Jeff's Helicopter Philes

Denel competes in the global market and the importance of this part of the business is evident in exports approaching 50% of total sales. The company is not only favourably placed in the market as prime contractor for systems and products in selected areas but also as supplier of subsystems and components in other areas. With the necessary technology and competencies in hand, Denel is ready to compete internationally against manufacturers from the USA, UK and Europe. Denel has certain characteristics that give it a competitive advantage against other international manufacturers.

Some of these capabilities need to be highlighted. In particular, the cost-effective development and rapid prototyping capabilities that the South African industry has built up through the enforced multi-skilling of engineers because of limited skills resources.

Denel's development facilities are world-class state-of-the-art, particularly with respect to testing, evaluation and qualification from component through subsystems all the way to major system integration as well as operational test and evaluation of which OTB is a prime example.

The South African defence industry, in which Denel is a major role player, is recognized as an important gateway into the African market and it is no surprise that there is a growing interest among overseas manufacturers in the Africa Aerospace & Defence Exhibition which is held annually in South Africa.