Rooivalk 2 under consideration

South Africa's Denel group is studying the possibility of bringing the Rooivalk attack helicopter back into production in an updated variant.
Sources involved in considering the future of the Rooivalk have suggested the Rooivalk 2 might be fitted with the new EO/IR turret developed by Airbus Optronics - formerly Denel Optronics - that includes both a laser designator and a laser beam generator for beam-riding missiles such as the Ingwe.
There has also been discussion of adding an air-to-air missile for self-defence.
Two countries have already expressed interest in the Rooivalk 2.
janes

First flight of South African aircraft AHRLAC to made its maiden flight soon

South African Paramount unveiled a light attack and reconnaissance aircraft called the advanced high-performance reconnaissance light aircraft (AHRLAC) on 10 July in Pretoria.
The twin-boomed, singled-engined AHRLAC – launched nearly three years ago – has completed initial high-speed taxi tests, and first flight is expected “shortly”.
The 3,800kg (8,380lb) type will become the first aircraft designed and built in South Africa since the Denel Rooivalk, an armed helicopter launched during the Apartheid era.
The maiden flight of the experimental demonstrator should be followed within months by an advanced prototype.
Paramount plans to offer the aircraft to the market early next year, with deliveries possible by 2016. AHRLAC is aimed at a developing market among military and paramilitary groups for a low-cost surveillance and attack platform. The South African air force is also monitoring the programme.
flightglobal

Rooivalk attack helo makes combat debut in DRC

The Rooivalk attack helicopter fired its first shots in anger on 4 November. For their mission in the DRC, the helicopters are painted in a UN-white finish.
The Denel Rooivalk attack helicopter made its combat debut on 4 November, while conducting armed overwatch and close air support flights of UN personnel in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Two South African Air Force (SAAF) Rooivalks fired multiple 70 mm rocket salvos against M23 rebel bunkers close to the Rwandan border, while operating on behalf of the UN Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO).
The Roovivalks destroyed one rebel 14.5 mm anti-aircraft gun and dispersed forces in the area.
The SAAF deployed three Rooivalk helicopters to the DRC in late October, clearing them to begin operations on the day that this first contact took place.
South Africa fields 11 Rooivalk helicopters in all, operated by 16 Squadron based at Air Force Base Bloemspruit. It has previously declined to offer them for UN peacekeeping efforts in Africa because they were not fully operational. However, this changed in March when the fleet was brought up to a common Block 1F combat capable standard.
janes

SAAF Rooivalk looks set for DRC deployment

Just on 30 years after development work started on a home-grown attack helicopter, South Africa’s Rooivalk seems set for its first operational deployment.
This is the inference drawn from a photograph circulating on social media of a Rooivalk with its customary camouflaged fuselage replaced by white paint. The photo was taken at AFB Bloemspruit, home to the SA Air Force’s 16 Squadron, which operates 11 Rooivalks.
The sighting of the white combat support helicopter comes after SA National Defence Force (SANDF) Joint Operations Chief Lieutenant General derrick Mgwebi in August said South Africa had no say in whether the Rooivalk would be deployed to support the UN Forward Intervention Brigade (FIB) in the DRC.
At the time of publication no official confirmation of the Rooivalk DRC deployment had been received from the South African National Defence Force’s.
defenceweb

South Africa’s Denel wins A400M component work

Airbus Military has awarded South Africa's Denel Aerostructures a contract to make structural components for the A400M tactical transport aircraft.
The deal covers ribs, spars, and swords for the aircraft's tailplan.
Denel will produce the components at its Johannesburg factory and plans to deliver the first shipset in March 2014.
Airbus Military to say whether the deal suggests that Pretoria will order the A400M. In November 2009, Pretoria cancelled an order for eight A400Ms, citing concerns about cost and programme delays.
Airbus Military said that the two parties have moved beyond this, and Airbus Military remains convinced that the A400M would be an important "strategic capability" for South Africa.
flightglobal

Denel working with Saudi Arabia for armed Seeker 400 UAV

A Paris-based journal has said Denel intends to sell Saudi Arabia drone aircraft capable of firing missiles. This has been a capability the United States has denied the Middle Eastern nation and would thrust South Africa into a politically-fraught market.
In 2010, Denel started dropping hints that the new version of its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the Seeker, could potentially offer more than just reconnaissance. Now it seems the weapons manufacturer has found its first customer for drone aircraft capable of blowing up a house or vehicle with few unintended casualties.

mg.co.za

Final Rooivalk Handover Cements Relationship Between Denel and SAAF

CEO of Denel Aviation says the acceptance of the locally developed combat support helicopter marks the culmination of a 26 year partnership between the SAAF and Denel. “We took this proudly South African aircraft through all its stages – from design to manufacturing, upgrading and retrofitting – to the point where it will soon be deployed.
Denel will continue to be involved with the Rooivalk through on-going maintenance and repair services and providing the continued airworthiness engineering support to ensure the fleet of 11 helicopters remains mission ready.

defencetalk

Denel, Airbus Military renew A400M pact

Airbus Military and Denel have signed a revised agreement for the manufacture of A400M airlifter components in South Africa.

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Denel Aerostructures hopes A400M will finally establish it in first tier of global manufacturers

The aerostructures arm of South Africa's state-owned aerospace and defence group Denel is emerging from turbulent times to establish itself as a tier one player in the global supply chain. Three years ago the Johannesburg-based business hit rock bottom. Having been appointed one of a handful of non-European partners for the Airbus Military A400M in an offset deal, Denel Aerostructures was struck first by a two-year programme delay and then by Pretoria's unexpected axeing of its order for eight of the transport aircraft. With the government wavering on whether to continue supporting the heavily loss-making aerostructures business and Airbus bruised by the decision, Denel's ambitions of moving up the value chain as a first tier supplier to major airframers looked in tatters. Coupled with that, the business was saddled with a cost base it could not support. "It was a period of great uncertainty for us," admits chief executive Ismail Dockrat, who took over in early 2010 after a spell at sister unit Denel Aviation. "The company was in dire financial straits." learn more

El Rooivalk necesita inyección de fondos para ser operativo/ Denel needs further cash injection to make Rooivalk fully operational

El fabricante de armas de Sudáfrica, Denel, ha anunciado que necesita fondos adicionales para hacer que su helicóptero de ataque Rooivalk sea plenamente operativo.
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South Africa’s arms manufacturer Denel said the company needs a further cash injection in order to make the Rooivalk attack helicopter fully operational.
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