Denel - Ammunition, Safety and Arming Devices

Denel Munitions is a South African company owned by Denel (Pty) Ltd. It is an integrated producer of ammunition and associated chemical products. Its products range from small calibre military and commercial rounds to medium and large calibre ammunition, including artillery projectiles, modular charges and pyrotechnic carriers, mortar bombs and various subsystems.

MILITARY PROPELLANTS

The company also supplies critical subsystems such as propellants, warheads and safety and arming devices for Denel Dynamics' range of missiles and guided weapons.

Denel Munitions comprises seven plants in three primary locations across South Africa, including the Western Cape province, the North West province and the Gauteng province.

A significant highlight achieved during last year was a BAE Systems contract to Denel Munitions' PMP plant for the delivery of brass cups worth R304 million over the next three years. This was the largest in PMP's 68-year history.

30MM SOFT STEEL AMMUNITION ROUNDS

The company completed development of the 30mm ADEN round for use in the BAE Systems Hawk fighter-trainer aircraft. The soft-steel driving band incorporated into the PMP design ensures much cleaner barrels than those of competitive products. This resulted in Denel Munitions getting its first international breakthrough with an order for 150,000 ADEN rounds.

MISSILE ROCKET MOTORS

Denel Munitions forms a critical part of the A-Darter air-to-air missile programme for the South African and Brazilian air forces in that it is responsible for the development of a state-of-the-art rocket motor, warhead and safety-and-arming device.

Other successes during the past year were the opening of the Swedish market for Denel Munitions with minefield breaching systems and a contract from Belgium's Forges De Zeebrugge company to develop a new 70mm rocket propellant grain. Once completed Denel Munitions will become the preferred supplier of rocket propellant grains for this product.

QUALITY 40MM GRENADES

Whilst Denel Munitions is a global supplier of quality 40mm grenades, artillery products remain a key focus area in terms of Denel Munitions' own investments. The company's Igala 105mm HE (High Explosive) artillery projectile was type qualified in the US under the US Army's advanced artillery (ACAAP) programme.

Although the military ammunition market is highly competitive and price sensitive, Denel Munitions has succeeded in breaking into sophisticated markets mainly due to unique and state-of-the-art products.

INSENSITIVE MUNITIONS

The emphasis for Denel Munitions is to find niche markets with innovative products. The international and local market continues to demand less sensitive ammunition products, or Insensitive Munitions (IM). Denel has made significant progress in this regard and several technical solutions to this very challenging problem have been developed.

105MM AND 155MM AMMUNITION

In keeping with Denel's macro strategy to form alliances, Denel Munitions partnered with General Dynamics Tactical Ordnance Systems (GD-OTS) to market 105mm and 155mm ammunition for the US market.

Denel Munitions' strategic alliance on artillery modular charges (MCS) with Nitrochemie, allows these two leading manufacturers of MCS in the world to share technologies to develop new products.