Denel and Alenia sign co-operation MOA

by Leon Engelbrecht, Defence Systems Daily's Southern Africa correspondent

South Africa's Denel group has signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Italy's Alenia Aerospazia to promote industrial co-operation and joint activities in the field of military transport aircraft marketing in Africa.

The companies in a joint statement said the agreement would see them find ways of cooperating in the customisation, modification, systems upgrading, conversion, certification, marketing and logistics support of Alenia's G222 tactical transport aircraft and its derivatives. These include the C27J cargo transport, developed with the US Lockheed-Martin company as part of an offset agreement for Italy's purchase of C130 Hercules aircraft.

The twin-engined C27J is in many respects the little brother of the new four-engined C130J, which has more powerful engines than older models and a redesigned "glass", or electronic, cockpit, without old-style electromechanical dials and controls.

"The two companies also agree to identify and similarly explore other possible projects within the business scopes of Alenia and Denel Aviation, with a view to incorporate such projects within the portfolio of their strategic alliance, in order to derive mutual business benefits," the companies said in a joint statement issued at the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget.

"The agreement is the first step for a long-term partnership that will contribute to the consolidation of Alenia Aerospazio presence in Africa and represents for Denel Aviation a further achievement in the international aerospace scenario."

The statement did not place any value on the agreement.

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