South Africa's new fighter jets and fighter training jets bought through the controversial multibillion-rand arms deal could stand idle if the South African Air Force (SAAF) does not implement strategic cost saving measures.

In a no-holds-barred statement the chief of the South African Air Force (SAAF) has said belts would have to be tightened and drastic steps taken to retain skilled staff if the air force was to function properly. Citing budget constraints and inflation, Lieutenant-General Carlo Gagiano said stringent cost-cutting measures would have to be considered if the air force was to maintain its operational capabilities.

Gagiano was speaking at the annual Air Force Day parade at Swartkop Airfield in Thaba Tshwane where the SAAF was celebrating its 88th anniversary.

In a hard-hitting speech he said: "The air force budget remains our biggest challenge. Inflation in the environment in which the air force operates exceeds, in real terms, 15% per annum, while increases in the annual budget allocation have been less than 5%."

Painting a potentially grim picture he said the cost of the ownership of the Strategic Defence Package exceeded that of the systems they were replacing.

This, with no budget improvement, means that the new aircraft such as the Gripen fighter jet and the Hawk lead-in fighter trainers, which were purchased through the controversial arms deal, cannot be used properly.

"The new aircraft cannot be flown at their planned utilisation rates thereby rendering the full use of their superior operational capabilities difficult," said Gagiano.

He said this meant that more stringent economies in areas that did not contribute directly to the operational capabilities of the SAAF would have to be considered.

It is not known whether this would lead to the downsizing or even closing of some units and bases.

Gagiano said other challenges facing the SAAF included retaining skilled personnel.

"The SAAF has continued to experience a major outflow of skilled personnel. It is a well-known fact that the public sector cannot compete with the private sector with regards remuneration packages.

"This is clearly seen in the previously mentioned drain of expertise and skills from the air force to the private sector during 2007, when 82% of those who left were non-commissioned officers with more than half of these being from technical musterings. The air force cannot accept an erosion of its skilled personnel of this magnitude," he said.

Gagiano, while calling on leaders in the aviation business to get together to address the threat of losing personnel, said that during 2008 steps would have to be conceived and implemented to counter it.

He said in pursuing its goal of air power excellence the air force had identified six strategic focus areas that needed particular attention.

"These are command and control, operational readiness, support optimisation, HR optimisation, affordability and accountability at all levels."

Gagiano said that despite these challenges the SAAF would continue to evolve into a tactical and deployable force and would continue to participate in the peace-support initiatives of the government.

With acknowledgement to Graeme Hosken and Pretoria News.