Cape Town - Water Affairs and Forestry Minister Ronnie Kasrils yesterday made a spirited defence of government's controversial arms procurement package.

Speaking in Guguletu at the launch of a Saab-BAE Systems investment project to produce a device for combating alien vegetation, he said: "This project is about growing our economy projects like this are creating and securing jobs."

The programme to produce and distribute the Swedish-patented Ecoplug is part of Saab-BAE Systems' $7,2bn industrial participation obligation SA tied to its purchase of 28 Gripen and 24 Hawk fighter aircraft.

Saab-BAE Systems' Bernard Collier said the 14 industrial participation projects would be worth $5,6bn in investment and sales over the next 11 years.  

With acknowledgment to Tamar Kahn and Business Day.