Funding for air force soars

THE SA Air Force has been given a R342 million boost over three years towards strengthening its helicopter, transport and maritime capability.

According to Budget documents tabled this week, the money was shifted from the Special Defence Account because of “an increase in deployments and presidential commitments”.

There was also a projected increase in spending in the force employment programme for border patrols, anti-piracy
operations and peacekeeping missions.

Defence analyst Helmoed-Romer Heitman said some of the funds for the helicopter capability related to the deployment of Rooivalk combat helicopters to the DRC, where South Africa has sent troops as part of a UN peacekeeping mission.

“We’ve gone from having two Oryxes at Goma to having three Rooivalke and five or six Oryxes. They burn more fuel to get there, they burn hours, which uses up consumables, and there’s maintenance,” Heitman said.

It was also possible the military was finally acquiring the Mokopa anti-tank missile for the Rooivalk.

The system, manufactured by Denel Dynamics, is a laserguided air-to-ground missile.

He said the urgent need in the transport and maritime capability was a replacement for the aged Dakotas, the last few of which would run out of airframe life this year.

“Then there is no maritime patrol or surveillance capability at all,” Heitman said. According to the Budget documents, the acquisition of a maritime surveillance aircraft is to be finalised next year.

Heitman said there was an “increasingly obvious requirement to deploy more troops into Africa in the not-too-distant future”.

“If you look north the wheels are coming off fast. I know the president is aware of that and he’s worried.He’s seriously worried about the security situation in Africa, as are some of the more perceptive generals.”

It was reported last year the air force had effectively grounded its fleet of Agusta A109 light utility helicopters because of budget cuts.

And, testifying at the Seriti Commission of Inquiry into the arms deal last year, air force Brigadier-General John William Bayne admitted the SAAF was under funding strain, forcing cutbacks in flying hours for fighter pilots. “Knowing the 2013/14 financial year would be very challenging, funding-wise, the SAAF did in advance prepare
for and put in place austerity measures in the combat fleet, which included fleet reductions,” he said.

“We operate only the minimum aircraft required while the transport unit is getting the lion’s share of the (financial) pie due to the nature of their work requiring them to consistently deliver supplies in the Democratic Republic of Congo.”

Heitman said once the Defence Review commissioned by former minister Lindiwe Sisulu had been tabled in Parliament, and elections were “out of the way”, the next cabinet would have to focus on finding more money for defence spending.

Source: Weekend Argus