How South African defence companies are expanding globally at IDEF 2025
Image: File
A group of South African defence sector companies has arrived in Istanbul, Türkiye, aiming to showcase local innovation and forge new global partnerships during the International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF) 2025.
Taking place from July 22 to 27, IDEF 2025 is one of the world's foremost defence expos, drawing industry leaders from across Eurasia, the Middle East and North Africa. South Africa's participation is spearheaded by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) under its Export Marketing and Investment Assistance (EMIA) scheme.
The initiative supports local businesses in accessing international markets and attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) into South Africa.
Shane George, Senior Manager of Industry Support and Business Development at the Armaments Corporation of South Africa SOC Ltd, said the delegation was enthusiastic about the opportunities IDEF 2025 presents.
'In terms of our responsibility of creating and maintaining systems, we are going to be having meetings with some of the international Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM), in looking for solutions and expanding current contracts,' said George.
'We are confident that, by the end of the week, we will have strengthened the bilateral relationships between South Africa and Türkiye, as our critical partner.'
Among the exhibitors is Swatek Defence and Aerospace, which designs and produces cable harnesses and control boxes for military and aviation applications. Its founder, Dr Khulile Mtsetfwa, highlighted the role her company plays in supporting defence innovation.
'South Africa has the capabilities in the military sector, and one of them is the electrical systems that Swatek supplies. We are bringing skills, capabilities and a variety of offerings, one of them being electrical systems for the vehicles,' she said.
Queen Ndlovu, CEO of QP DroneTech, is also part of the delegation. Her company provides commercial drone services geared towards disaster preparedness and climate-related interventions.
'I am looking for potential partners to use our drones and services, and also research and development partners to improve some of the specifications of our drones that we use in climate change and sustainability activities,' she explained.
South Africa has secured a 164m² national pavilion to house its participating companies, providing a platform to showcase defence-related products and services to both existing and potential clients.
IDEF 2025 presents a strategic opportunity for South African innovators to position their offerings within global defence supply chains, particularly as nations increase their focus on advanced technologies and sustainability in defence operations
IOL News
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
25 minutes ago
- The Citizen
Competition Tribunal approves Canal+ and MultiChoice's more than R50 billion deal
Canal+ already owns 45% of MultiChoice's shares, and with this deal, it intends to buy the remaining shares for R125 per share, valuing the group at more than R50 billion. French Media giant Canal+ is one step closer to acquiring the remaining stake of MultiChoice, as the Competition Tribunal has approved the deal. MultiChoice's primary business is providing video entertainment through multiple platforms, including DStv, GOtv, and ShowMax. Canal+ already owns 45% of MultiChoice's shares, and with this deal, it intends to buy the remaining shares for R125 per share, valuing the group at more than R50 billion. ALSO READ: Is MultiChoice in trouble? Group reports sharp decline in subscribers Canal+ to buy MultiChoice The approval from the Competition Tribunal follows a recommendation from the Competition Commission that the Tribunal should approve the deal, subject to conditions related to public interest considerations. The Competition Tribunal is an independent body that adjudicates on matters referred to it by the Competition Commission. While the Competition Commission is an independent adjudicative body established to regulate competition between firms in the market, the commission is the investigating and prosecuting agency in the competition regime, while the Tribunal is the court. 'The approval by the tribunal concludes the competition review process in South Africa,' stated the Stock Exchange News Service (SENS) announcement made on Tuesday. ALSO READ: WATCH: DStv's 'R100' advert deemed misleading by regulatory board Deadline for the MultiChoice and Canal+ deal The announcement stated that the parties remain on track to complete the Mandatory Offer by Canal+ within the timeline announced on 8 April 2025, and prior to the long-stop date of 8 October 2025. 'The approval by South Africa's Competition Tribunal marks the final stage in the South African competition process and clears the way for us to conclude the transaction in line with our previously communicated timeline,' said Maxime Saada, CEO of Canal+. He added that he is positive about the potential this transaction will unlock for all stakeholders, including South African consumers, creative businesses and the nation's sporting ecosystem. 'The combined group will benefit from enhanced scale, greater exposure to high-growth markets and the ability to deliver meaningful synergies.' Agreed conditions of the deal 'As was previously disclosed, the agreed conditions include a robust package of guaranteed public interest commitments proposed by the parties,' read the announcement. 'The package supports the participation of firms controlled by Historically Disadvantaged Persons (HDPs) and Small, Micro and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) in the audio-visual industry in South Africa. 'This package will maintain funding for local South African general entertainment and sports content, providing local content creators with a strong foundation for future success.' NOW READ: Another year, another decline in DStv subscribers: Will Canal+ be buying a shell?
The Citizen
2 hours ago
- The Citizen
FlySafair responds to pilot strike: majority of flights operating, apologises to affected customers
The strike stems from a pay dispute between FlySafair and Solidarity, the union representing a portion of its pilots. FlySafair confirms that while most flights are operating as scheduled, approximately 12% of services have been cancelled on Monday 21 July, due to pilots withdrawing their availability from flights that had previously been confirmed late Sunday night. All affected customers were notified via SMS using the contact details provided at booking. Customers are encouraged to check the Travel Updates page on for the latest information. Airport teams remain on standby to assist with rebooking, refunds, and alternative arrangements. 'We sincerely apologise to all affected customers. We understand the disruption this has caused and are doing everything we can to assist those involved,' says Kirby Gordon, chief marketing officer at FlySafair. What's behind the strike? The strike stems from a pay dispute between FlySafair and Solidarity, the union representing a portion of its pilots. While the union has framed its demand as a 10.5% increase in base salary, the full package, including flight pay, bonuses, and other benefits, equates to a 20.1% increase in total cost to company. By contrast, FlySafair's current offer includes a 5.7% increase on base salary, which is 1.5% above inflation, and when fully costed, represents an 11.29% increase in total cost to company. The airline maintains that this is a fair and responsible offer, especially in an economic climate where most companies are offering increases of around 4%. 'We must balance competitive pay with the responsibility we have to our 1,700 employees, the affordability we offer South African travellers, and the long-term health of the business,' says Gordon. FlySafair captains currently are paid between R1.8 million and R2.3 million annually, placing them in the top 1% of earners in South Africa. Many earn more than members of the airline's Executive Committee. Are pilots overworked? FlySafair captains averaged 63 hours of flight time last month, well below the regulatory limit of 100 hours. For comparison, a typical full-time employee works around 160 hours per month. The airline maintains that its pilot utilisation is compliant and not excessive. Strike escalation and ongoing talks The union initially called for a one-day strike, timed to coincide with the end of the school holidays. In response, FlySafair issued a defensive lockout, a standard labour protocol. Due to the nature of airline rostering, this meant affected pilots would not be rostered for seven days. Solidarity then escalated the action to a two-week strike. FlySafair has not rejected CCMA intervention and continues to engage with the commission and the union in good faith. Commitment to customers and employees FlySafair acknowledges the disruption caused to customers and is working to minimise the impact. The airline also highlights its responsibility to its 1 700 other employees, whose livelihoods are linked to the company's financial sustainability. 'We're committed to resolving this matter constructively and quickly. Our focus is on restoring full operations while ensuring that FlySafair remains a sustainable and affordable option for South African travellers,' says Gordon. Contact: Kirby Gordon [email protected] +27 71 636 0236
IOL News
2 hours ago
- IOL News
Economist cautions against interest rate hikes amid economic uncertainty
South African Reserve Bank (SARB) governor Lesetja Kganyago has strongly advocated for the country to lower its inflation target from 4.5% to 3%. Image: Thobile Mathonsi / Independent Newspapers South African Reserve Bank (SARB) governor Lesetja Kganyago has strongly advocated for the country to lower its inflation target from 4.5% to 3%. Experts argue that a lower inflation target would improve price stability, reduce borrowing costs and enhance investor confidence in the long term. However, many feel it would entail some short term 'pain' for the sake of long-term gain. Yet tightening monetary policy could be a dangerous move in the current economic climate, warns Frederick Mitchell, chief economist at Aluma Capital. The US says it intends to impose a 30% tariff on South African goods, with threats of a further 10% tariff targeting BRICS countries. This could plunge many industries into crisis. Industries that rely on exports, such as vehicles, citrus and mineral commodities, are particularly vulnerable. These sectors are already under stress and additional tariffs could hinder economic growth and exacerbate the country's already high unemployment rate of over 30%. Within this context, the SARB faces a constrained path, Mitchell said. 'Conventional wisdom suggests that raising interest rates can curb inflation, yet in the current environment, where inflation remains subdued but economic growth is threatened, tightening monetary policy may exact an economic toll without addressing the underlying trade issues,' Mitchell explained. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ As SARB Governor Lesetja Kganyago has noted, inflation is expected to remain within the target range, but global trade war uncertainties loom large. Higher tariffs and potential retaliatory measures could put a damper on South Africa's economic recovery. 'Increasing interest rates in such a fragile environment risks stifling growth further, especially as global economic slowdown cues stemming from China's potential slowdown and trade tensions compound the problem,' he added. 'Given that South Africa's economy is highly reliant on exports and sensitive to external shocks, the restrictive monetary stance could deepen recessionary pressures without equipping the economy to withstand the imminent trade disruptions.' Although the government's fiscal space remains limited, an over-reliance on monetary policy to counteract trade barriers would neither be prudent nor effective. Mitchell believes the focus should remain on defending economic stability through fiscal prudence and resistance to over-tightening monetary policy in relation to inflation. Furthermore, policymakers should prioritise diplomatic engagement and trade negotiations. 'While efforts to curb inflation are vital, the scope for interest rate hikes in response to global trade tensions and tariffs is limited. Such measures risk further slowing economic growth, increasing unemployment, and undermining investor confidence,' Mitchell said. 'A prudent approach would involve safeguarding industry competitiveness and fostering diplomatic solutions, recognising that the health of South Africa's economy hinges on resilient trade relations and sound fiscal management rather than aggressive rate hikes amid uncertain international conditions.' Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel. Cape Argus
