Pretoria - Thieves who dug under a concrete fence, broke through an electrified one and then stole 25 computers from Denel Aviation's head office in Kempton Park may have missed what they sought - or else they were just in it for the money.

No confidential information on aviation projects was jeopardised nor was classified documentation compromised in the process.

Max Sisulu, deputy chief executive at Denel, said on Tuesday the incident would be regarded only as a break-in until evidence to the contrary was found.

Twenty-two tabletop computers and three laptops as well as an overhead projector were stolen from the military aircraft division on Saturday night after thieves gained entry to the heavily guarded complex.

They got in by digging a hole underneath a threefold concrete fence and breaking through its electrified section.

The electricity supply to the fence and the complex was not interrupted during the break-in. The complex is guarded by sentries at a central entrance.

"We cannot say with certainty whether the thieves only wanted the computers or if they were searching for specific information.

"We have ascertained, however, that no classified information was stored on the hard drives of the computers. In any case, we handle this type of information with much more caution.

Sensitive info not on the hard-drives

"The break-in is therefore not regarded as a breach of security of our information system, but only as theft."

The information on the computers relates to the operational production and logistical support schedules of certain projects.

No information on the performance specifications, operational abilities or "commercially sensitive information" was stored on the hard-drives.

Sisulu said he was still waiting for a complete report on the incident. The police are also investigating.

He said the Denel division was still working on several aircraft. None of the projects or contractors involved were classified as secret.

Sisulu's reaction comes after Beeld received information on Tuesday that "top secret" documents and blueprints of the prototypes of certain weapons systems had been stolen.

According to this information, the theft would have far-reaching consequences if it landed in the wrong hands abroad.

Several countries "sought" this technology, the informant said, after it was developed in South Africa and it was regarded as unique in the world.

Denel-BAE negotiating link-up

Sisulu strongly denied that anything of so much value was stored on the computers.

The government and Britain's BAE Systems, manufacturers of the Hawk combat-training aeroplane, are negotiating on a strategic shares partnership between Denel and BAE Systems, which will mean that Denel is becoming semi-privatised.

Denel already manufactures aircraft and other parts for a variety of commercial clients such as Boeing and Rolls Royce.

Denel Aviation's military-aircraft division has been handling the upgrading of the air force's aircraft for years.

It recently became involved in the local manufacturing of certain components for the Hawk and Gripen combat aircraft, after the decision to acquire these for the air force was announced.

Several locally developed parts and upgrading systems for the air force's combat aircraft, such as the C130 freight planes, are also installed by Denel Aviation.

With acknowledgements to Erika Gibson and Beeld.