Denel Dynamics
Denel Dynamics, formerly Kentron, is a division of Denel SOC Ltd, a South African armaments development and manufacturing company wholly owned by the South African Government. It underwent a name change from Kentron to Denel Aerospace Systems in early 2004 and later to Denel Dynamics. Denel Dynamics is located in Centurion, South Africa. Several sites are operating according to ISO 9000 and ISO 14000 certified.
 | |
| Type | Division of proprietary limited company |
|---|---|
| Industry | weapons development and manufacturing |
| Founded | 1991 |
| Headquarters | Centurion, Gauteng, South Africa |
Area served | World wide |
| Products | Missiles, ATGMs, Bombs, Glide bombs, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles |
| Parent | Denel SOC Ltd (100% state-owned) |
| Website | DenelDynamics.co.za |
| Footnotes / references Previously Kentron, a division of Denel (Pty) Ltd | |
Key products
| Category | Type | Name |
|---|---|---|
| Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) | ||
| Hungwe - Tactical Aerial Reconnaissance | ||
| Seeker - Tactical Aerial Reconnaissance | ||
| Bateleur - MALE Aerial Reconnaissance | ||
| Skua - Target Drone | ||
| Guided Missiles | ||
| Air-to-Air | ||
| A-Darter – Short Range Infrared homing | ||
| R-Darter – Radar Guided Beyond Visual Range missile (BVR) | ||
| Air-to-Surface | ||
| MUPSOW - Multipurpose Stand Off Weapon Air-Launched Cruise Missile | ||
| TORGOS – (Cruise Missile) Air-Launched Cruise Missile | ||
| Surface-to-Air | Umkhonto – Multi-Range Infrared homing Missile Series | |
| Anti-Tank Guided Missile | ||
| Mokopa - Long-Range Laser Guided Anti-Tank Guided Missile | ||
| ZT3 Ingwe - Multi-Role Laser Guided Anti-Tank Guided Missile | ||
| Guided Bombs | ||
| Raptor Precision-Guided Glide Bomb series | ||
| Umbani GPS/INS guidance kit for Mk.82, Mk.83 and Mk.84 bombs | ||
| Seekers | Brazilian MAA-1 Piranha | |
| Weapons Management Systems | ||
| Arachnida-1/2 Weapons Management System | ||
Kentron developed the ARD-10 loitering drone for the South African Defence Force in the 1980s, however with the end of the South African Border Wars it did not enter service. Kentron sold the designs to Israel Aerospace Industries which used them to develop the IAI Harpy which was first tested in 1989. The designs were sold to Iran Aviation Industries Organization in 2004/5 and used by Shahed Aviation Industries to develop the Shahed 131 and Shahed 136 drones.[1]
UN arms embargo violation
Four South Africans working for Kentron were arrested in March 1984 in Coventry and charged with violation of the UN arms embargo – which outlawed the export of arms and military equipment to apartheid South Africa.
The Coventry Four were granted bail against a deposit of £200,000 and a guarantee by a diplomat from the South African embassy who waived his diplomatic immunity. They were allowed to return to South Africa on condition that they appeared at their trial in England in August 1984. In the event, South African foreign minister, Pik Botha, refused to allow them to return for their trial.
See also
References
- "South African heritage". Air Forces Monthly. December 2022. p. 23.