South Africa - Airbus and Denel Aerostructures sign landmark agreement:

A400M military transport

Denel Aerostructures (DAe) and  Airbus Military have signed a new agreement for the manufacturing of components for the A400M military transport aircraft, strengthening the company’s position in the international defense environment and confirming it as one of South Africa’s strategic public assets.

Addressing senior government officials, diplomats and Airbus executives before the signing ceremony, Denel Aerostructures Chief Executive Officer Ismail Dockrat, said the historic signing was an event of great significance not only to DAe, but also the broader South African defence industry.  It not only confirmed the company’s growing stature in the international defence environment, it also showed the company as a reliable participant in multi-national manufacturing initiatives life the A400M programme.

Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba said the company employed some of the most highly-skilled technicians and engineers in the country. The government considered it a national strategic asset and in this regard it was necessary to foster its growth and development. Gigaba said the allocation for R700 million in the 2012 budget further underlined this position.

Read more: SABC News.com - Airbus and Denel Aerostructures sign landmark agreement:Monday 17 September 2012