The country's navy says the newly acquired state-of-the art corvettes and battle ships will make it possible for the force to swiftly deal with any action that threatens the sovereignty of the country. Reporting on the State of the Navy in Pretoria today, Rear Admiral Johannes Mudimu said the shipment that comprised navy ships and submarines were in test operations and ready to deal with any threat. The naval warship, the first to be acquired by the country in 16 years, is part of the multibillion arms deal package that will see national defence force strengthened with four corvettes, three submarines, 30 utility helicopters, 24 Hawk lead-in fighter trainers and 28 Gripen advanced fighter aircraft from several giant international military manufacturers, over the next few years.

"Despite various problems which are not uncommon with the building of a brand new class of ship, the corvette building programme is progressing well", he said. He said two ships had already been launched and a third would follow shortly. The SAS Amatola (F145) - the first of its class - has already conducted a series of ship and machinery trials, and the SAS Isandlwana will be conducting its trials later this year. Turning his focus to integration within the navy, Rear Admiral Mudimu said the process had been successful since all former Apla and MK cadres were now part of the navy family. "The integration process was successful.

Whoever was part of Apla and other organizations are able to compete equally with their counterparts who were part of the old navy", he noted. Meanwhile, Chief of the Navy Vice Admiral J.F. Retief welcomed the defence budget announced by Finance Minister Trevor Manuel of about R20,5 billion, last month. He added that defence spending was up there with the rest of the world. He said, however, that South Africa had one of the lowest budgets in terms of Gross Domestic Product. GDP ratios in the world is at 1,68 percent which is below the defence spending limit of 2,1 percent. Vice Admiral Refief said the navy's share (excluding capital) was R1,05 billion which would make it easy to acquire much needed military hardware and new technologies and complete outstanding problems such as transformation and personnel skills development.

Issued by: Government Communication Information System By Tebogo Mantu (012) 314 2419

With acknowledgement to Sapa.