Denel Munitions has secured a R200-million order from the United Kingdom for 40mm target-practice grenades, the arms manufacturer said on Monday.
”Coming at the close of the calendar year, this order is most welcome for our Western Cape facility,” said chief executive Monwabisi Kalawe.
”I venture to say it is one of the largest single orders for 40mm target-practice grenades our business has received in a long time.”
Kalawe said the UK’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) had given tight delivery schedules for the more than half-a-million target practice ”flash-bang” grenades.
Denel Munitions had to meet the UK requirement within the framework of prior supply commitments for 40mm ammunition.
The non-lethal ”flash bang” grenades are different from other target-practice grenades in that they emit a loud bang accompanied by a visible flash.
Denel said this provided a more realistic scenario when training grenadiers.
The order was due to be delivered to the UK in monthly consignments until March 2009.
The arms manufacturer said it hoped to secure further orders from the MoD. — Sapa