Denel makes push into Eastern Europe

South African defence industrial group Denel has announced that it will have a strong presence at next month’s International Defence Industry Exhibition, in the city of Kielce in Poland. The exhibition is known as MSPO for short, from the initials of its name in Polish.

“Eastern and Central Europe are important target markets for Denel, especially in the field of landward defence, armoured vehicles, mine-protected vehicles and infantry weapon systems,” affirmed Denel acting Group CEO Zwelakhe Ntshepe in a media statement. Five companies from the State-owned group will be attending the show. These will be Denel PMP, Denel Overberg Test Range (OTR), Denel Land Systems (DLS), Denel Vehicle Systems (DVS) and LMT.

In its statement, Denel pointed out that many countries in Central and Eastern Europe were embarking on defence modernisation programmes “to meet the changing geopolitical environment”. The group is looking at opportunities in at least eight European and other countries. These include Italy, Kazakhstan, Romania, Serbia and Sweden.

Denel PMP will be displaying its PAW-20 personal assault weapon, which can fire 20 mm grenades with great accuracy over a range of 400 m. It will also be displaying its ranges of small- and medium-calibre ammunition.

DLS will be marketing its artillery systems, combat vehicle turrets and infantry combat vehicles. DVS and LMT will both be showcasing their mine-protection technology and military vehicles.

Denel OTR will be highlighting and marketing its services. The range is recognised as one of the most advanced test facilities for aircraft weapon systems, unmanned aerial vehicles and missiles in the southern hemisphere. In recent years a number of European air forces have made use of Denel OTR’s facilities.

This will be the twenty-fifth edition of MSPO and the second year in a row that Denel has participated with a display. The exhibition will run from September 4 to September 8. Last year, it was attended by in excess of 600 exhibitors from 46 countries and was visited by about 22 000 people. Denel described it as the “most prominent” such exhibition in Central and Eastern Europe.