• South African state-owned arms maker Denel is showcasing its latest advanced weapons at the World Defence Show in Saudi Arabia this week.
• The company has said that it is seeking new customers in “fast-growing markets in the Middle East.”
• Israel is expected to spend $8 billion more on weapons in 2024, while the US enacts airstrikes in the region as tensions in the region escalate.

In the midst of a historic escalation of conflict in the Middle East, South African arms maker Denel is this week heading to showcase its products at this year’s World Defence Show held, coincidentally, in Saudi Arabia.

The convention is set to be held from 4th to 8th February, where Denel is expected to display its technologically advanced killing machines before defence personnel from different nations, industry analysts and the international media.

“It is important for Denel to have a strong presence in the fast-growing markets in the Middle East,” said interim group CEO Mike Kgobe.

These fast-growing markets include Israel, which is expected to increase its defence spending by $8 billion in 2024, according to a Bloomberg report.

Israel has been ordered by the International Court of Justice to try its very best to not commit genocide in the Gaza Strip and report its efforts to reduce civilian casualties to the government of South Africa, following the 26th January verdict.

Denel is a state-owned company and provides weapons to the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). In 2022, the company received R3.4 billion from Treasury to ensure its business becomes stabilised. That same year it managed to pay a salary backlog it was accumulating, as per Defence Web.

Aside from Israel, the end of January saw escalating tensions between the United States and Arab nations like Yemen, Iran and Jordan. The US military has been engaging in airstrikes on allegedly Iranian-backed Houthi militants in the region. American soldiers have also been killed in retaliatory strikes, as analysts believe the region is inching closer and closer to a wider and more deadly war.

One product Denel is promoting at the exhibition is its infrared-guided missile systems, such as its “Umkhonto-IR missile” which it says has been deployed by different armed forces globally in the past.

“It is launched from vessels and a ground-based launcher and provides all-round defence against incoming missiles and aircraft. The Umkhonto-Extended Infra-Red missile adds further range, speed and operational ceiling, improving its performance and ability to defend forces on the ground,” reads a statement from Denel seen by SA News.

The company has also been working on anti-material rifles, self-propelled howitzers aboard artillery trucks, and other drones and “state-of-the-art” weapon systems.

According to Kgobe, Denel is interested in finding new customers and regions in which to sell its weapons. “We want to build on our reputation for leading-edge products and systems and the World Defence Show is a unique opportunity to gain a foothold in new markets,” he explained.

Another South African firm present at the exhibition is Milkor, whose Milkor 380 drones are capable of travelling over 35 hours in a single unmanned flight across more than 2000 km and have a maximum payload of 400 kg for “opportunistic engagement operations.”

Milkor presented the 380, in the header image above, at the Defence Show from its Saudi Arabian division.

[Image – Milkor]