IN FOCUS: African skies: South Africa's aerospace and aviation industry looks to opportunities in the continent

During apartheid, South Africa's aerospace and defence industry provided the equipment the regime needed to defend its borders. The result was a highly developed sector with a range of competencies. Democracy led to painful restructuring, but two decades on, the industry is looking to opportunities in a burgeoning wider African marketplace. Ahead of Africa Aerospace & Defence - held near Pretoria on 19-23 September - we look at the state of South African industry, with features on state-owned Denel and private contractor Paramount. We examine the ANC government's procurement priorities and pressures, and profile flag carrier South African Airways, striving to find a niche in the African market in the face of competition from Gulf rivals.

Saab Financial constraints have left the SAAF unable to fully utilise its Saab Gripens

Contents

• A structure for success: Denel pins hopes on A400M contract
• Paramount ambition: High hopes for all-new AHRLAC
• Getting to Gripen: The SAAF looks to utilise its new fighters
• Chasing the money: Africa's business aviation market grows
• Eurocopter takes care: Support packages are as vital as sales
• Surveying the market: UK's Cobham puts faith in antennas
• Meet the neighbours: AAD 2012 should be the biggest yet
• African prize: SAA switches focus