South African defence companies have an opportunity to be catapulted onto the global stage as international trade organisations descend on the country. Tapping into the multi-billion dollar global defence industry is a prize goal of countries across the world.Hoping to succeed in furthering relations with South Africa and its booming defence industry‚ is the UK government.This was one of major announcements at the African Aerospace and Defence (AAD) show in Pretoria on Tuesday.Speaking to Times Media on the sidelines of the event‚ Sophie Lane - the UK trade and investment's defence and security organisation regional director for Africa - said South Africa was now a major "priority" for the UK."We came here two years ago to attend the previous AAD show. That was with nine companies. This time we are back with 27 companies‚ who are involved in cutting edge technology development."The footwork began two years ago when the UK government worked to have South African companies accredited with that country's ministry of defence to bid for military tenders.In May‚ further progress was made when a UK defence delegation descended on South Africa. They left with numerous memorandums of understanding having been signed between South African companies and state parastatals.Lane said the frequency of interaction since two years ago had increased significantly."There has been a big focus on border and maritime security."She declined to disclose who the memorandums had been signed with‚ but would say that they were "significant"."It's clear from our trip here two years ago‚ in May and now‚ that South Africa is a priority. Within the UK High Commission to South Africa‚ a special office has been created to facilitate work between South African and UK industries."Lane said the drive now was to create partnership through innovation."This event is about working with Africa and finding solutions to global security‚ to security issues that affect all countries regardless of their position in the world."She added that the companies that they had brought across were involved in various fields of technology from border and maritime security‚ to battles-pace management and specialised communication systems."It is clear that South Africa is no longer a place of potential to do business‚ but an actual place to do business."Lane said the hope now was to continue to build on the relationships which had been developed."Our own defence review shows that trade has become vital in building partnerships with our allies for global security."South African companies have excellent capabilities‚ which we want to tap into and there is a keen interest to further government-to-government relations."..