Zwelakhe Ntshepe, the Group Executive Business Development and Corporate Affairs of Denel, says this is the largest export contract in the company’s history and will result in a significant cash injection and job creation in the local industry.
The turrets will be exported to Malaysia over a seven year period – with the first consignment ready for delivery in January 2013.
Ntshepe said the final negotiations with Malaysia were concluded at the recent Defence Services Asia Exhibition held in Kuala Lumpur, together with DRB-Hicom (Deftech), Denel’s local partner in Malaysia.
The CEO of Denel Land Systems (DLS), Stephan Burger, said his company will be responsible for a number of strategic components that have been designed and developed at its campus in Lyttelton:
- 69 two man turrets fitted with the South African GI30 30mm main gun.
- 54 missile turrets equipped with the GI30 30mm gun and Denel Dynamics Ingwe anti-tank missile system. The order also includes the supply of 216 laser-guided Ingwe missiles.
- 54 remote control weapons systems.
Burger said the production of the first consignment of turrets is on schedule and will be delivered in January 2013 for trials by the Malaysian Army.
The turrets and weapon systems will be integrated on the Malaysian Army’s 8 X 8 vehicles which are based on the Pars armoured vehicle platforms (Photo) from the Turkish company, FNSS.
Through the contract, Denel is participating in the Malaysian Economic Enhancement program which entails the production and assembly of the turrets in Malaysia. The agreement provides a platform to transfer weapon system integration technology to Deftech in order to create a sustainable capability in Malaysia.
Burger said the contract opens the door to future industry cooperation between the two countries including on-going maintenance and future upgrades of the turrets.
Riaz Saloojee, the Group Chief Executive said “I am excited by this contract as it confirms Denel’s position as a global player in the defence manufacturing industry and will lead to a growing interest from the international community in the quality and range of products and services produced by us.”
