The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Denel have signed an agreement to advance research, technology development, innovation, knowledge sharing and technology commercialisation in what the CSIR says is a significant milestone to accelerate South Africa’s aerospace and military technologies.
The signing ceremony was held on Wednesday 14 January 2026 at the CSIR, which was attended by the chief executives of the CSIR and Denel.
“The partnership reinforces the CSIR’s mandate to improve competitiveness of industry and support a capable state through science, technology and innovation. It establishes a framework for cooperation across a wide range of research, development and innovation areas,” the CSIR said in a statement on 27 January.
Speaking at the ceremony, CSIR Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Thulani Dlamini, highlighted the extensive scope of the collaboration, which spans areas such as advanced manufacturing, engineering services, sensors, human capital development, maritime, missile technologies, cybersecurity, aeronautics, command, control and situational awareness platforms, space technology and joint technology commercialisation.
“The partnership represents a significant step forward in building a future-ready, innovation-led economy. By combining the CSIR’s research capabilities with Denel’s expertise, we aim to co-create solutions that not only respond to present challenges but also shape the aerospace and defence technologies of tomorrow. This collaboration will ultimately contribute towards building a capable state,” said Dlamini.
By signing the MoU, the entities aim to establish a formal foundation for joint initiatives that will enhance national competitiveness, attract investment, support the development and commercialisation of locally developed technologies and promote skills development, the CSIR added.
Denel CEO, Tsepo Monaheng, echoed Dlamini’s sentiments. “We are excited that we have this shared vision to collaborate so we can successfully provide solutions to the SANDF [South African National Defence Force] and the broader security cluster to achieve national security. For us, it will always be about how we can best support and advance our country’s aerospace and defence industries. This is where we align with the CSIR, whose mission is to strengthen South Africa’s key sectors and help build a capable state. We are proud to collaborate and look forward to many fruitful opportunities that will contribute to national development.”
Both entities reaffirmed their commitment to protecting intellectual property rights and ensuring compliance with all relevant legal and regulatory frameworks.
Denel and the CSIR have a long history of working together. The CSIR noted it was the birthplace of the Rooivalk attack helicopter, and played a pivotal role in the development of Denel’s suite of missiles. The Council worked with the companies that preceded Denel, such as Kentron, and Atlas Aircraft Corporation – the Rooivalk project began in early 1984under the auspices of Atlas, a predecessor of Denel Aviation. One of the CSIR’s contributions to the Rooivalk includes the development of infrared heat suppressors that were fitted on the exhausts.
Another example of collaboration was the joint development of the Optronic System Simulator (OSSIM), a research tool that addresses issues relevant to physics-based radiometry, signature measurement, and the modelling of signatures, sensors and signal processing; all for the user-system under investigation. The CSIR and Denel Dynamics use OSSIM extensively.
In 2001, Denel sold the research-and-development portion of its Mechem division to the CSIR, allowing the CSIR to develop its landwards defence technology capability through research and development for the army and special forces, research into humanitarian mine clearing and development of land-mine protection for vehicles. Mechem was originally part of the CSIR before becoming part of Armscor and after 1992, part of Denel. During that time it researched and developed a number of armoured vehicles for police and military use – including the Casspir, an anagram for CSIR and SAP (South African Police).
More recently, in 2016 Denel and the CSIR concluded an agreement to commercialise and market the Cmore software platform developed by the CSIR. Cmore integrates and processes data from different sensors and communication devices and has already been put into service to track rhino poachers before they kill in the Kruger National Park.
