Johannesburg - Leading global aircraft manufacturer Airbus has signed a memorandum of understanding with two South African companies in what is hailed as a bid to further bolster the local aviation industry.
“Today on this factory floor we are taking another step forward in the global aerospace industry,” said Ismail Dockrat, of aerospace and defence technology company Denel Aerostructures, at the signing ceremony held at its factory on Tuesday in Kempton Park, Johannesburg.
Airbus, Denel Aerostructures, and aeronautical engineering and manufacturing company Aerosud Aviation, would jointly develop industrial projects to enable the South African partners to bid for larger-scale manufacturing work packages on Airbus commercial airliner programmes than they had been able to secure independently of each other.
Denel Aerostructures was awarded a multi-million rand deal to manufacture parts for an international military Airbus earlier this year.
The new alliance meant more business and would position South Africa as a dominant force in the global aerospace industry, Dockrat said.
The agreement between the three companies would strengthen and sharpen the global competitiveness of South Africa's aerospace manufacturing industry and its research and development capabilities.
By working together with Airbus, the South African companies would be able to take on larger work packages that were mutually viable, economically sustainable, and with lower risk.
“This will create more jobs in South Africa and it shows that Airbus is here to stay,” said Airbus vice president of international co-operation, Simon Ward. - Sapa