J Radebe: Launch African Aerospace and Defence 2006

22 June 2006

I am delighted to participate in the official launch of AAD2006, to be
staged in September here at Ysterplaat. AAD has become an integral event on the
international aerospace and aviation calendar. This year is also the first time
that the show moves outside of Gauteng, to Cape Town.

Up until now the public face of AAD has focussed mostly on defence and
military applications although companies and activities associated with the
commercial and civilian air sectors have always been on display. I understand
that another important feature of AAD2006 is to raise the profile of the
non-defence aspects of the show. This, too, is a major step and is welcomed by
government and I am sure the industry as a whole as well.

I suppose that outside of industry and the sector itself, it is tempting to
paint aerospace and aviation in two starkly defined pictures. The one
concentrates on the sharp-end military and defence aspect; the other on the
softer, more comfortable commercial end of the market. By raising the profile
of the commercial sector, AAD2006 will in our view, help enormously to bridge
the artificial divide between defence and non-defence.

Historically, the defence and commercial aviation sectors have been tied
together with an umbilical cord in terms of the shared impact of research and
development, the rise and development of an aviation industry and the
development of modern aircraft and systems, airports and support services. But
even in the area of operations and logistics support, the defence and civilian
sectors have often combined their strengths.

Everyone recalls the fine efforts of the South African Air Force (SAAF) and
Denel in support of the Mozambique flood disaster relief operations and the
startling television images are still projected around the world from time to
time. But most people forget or are even ignorant of the fact that a larger
number of aircraft of all types, provided for, flown and maintained by the
general aviation community, participated in that relief operation as well.
Using the combined air traffic management systems of the Air Force and the
civilian Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS), privately owned aerodromes
and military air force bases, the teams were able to assist Mozambique in a
time of dire need. We still feel immense pride in the way our people came
together in this way.

But we also must emphasise that the reconstruction of countries that have
suffered immense deprivation as a result of war and carnage, countries like
Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Mozambique itself, Sudan,
Liberia, Sierra Leone and others, would not be possible without air transport
provided by private companies, air forces and pilots and engineers drawn from
all walks of life. Indeed, by the time of AAD2006 in September this year I
trust that we will have written a new chapter in African aviation history
through the contribution our own SAAF, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA),
ATNS, Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) and the general aviation community
will have made to the success of the massive election and relief programme
currently underway.

Of course, the aviation sector must include all ground support activities
and infrastructure. Airports are the most obvious in the chain but immense
technological expertise and innovation informs the development and operation of
air navigation systems, airspace management, runway safety, cargo and passenger
security and so on. In the African context, where budgets are tight and the
need is colossal, innovation and technology development that seeks to get as
much bang out of each buck as possible is a strong asset that must be
encouraged and maintained.

AAD2006, like its counterparts elsewhere in the world, is an opportunity for
the industry to show of new technologies, new systems and new styles of
operation and support to governments, commercial airlines, airport
administrations, aviation agencies and air forces across the continent. As a
unique African event, AAD2006 enjoys the fullest support of the South African
government.

The intention to spread the appeal of AAD this year to include elements of
the maritime sector is warmly welcomed. Again, the oceans and the air may
represent distinct dimensions with their own peculiar characteristics but when
it comes to operational matters, particularly in relation to search and rescue,
co-ordination of certain traffic and so on, co-operation between agencies and
institutions from either sector is critical. We see this all the time, from the
magnificent rescue operation linked to the Oceanos drama, to almost daily
missions of surveillance or saving windsurfers or fisherfolk in distress. More
recently, I think we should also note the exercises between the SA and German
navies that combined sea and air operations as well as the various military and
civilian airspace management systems in a unique and impressive manner. Much
can be learnt from such exercises to emphasise the benefits to both defence and
civilian environments.

Our South African defence technology and manufacturing sector is a vibrant,
though sometimes beleaguered, partner in our own economic development. It is a
simple fact that Denel and other companies, large and small, are noted mainly
for their work in the defence arena but that experience is critical to their
active and valuable participation in civil programmes associated with Airbus
and Boeing, the two giants of the aerospace world.

The civil benefits of the Department of Defence’s Strategic Defence Packages
are already emerging, and as such have the fullest support of the Department of
Transport. We do not see a contradiction between the acquisition of Hawks and
Gripens, Corvettes and Submarines, Helicopters and other equipment and the
development needs of our country.

A novel and critical programme remains South Africa's participation in the
A400M military transport programme, which although essentially a defence-driven
programme is defined by the production and manufacturing ethos of the
commercial private sector. But in operational terms, the enhancement of our
country's air transport capacity through the A400M acquisition will extend not
only a critical component of our defence doctrine and participation in
peacekeeping operations, but will also provide critical assets for development
and reconstruction across large swathes of the continent.

The maritime and aviation sectors are critical to Africa's development,
provided they operate actively as participants in that development. Africa's
seaborne trade amounts for a huge proportion of its total Gross Domestic
Products (GDP). Air transport's impact on Africa is also significant. Recent
academic assessment suggests that it generates about 470 000 direct and
indirect jobs across the continent. Adding tourists who rely on air transport,
the number of jobs on the continent increases to about 3.1 million people in
employment. All in all, air transport's contribution to African GDP amounts to
some US$55.5 billion. African aviation related work across the continent
provides employment for some 216 000 in airline activities, 151 000 for
aerospace engineering, maintenance and repair and over 56 000 in airports. The
airlines contribute about US$7.5 billion to African GDP, the airports some US$2
billion, and aerospace just over US$1.5 billion.

With recent initiatives co-ordinated through the Africa Union (AU) and
countries more determined than ever to implement the requirements for effective
open skies across and within the continent, African aerospace is in for major
development over the next five to 10 years, providing a platform for even
stronger growth and development after that. AAD2006 once again provides a good
opportunity for everyone involved in aerospace and the related maritime areas
of expertise, to see what the continent has to offer and to need.

We all look forward eagerly to the successful conclusion of your planning
and campaigning when AAD2006 opens in September, here at Ysterplaat.
I thank you.

Issued by: Ministry of Transport
22 June 2006
Source: Department of Transport (http://www.transport.gov.za)