South Africa’s Denel Thursday said it joined forces with local specialist company GEW Technologies, owned by Airbus Group, to collaborate on future electronic warfare programs.
The new alliance will significantly strengthen South Africa’s capabilities in an area that has become a primary feature of modern defense systems, said the Group CEO of Denel, Riaz Saloojee. “We are combining the experience, reputation and resources of Denel with the specialist technology and expertise offered by GEW Technologies to create an alliance that will best serve the strategic interests of South Africa.”
Electronic warfare technology has been singled out in the 2014 Defense Review as a “key technology domain” and a “sovereign capability” that must be under the control of local South African companies.
Carel van der Merwe, CEO of GEW Technologies, said the company has more than 40 years of experience in the design and production of sophisticated communication monitoring, countermeasures and integrated security systems. “We are looking forward to work with Denel in an alliance that heralds a new era in electronic warfare programs in South Africa,” he said.
The company’s ties with Airbus Defense and Space will add the international experience and expertise of Europe’s leading manufacturer of defense technology, Denel said March 12. Denel already has a strong working relationship with Airbus through its role as a top tier supplier of aerostructures for the A400M military airlifter.
“This agreement confirms the trust that Airbus has in the capabilities of both Denel and GEW Technologies and will strengthen the relationship between our companies,” said Andreas Huelle, head of Electronic Warfare at Airbus Defense and Space.
The recently established Denel Integrated Systems and Management will manage the implementation of the agreement and drive the projects and programs that will form the core of its activities.
The CEO, Ismail Dockrat, said Denel ISM was primarily created to be a partner of the defense and security sectors in the design, management, integration and through-life support of complex systems.
“Electronic warfare will be a primary future area of focus for the SANDF to rapidly expand its current capabilities and implement counter-measures to combat potential threats to the security of the country,” Dockrat said.
“This partnership between Denel ISM and GEW Technologies will play a leadership role to coordinate different initiatives in the field, advise decision makers on the acquisition of the most appropriate systems, ensure that the end-users are adequately trained and provide ongoing support, maintenance and upgrading of the systems,” he said.