Defence systems manufacturer Denel hopes to strike a multi-million dollar deal to develop long-range, lightweight artillery for US counterpart General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS).

Denel supplied GDLS with a consignment of long-range 105mm projectiles that are currently being tested by the US army.

The artillery gun can be mounted on a turret, specially developed by Denel that enables it to fire at targets up to 30km away.

Without the turret, the gun has a range of 24km.

GDLS would like to enter into a manufacturing agreement to produce the weapon because Denel lacks the capacity to manufacture the quantities required by the US.

If an agreement is reached, Denel stands to earn millions in royalties.

With acknowledgements to Dingilizwe Ntuli and the Sunday Times.