AMD MEMBERS BENEFITS

ADVANTAGES OF AMD MEMBERSHIP

With more than 92% of South Africa’s defence industry (the SADI) represented in AMD, the benefits of membership can be summarised as follows:

Relations with the Department of Trade and Industry

The Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) recognises AMD as the industry association representing the Aerospace and Defence Sectors, as well as a Joint Export Action Group. AMD has worked closely with the dti in developing and implementing the Aerospace Strategy and is engaging the department in developing a strategy for the defence industry. (The dti is starting to recognise the SADI as a separate sector).

AMD assists the dti with the identification of two international exhibitions per year for which the dti – through its EMIA scheme – sponsors SADI companies to participate in a national pavilion.

Relations with the Department of Defence (DoD)

The Department of Defence (DoD) recognises AMD as the industry association representing the Defence Sector. AMD works closely with the DoD, especially Defence Foreign Relations, on matters of export support to the defence industry. This includes hosting international delegations and arranging visits of these delegations to the premises of AMD members.

AMD participates in the planning sessions of defence bilateral committee meetings with foreign defence forces and informs members of opportunities identified through these meetings. AMD regularly interacts with the Policy and Planning division within the DoD and has insight into the DoD strategic planning. The Chief of Defence Materiel (formerly called Chief of Acquisitions and Procurement) has committed to an annual briefing to AMD members on acquisition plans in the short, medium and long term.

AMD regularly briefs the Plenary Defence Staff Council on matters of mutual interest, thus conveying industry’s position on policy matters to its main client, the SANDF.

International Marketing

AMD utilises its annual attendance of several international exhibitions to promote the SADI. AMD is in close contact with military and commercial attachés at South African Embassies / diplomatic missions throughout the world. Out-bound attachés are briefed and the AMD office supplies them, on request, with information on products / services available from AMD members.

Other advantages

Through close relationships with the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the dti representatives on the Non-Proliferation Committee and National Conventional Arms Control Committee (NCACC) Scrutiny Committee, AMD is in a position to give advice on arms control permit applications and country-specific information.

Through its internal networking AMD creates business development opportunities specifically for our smaller member companies. At present AMD is investigating the possibility of hosting conferences and seminars to further enhance interaction with government officials and industry.

AMD is invited to brief the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Defence at least once a year and regularly interacts with Parliament on issues involving the industry.

By co-hosting the biennial Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) exhibition AMD is in the unique position to not only offer discount on exhibition rates to its members, but also to influence activities during the event. AMD works closely with the DoD in identifying and hosting international delegations during AAD and assists members in inviting these delegations to their stands and hospitality chalets. AMD ensures that its members are invited to official functions and all major events during AAD.

AMD's promotional materials, notably the website (soon to be updated with hot links to member sites) and the SADID (defence industry directory), offer members additional channels to promote their services.

AMD strives to fulfil the mission, vision and objective of the defence industry in South Africa.