The Democratic Alliance appealed on Friday for what it called a "secret arms deal" to acquire up to 14 Airbus military transport aircraft to be suspended until a meeting is held by the defence committee to address "critical questions that surround the deal".

The transport department announced on Thursday South Africa has committed to buying the military aircraft in exchange for investment, technological knowledge and jobs.

The country has agreed to participate in the A400M multi-role mission transport aircraft design and manufacture programme, after it accepted an invitation to do so by Airbus Military.

In return, South Africa is committed to procure between eight and 14 aircraft - valued from €837-million - between 2010 and 2014.

The terms of the agreement between the South African government and Airbus Military were still being negotiated.

"We are confident that a Memorandum of Agreement will be signed in the coming weeks," the department said in a statement.

Airbus Military's Peter Jost said in September a University of the Witwatersrand study had shown that an interest in as few as eight of the aircraft would create at least 401 direct jobs and 2 767 indirect employment opportunities over the programme's projected 50-year life.

It could also add R859-million to the country's gross domestic product over 15 years.

Jost said the South African Air Force (SAAF) needed the aircraft. The existing SAAF transport fleet, a dozen upgraded C130 medium transports and a few, smaller Spanish-built Casa light transports, could not meet future airlift requirements.

In a statement on Friday, DA defence spokesperson Rafeek Shah said he had asked for an urgent meeting of the National Assembly's defence committee to discuss the matter.

Critical questions included whether the "contract (was) put out to tender", on what basis did the defence force require what appeared to be top of the line aircraft in the context of an already over strained defence budget, did the South African government approach the United States government to use surplus US Hercules C130s, and "why was the deal conducted in such secrecy".

"We believe that any deal of this nature should only be signed after a thorough investigation of how the current transport needs of the SANDF are being met. There is every possibility that the strengthening of existing arrangements may be the most cost effective option," Shah said.

With acknowledgements to Jacques Keet, Sapa and Independent Online.