The government's figure for the arms deal package has been dramatically revised from about R42-billion to R52,7-billion because of the recent depreciation of the rand.

This year the government will spend about R4-billion on the package, rising to about R7-billion in 2005/6.

Then, from 2006/7, spending on the package decreases to about R6-billion a year, coming down to R1,1-billion in 2011/12. The arms package includes four naval corvettes, three submarines, 30 light utility helicopters, 24 trainer aircraft and 28 fighter aircraft.

In terms of the agreements signed by the government, the arms will be paid for in dollars.

Andrew Donaldson, deputy director general in the Budget office of the national treasury, said on Wednesday that the steep increase was as a result of the recent depreciation of the rand.

He said it was "unlikely" that the government would revise the cost of the deal upwards of R52-billion since that figure was based on "forward projections" of currency fluctuations and other factors.