'Don't let the Gripens rust'
Date: 22 July 2006
The following is a (very) rough extract from an Afrikaans article that appeared in Beeld:
The DA has warned that South Africa's new Gripen fighter aircraft, of which the first had recently arrived, must not stand and gather dust in the hanger.
Mr Roy Jankielsohn, DA MP, said yesterday in a statement that the DA will ask the Minister of Defence, Mr Mosiuoa Lekota, a series of questions about the use of the fighter aircraft, the training of pilots and the fuel for the aircraft.
The first Gripen will enter service in 2008. The aircraft must first undergo a series of tests.
The 28 fighter aircraft cost the county around R15 billion and Jankielsohn said that taxpayers are entitled to know how their money was being spent. He said there was confusion about this. Although a departmental official said that the fighter aircraft will only be used for peace-keeping duties, it was also reported that it would be used for air defence and attack.
Jankielsohn said a shortage of trained pilots and fuel was previously a problem for the Airforce and the DA wanted to know if these problems will receive attention.
Mr Sam Mkhwanazi, spokesman for the Department of Defence, was not available to react to the statement.
