Letters

The article "Navy frigates benefit local companies to tune of R860m" in the Cape Times (November 16) stated that South African defence industries have benefited to the value of R860 million from the four Valour-class frigates bought as part of the arms deal package.

Two articles on the Navy website state that the South African Navy tested four Exocet missiles fired from the frigates in June and November 2007.

In a reply to a recent parliamentary question to the minister of defence, the Democratic Alliance (DA) learnt that E27.8m was paid for 17 Exocet surface-to-surface missiles for use on the four Valour frigates. In rands, this amounts to approximately R270 772m - just for the missiles.

The 17 Exocet missiles were divided into six Block 1- and 11 Block 2- type missiles.

Four of the six Block 1 missiles have been fired in tests, leaving only two Block 1 missiles for all four ships. On the basis of available figures, each missile cost the South African taxpayer approximately R16m. In other words, a total of approximately R64m has been spent on tests.

While it may be the case that defence industries are benefiting from the equipment bought in the arms deal, it must also be recognised that the equipment itself is very expensive to maintain and keep operational over the medium to long term.

The DA has always maintained that spending vast amounts of money on the SANDF should not be a priority when there are so many other pressing needs. However, our Navy is now left with two Block 1 missiles and 11 Block 2 missiles, and will have to re-arm the vessels at additional cost. Apparently none of the Block 2 missiles have been tested yet.

The DA will be questioning the minister of defence on the following:

• What are the costs of each missile?
• How many Block 1 and Block 2 missiles will be used for routine testing on an annual basis, and how often will they be replaced and at what cost?
• What type of missiles are tested and how many remain after each test?
• Are new missiles going to be purchased to replace the ones used for testing in 2007, and if so, what are the relevant details?
• Are there any plans to test the Block 2 missiles?
• What are the projected maintenance and operational costs of the frigates and other arms deal equipment over the next five, 10 and 15 years respectively?
• Which companies benefit from the offsets, and by how much?

Eddie Trent, MP
Democratic Alliance
Spokesperson on the Arms Deal
Parliament
Cape Town

With acknowledgements to Eddie Trent and Cape Times.