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Ladies and Gentlemen of the Media and honoured guests.

I bid you a warm welcome this morning on behalf of myself and the entire South African delegation.

It is an enormous privilege for the South African defence industry to once again be exhibiting at an event as prestigious as LIMA '97. The South African defence team is participating here in a spirit of eagerness and pride. Some 30 of our foremost defence companies have brought with them our industry's finest technologies and equipment.

The are supported by an impressive delegation - allow me to introduce Ms. Stella Sigcau, Minister of Public Enterprises, Mr Tony Yengeni, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence and Ms. Mahite Mohale, South Africa High Commissioner for Malaysia. We also have the personal support of Lt Gen Willem Hechter, Chief of the South African Air Force at this aeronautical and maritime showcase. Last but not least, Mr . Ron Haywood, Executive Chairman of Armscor, whose guidance and initiative has been instrumental in SA's participation at LIMA '97.

In a global order in which there is little polarity, international relations and more specifically, international co-operation, has become a priority. In this period, we continuously find new challenges and peace keeping has become the responsibility of all states.

It is in this light that the horrific legacy of anti-personnel landmines is being dealt with.

The international community has taken cognisance of the example recently set by South Africa as the first country to destroy its stockpile of anti personnel landmines. With this humanitarian act, South Africa has demonstration its commitment to help rid the world of this indiscriminate weapon and this, well in advance of the internationally acclaimed Ottawa Convention which South Africa will sign today.

The international community has opened its doors to South Africa in many ways which were unthinkable before. This has enabled South Africa to improve on products and systems and to become more competitive.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I need not remind you of the reputable status which South African defence technology and equipment enjoys on the international circuit. The unrelenting African conditions, varying from desert to damp tropical environments demand top calibre technologies. The South African defence industry rises to accept the challenges of developing such technologies with confidence. I firmly believe that the international defence community has much to gain from South Africa's expertise and experience.

Many products and systems being exhibited in the South African pavilion, will appeal directly to the South East Asian region, especially Malaysia. Some of these include:

* South African expertise in refurbishing and modernisation;
* The top of the range attack helicopter, the Rooivalk which will participate in the flying displays;
* Advances made in the electronics field;
* Testing and evaluation of products and systems platforms;
* Training capabilities;
* A first of its kind portable X-Ray machine and other products for medical and humanitarian applications; and
* A variety of missiles, a unique helmet sight and various specialist parachutes.

Like South Africa, there are numerous countries within the international community who must take responsibility for and the necessary precautions to defence their sovereignty. We , in the South African defence industry, welcome opportunities to expand our relations with such countries and have undertaken to act as a responsible international partner and player.

It is for this reason that we arrive at LIMA '97 in a rather celebratory mood. In addition, on February 27 this year, the ISC court case in the United States of America, reached a favourable resolution.

The requirements of the agreed upon compliance program have been finalised and accepted and are today on the verge of being implemented. This development is welcomed by South Africa and has helped to reclaim for the South African defence team a respected and dignified role in the international defence community. South Africa anticipates a speedy normalisation of defence relations with the United States.

It is in this spirit that the so-called Government to Government Strategic Alliance offers (or package deals) recently received by us from other countries will be evaluated and decided upon. This exercise is currently under way and will be finalised in the very near future.

The Defence Review which was formally approved by the South African Cabinet and Parliament earlier this year, clearly supports the defined core force structure and capital equipment requirements for the South African National Defence Force against which the offers have been made.

The major hardware elements required will centre around systems such as corvettes, light utility helicopters, Main Battle Tanks, trainer fighter aircraft and submarines. The negotiations will certainly also centre around a substantial industrial participation element as well as the establishment of joint ventures with South African companies where possible.

Although conflict in the southern African region has been reduced, the approved Defence Review and White Paper, will ensure that the South African security forces will be structured and equipped to meet the challenges of this region. South Africa is well aware of the crucial role it has to play in Africa and thus an affordable core force capable of meeting any eventuality must be maintained.

In addition, a policy of regional confidence building will be pursued in the context of South Africa's commitment to developing an Indian Ocean Rim Alliance. Therefore our relations with Malaysia and other South East Asian countries will and must continue to enjoy prominence.

I would now like to refer to what I regard as a jewel in the International defence calendar. The 1998 Defence Exposition of South Africa, DEXA '98, will take place from 16 - 21 November 1998 at the Air Force Base, Waterkloof, Pretoria. The final participation details are still being ironed out but it is envisaged that the international partners of local South African defence companies will also be allowed to participate and, subject to availability of space, international defence companies can also come to DEXSA, 98 and exhibit their products and technologies.

So, I would like to conclude by inviting each one of you to attend DEXA '98. There, we will be able to meet again.

Thank you for your time this morning. I hope that you will find the South African pavilion stimulating and insightful with regard to the capabilities of our unique defence technologies and systems.

I will now take any questions that you may have.

I thank you.

ENQUIRIES: PUSO TLADI
Cell: 0836280858

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