Cape Town. The SA Air Force does not have the financial or personnel resources to allow full operational readiness of the new jet fighters and trainers that make up a large part of the R53bn strategic arms acquisitions.

The choice of aircraft has been the subject of much criticism, with suggestions for the remaining two tranches of the purchases to be cancelled. Government has decided for now to proceed with the purchase of the Gripen jet fighters and the Hawk jet trainers.

Defence Minister Mosioua Lekota, replying to a question in Parliament from the Democratic Alliance's Roy Jankielson, said the "present allocation (of pilots, fuel and technicians) will not allow full operational readiness. The current funding and personnel (pilot) retention figures will not suffice for the new systems."

Lekota also said that much of the air force's armoury inventory required for the new aircraft had expired and had to be replaced.

He said that only proper funding of the required capabilities could "ensure the utilisation of the maximum capacity of the new acquisitions". It should not be misunderstood if parts of the systems were held "dormant" that was intended to allow for an "operational surge during crisis".

Replying to a question from the United Democratic Movement's Gerhard Koornhof, Lekota said the SA National Defence Force intended recruiting pilots for the Hawk and Gripen aircraft as well as the Augusta helicopters.

He acknowledged that the air force had a shortage of 17 fighter pilots and 79 helicopter pilots, but stressed that corrective action was being taken.

New measures include newly qualified pilots having to serve for 13 years before they can move on after getting their wings.

Many military pilots have been lost to the private sector, and the air force is implementing a financial incentive scheme aimed at retaining pilots, particularly the experienced ones.

Lekota said initial pilot training cost R1,2m a recruit. Operational training cost R2,02m while operational conversion to the Cheetah aircraft cost R4,6m. Conversion from fixed wing to helicopters cost R1,27m a pilot. This include costs of aircraft, fuel and weapons used during training.

With acknowledgements to Wyndham Harley and Business Day.