Debut for Denel's new products in London

"We have chosen DSEI to launch these systems internationally because it is the world's largest fully-integrated defence expo and attracts industry leaders, decision-makers and analysts from around the globe," says the group chief executive, Riaz Saloojee.

On display for the first time will be the GI-30 30mm CamGun and the M10 - 60mm breech -loading mortar, both designed and manufactured at Denel Land Systems in Lyttelton, south-west of Pretoria.

"We are confident that the GI-30 will impress and excite the industry and visitors to DSEI. It was developed as part of our contract to deliver a world leading infantry combat vehicle for the South African Army.

"It will be the main weapon system on the South African Badger ICV but can be easily fitted into other turrets on the market," says Saloojee.

Stephan Burger the chief executive of Denel Land Systems (DLS) says both the GI-30 and the M10 mortar system are global leaders in their fields with features that are not yet available on other systems.

Cannon and single-shot weapon

The GI-30 is an externally driven electro-mechanical cannon, using a drum-cam to cycle the breech to chamber rounds and extract spent cartridges. This reduces gases in the confines of a turret and improves the controlled firing rate. DLS designed the GI-30 to fire link-less 30 x 173mm ammunition through a dual feeder - a world-first for this kind of weapon.

As a single-shot weapon, it is also used for its sniper mode and is fired from a closed-breech position, which offers more accurate fire because no movement takes place immediately before the round is fired. It has an effective range of 4,000m and can fire up to 100 rounds a minute.

The GI-30 CamGun uses armoured piercing fin-stabilised discarding sabot and target practice type ammunition, designed and manufactured by Denel PMP as well as ammunition from Oerlikon and Nammo. Ammunition is replenished from the supply inside the turret.

Burger says the 60mm long-range mortar system was also developed in parallel with the Badger but can easily be adapted to fit into most standard turrets. Its range is 6,000m at sea level making it a the world leader in its class. Another feature is its range of elevation - from -5° to +70° - which allows it to be employed in a direct fire application.

The M10 long range mortar represents the latest innovation in Denel Land Systems' well-established ballistic products.

The new features make it a weapon system for peace support operations and the changing nature of modern conflict in urban or other close environments. With its compact size and low recoil (54kN), the mortar can be fitted to light vehicles such as a pickup truck or even a boat.

The system can provide a sustained rate of fire of six rounds a minute or eight rounds a minute at one minute intervals.