Johannesburg - Defence and aviation equipment manufacturer Denel was "vigorously" looking at establishing a manufacturing facility in India, and a deal might be struck before long, said public enterprises minister Jeff Radebe.

Denel's Ordinance Group was actively pursuing collaborative ventures with Indian defence industries for the joint development, manufacture and sharing of technologies of artillery systems.

"Discussions on the establishment of a manufacturing facility in Bihar for artillery charges are well in advance," said Radebe.

Rabede and defence minister Mosioua Lekota are part of the South African delegation attending a week-long defence exhibition, Defexpo 2002, in India.

He said the proposed facility for artillery systems would comprise ammunition, charges and gun systems.

According to Denel's proposal, the establishment of an India-South Africa artillery partnership would enable both industries to jointly manufacture and market such systems globally to benefit all parties concerned.

Lekota said the South African defence industry was ready to form long-term partnerships that would comprise a mixture of key elements such as sharing technology, skills development, industrial participation, training and support.

"These alliances will help to make our local [defence] industry even more globally focused."

India is an important strategic partner for South Africa and is one of Denel's biggest customers. South Africa has, however, been criticised by some observers for selling weapons to India because of the hostility between it and Pakistan.

John Stremlau, the head of department of international relations at Wits University, has a different view. He said India was an important strategic partner for South Africa and this deal would strengthen the bilateral relationship between the two countries.

"South Africa has been fairly careful about its export policy and this should not affect India's relationship with Pakistan over Kashmir," he said.

Kader Asmal, the chairman of the National Conventional Arms Control Committee, said two years ago that selling arms to countries that wished to protect their territorial integrity and citizenry was a responsible government action.

To suggest that South Africa's arms industry compromised the principle of striving for peaceful solutions was disingenuous.

Asmal added that all applications for arms would continue to be submitted to the case-by-case scrutiny of the committee.