Denel and Airbus Military have signed an agreement with revised terms for manufacturing aircraft components on the A400M, in a development that will contribute significantly to the financial turnaround of the South African company.

The renegotiated agreement was signed recently at a function attended by the Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba, Senior Vice President of Airbus Military Antonio Rodriguez-Barberán and the Chairman of the Board of Denel SOC, N.R. Zoli Kunene.

Gigaba said the new agreement demonstrated the confidence of major global aerospace companies in the abilities of the local manufacturing sector. “The relationship between Airbus and Denel takes us to another step further towards the growth of a fully-fledged South African aerospace industry.”

Group Chief Executive of Denel SOC Riaz Saloojee said the relationship with Airbus positions Denel Aerostructures (DAe) as an established supplier of high-tech aircraft parts and strengthens South Africa’s position in the global aerospace industry.

Airbus Military Senior Vice President Commercial, Antonio Rodriguez-Barberan, said the agreement “re-affirmed Airbus Military’s commitment to South Africa and its industrial partners and suppliers in the country.

“With production of the A400M ramping up ahead of the first deliveries next year, it is comforting to know that we have a dependable partner in DAe which can be relied upon to provide top quality work, on time and within budget,” he said.