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Denel is delighted to host the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and the National Defence Industry Council (NDIC) for their inaugural ministerial workshop today.  One of the issues to be discussed is the Defence Industry Strategy document designed to provide guidelines for productive government-industry cooperation and partnership.

The NDIC was launched in March 2016, following recommendations as envisioned in Chapter 15 of the Defence Review 2014. Its main focus is to ensure that the local defence industry receives commendable government support to develop a footprint in the global defence market while simultaneously creating jobs and growing the economy. Additionally, it aims to assist the defence industry build a strong skills base needed for the sector to succeed.

The Defence Industry Strategy is the product of wide-ranging consultations between government departments and the defence industry.  The strategy contains provisions to stimulate local manufacturing including minimum requirements for procurement of goods and services from local, black-owned enterprises.

“The strategy will open the defence industry for expanded participation by women, the youth and military veterans, it will also promote the growth of innovation in the South African defence sector and contribute to the building of a sustainable and profitable industry,” says the Acting Group CEO, Zwelakhe Ntshepe.

“Denel has a strong track record for supporting local suppliers and providing training to emerging, black-owned companies through its supplier development programme, says Ntshepe.

The function will also include an exhibition of Denel’s well-known products in the landward, aeronautics, cyberspace and missile sectors and takes at the Denel Land Systems campus in Lyttelton.

Issued by Denel