defenceWeb Written by Guy Martin - 2686 Denel Aeronautics is still receiving international interest in its Rooivalk attack helicopter, with consistent enquiries for a number of years. Since around 2015, Denel has been promoting the upgrade of the Rooivalk (primarily for the South African Air Force), and development of a next-generation Rooivalk Mk II for foreign clients. Interest in the locally manufactured helicopter soared after successful deployment with the United Nations Force Intervention Brigade in the Democratic Republic of Congo in late 2013. Support came from the South African government as the South African Air Force (SAAF) recognised a need for a midlife upgrade as a result of known obsolescence. Future Rooivalk upgrades would introduce new modern avionics, update the weapon system and increase reproducibility. The next generation Rooivalk would feature better sights, improved firepower, greater payload and better survivability, amongst other improvements.