Oman and Algeria have also refused inspections and seen their imports from South Africa blocked, the industry officials added. Government officials in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman and Algeria did not respond to emails and phone calls from Reuters seeking comment, nor did their embassies in South Africa. The Aerospace, Maritime and Defence Industries Association of South Africa (AMD) says the dispute could threaten the sector's survival. The South African defence industry has become increasingly reliant on exports, which have grown more than 12-fold since 1990 as domestic defence spending has declined. The clause requires customers to grant "access and permission to South African Government Authority's representative(s)" to verify they are in compliance with South Africa's defence export regulations.

Source: News 24 November 25, 2019 20:03 UTC