence manufacturers from 20 countries are showing the latest in products and technology to potential buyers from the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Denel personnel will build on the strong diplomatic and trade relations that exist between South Africa and ASEAN countries. Both China and India are members of BRICS [Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa] and South Africa has good relations with Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Korea and Indonesia, Salojee said.

Earlier this year Denel Land Systems (DLS) entered into a contract with Malaysia to supply a range of turrets and integrated weapons systems for that country’s infantry combat vehicles.
“Apart from boosting the Denel profile in the region it has also emphasised the quality and versatility of products carrying the Denel name,” he said.

One of the DLS products on display in Bangkok is the GA-1 20x80mm multi-purpose automatic cannon. This rapid fire weapon has proven its effectiveness in both landward defence and on helicopters. A naval-mounted version is seen as a deterrent in efforts to combat piracy.

According to DLS, the GA-1 can be effectively deployed alongside its NTW-20 anti-materiel weapon. This is effective for the destruction of high-value targets including vessels, refineries, bunkers and radar installations over a distance in excess of 2 000 metres.

DLS will also be marketing the latest version of its Casspir mine-protected vehicle which, according to the company, sets new standards in protection, power, manoeuvrability and comfort for crew and passengers.

With Denel acknowledged as a global leader in artillery systems and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as well as contributing to some of the most advanced missile development programmes currently underway, worldwide military attending the Bangkok exhibition will also be able to find out more about the Umkhonto surface-to-air missile. A new version destroyed targets at a range of 20 km during a recent series of tests in the Western Cape observed by local and international experts.