Article Posted on : - Sep 27, 2012

CITY OF TSHWANE (BNS): South African company Denel has formed a Joint Venture with Abu Dhabi-based Tawazun Holding to manufacture precision-guided weapon systems.

The Joint Venture named as 'Tawazun Dynamics' is owned 51% by Tawazun Holding and 49% by Denel. The announcement was made at the 7th Africa Aerospace and Defence Exhibition (AAD) held at the Air Force Base Waterkloof in Tshwane.

The first customer for the initial system will be the UAE Air Force (UAE AF) and Tawazun Dynamics will both supply precision-guided weapon systems as well as product system management services to the UAE AF and other international clients.

Denel Dynamics is a recognised global leader in the design, development and manufacturing of tactical missiles, precision-guided weapons, unmanned aerial vehicle systems (UAVS) and integrated air defence solutions.

The company is also successfully partnering with Brazil in developing the A-Darter air-to-air-missile, with production scheduled to start at the end of 2014.

Tawazun Holdings is a strategic investment holding company focused on defence and specialised manufacturing, owned by the Government of Abu Dhabi.

The Tawazun Dynamics production facility will be located in the Tawazun Industrial Park in Al-Ajban, on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi.

Dene's Chief Executive Riaz Saloojee said, the company has enjoyed a very productive long-term relationship with the United Arab Emirates and the new company will help to strengthen and deepen these ties.