Denel Aviation's flagship, the Rooivalk attack helicopter, has been demonstrated in Saudi Arabia amid reports of closer defence links between the Gulf and South Africa.
President Nelson Mandela is currently in Riyadh where it is believed he will be signing an arms-for-oil deal worth $1.5 billion. The contract involves up to 80 G6 self-propelled artillery systems.
Relationships between South Africa and the Gulf states have developed dramatically over the past year.
Denel chief executive Seshi Chonko says the Middle East is vital to the company's aim to become a major global player in the defence market.
"We have less than 1/2% of the world's defence business, compared with the USA's more than 50%. We believe that should change and it will by more companies and countries working together."
Chonko aims to fly to the Gulf on Tuesday to meet political and defence chiefs and to report on the current attitude to defence by the new South African government.
There have been several recent cases where Denel has had to cancel major contracts - to Syria and Turkey for example - on human rights and other political grounds.
These cancellations have affected Denel's profitability and the group is likely to undergo a major review of its 18 subsidiaries to see how it can focus more closely on its core activities.
The star products of the group are artillery and the Rooivalk.
The Rooivalk is not at Dubai '97, having made its inter-national debut here two years ago.
The aircraft is now under-going advanced flight testing.
The most recent demonstration has been a series of weapons trials. The integration of the missile system took five months and was proven during both day and night firings just outside Pretoria.
The HOT missile - developed for the helicopter with manufacturer Euromissile - is lighter than other medium-to long-range missiles, making it ideal for operational conditions that require more missiles to be carried over short to medium ranges in hot and high conditions.
During the weapons trials, previous results with 68mm free-flight rockets and the 20mm cannon were also confirmed at a range of 2km.
Denel is hoping that the demonstration in the Gulf will lead to increased interest in Rooivalk,which is already the choice of the South African Air Force (SAAF).
Malaysia is also expected to confirm an order for the attack helicopter once the economic position of the country has improved.
Production on the first of 12 Rooivalks ordered for the SAAF began 15 months ago. The work is currently ahead of schedule.
Source: Flight Daily News