Boeing has delivered a Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) to the South African Air Force for VIP use, Defence Systems Daily (DSD) reported on Wednesday.

News that this type of aircraft would be purchased for use by President Thabo Mbeki caused a furore when first made public.

The presidency maintained that Mbeki could not fly long-distance commercial flights for safety reasons at that the SAAF's existing VIP aircraft were all to short in endurance.

The jet was purchased for the SA Air Force by the defence department's acquisitions agency, Armscor.

Reports said the cost would be closer to R600-million

The BBJ, the first to be based in South Africa, would be used for intercontinental VIP transport.

"The technical evaluation found that one aircraft, the BBJ, could meet our stringent mission requirements," said Brigadier General George van Niekerk, during the delivery ceremony on June 26 at Boeing Field at Seattle, Washington, in the United States.

"Our missions, normally departing from the Air Force Base Waterkloof, in Pretoria, with special altitude and temperature conditions, require non-stop flights to most European destinations and this airplane came close to meeting all of our specifications perfectly."

Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota in May said the aircraft would cost taxpayers about R408-million - R300-million for the aircraft itself and R108-million for its interior.

Reports said the cost would be closer to R600-million when the cost of delivery, spares, training, the upgrading of the SAAF's maintenance facilities and new support equipment were included.

'Denel will be contracted to build the 20 helicopter airframes'

The British-based DSD reported that the BBJ was designed for corporate and VIP applications. It is a special, high-performance derivative of the Next-Generation 737-700.

"The addition of auxiliary fuel tanks provides owners with a business jet platform having a maximum range capability of 11 480km, while requiring less than 1829m of runway," it said.

DSD last week also reported that the state-owned Denel company would benefit from a Swedish purchase of Italian helicopters of the same specification as those on order for the SAAF.

South Africa in 1999 ordered 30 Agusta A109 Military helicopters as part of its controversial multi-billion arms acquisition programme. Sweden, during the recent Paris Air Show, ordered 20.

"Denel will be contracted to build the 20 helicopter airframes at its Kempton Park facilities thus expanding on the overall direct South African participation in the Light Utility Helicopter programme," DSD reported.  

With acknowledgement to Sapa and Independent Online.