Letters

As yet another vessel sails into our harbours (no doubt with a great deal of money going to some company overseas), you state, "the power of the sea has finally been brought to the people".

A bit ludicrous when you consider that as Graeme Hosken puts it: "Each corvette will have an Agusta-Westland SuperLynx helicopter based on board which will be used to hunt and destroy submarines and provide intelligence and information on enemy ships."

When last did SA destroy or need to destroy a submarine?

Will we ever find the need to do that in the next 40 years?

Perhaps a smaller patrol vessel would've been a more cost-effective way of nabbing the odd fish-filshing trawler....

But yes, let's celebrate the fact that we just spent millions on the Rear Admiral's newest toy!

With acknowledgements to Volker Butow and Independent Online.

Response to Volker Butow -01

GW
2004-11-05
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?click_id=552&set_id=1&letter_id=6298&topic_id=36&anon=n

In many aspects I agree with you Volker.

However, when you look at the fact that we probably have an ageing fleet anyway, we probably need the upgrade.

Piracy off the coast of poorer nations is rampant. So is illegal fishing where trawlers from richer countries enter the fishing grounds of poorer nations, plunder resources, whilst these poorer nations have no ability to stop them.

I believe that if we utilise the fast corvettes efficiently we can protect our property.

Remember, that we only have a few of the awesome machines, and we have a large coastline to protect.

With ackowledgement to GW and Independent Online.

Response to Volker Butow -02

LL
2004-11-10
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?click_id=552&set_id=1&letter_id=6321&topic_id=36&anon=n

"Will we ever find the need to do that in the next 40 years?"

Yes, it's true that those Corvettes cost an arm and a leg and it's also true that we have other priorities where those funds could be channeled (sic).

Since everlasting peace and stability cannot be guaranteed for long on our shores, it's also important to put security and protection of citizens first. Today, we are constantly faced with threats of terrorist bombings, drug cartels, encroachment on our shores by shady characters from all over the world, smuggling and other acts to which our resources are diverted in the long run.

I guess for government, it was a case of trying to accommodate other wants while operating on a tight budget.

With acknowledgements to LL and Independent Online.

Response to Volker Butow -03

Peter van der Linden
2004-11-19
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?click_id=552&set_id=1&letter_id=6414&topic_id=36&anon=n

Well, I suppose everyone has more or less the same feelings about the arms issue - do we need them or don't we? The main issue really is whether the government officials approving the deals need a new car or house or more money - then anything can be justified.

In my opinion SA is such an important country in the world that if ever any of the "eastern" countries make war on us then both the UK and US would immediately help out and if the US and UK make war on us we're stuffed.

I agree with the previous letter writer - funds can be better spent on medical, the aged, services and education.

Then again it's the big boys with their expensive toys syndrome.

With acknowledgements to Peter van der Linden and Independent Online.