The DA called for the chief of the air force to explain to Parliament why the air force’s Rooivalk attack helicopters have apparently been grounded.

CAPE TOWN ­ The Democratic Alliance (DA) called yesterday for the chief of the air force, Carlo Gagiano, to explain to Parliament why the air force’s admired Rooivalk attack helicopters have apparently been grounded.

DA defence spokesman David Maynier based his call on recent reports, including last month in Jane’s Defence Weekly, that the 12 Rooivalks in 16 squadron had been put in storage outside Bloemfontein and were not flying.

Mr Maynier said “the DA believes that the chief of the South African Air Force, Gen Carlo Gagiano, should appear before the portfolio committee on defence and military veterans to explain why the air force’s Rooivalk attack helicopters have reportedly been grounded and are in storage outside Bloemfontein”.

He said Defence Minister Lindiwe Sisulu “has refused to brief the portfolio committee on defence on the combat readiness of the defence force.

“The fact that the air force’s attack helicopter squadron is in deep trouble is exactly the kind of information that is being hidden from Parliament. The committee has a constitutional duty to provide effective oversight of the defence department and will therefore have to drill down into the state of readiness of the South African Air Force.”

Mr Maynier said he will ask the chairman of the committee, Mnyami Booi, to invite Gen Gagiano to brief it. He said the briefing should cover why the helicopters are in storage and what plans there are for the Rooivalk programme.

Helmoed Heitman, a defence consultant and correspondent for Jane’s, said the Rooivalk had the misfortune of being developed as the “war” came to an end and hence limped along as funding was reduced for the programme.

He understood the aircraft were in temporary storage in their hangars pending a decision on their future and the availability of funding to fly them.

Mr Heitman’s article recorded that the Rooivalk first flew in 1990. The plan was to build 36 aircraft but funding cuts delayed the project, with only 12 built and entering service by 1999.

“As a result of the protracted on-off development, these Rooivalks were not up to the planned final statement, but the squadron quickly demonstrated impressive operational and tactical capabilities despite this, including long-range operations,” Mr Heitman wrote.

The export potential for the aircraft was not realised despite “very positive evaluations”.

A potential contract with Turkey was lost when Eurocopter declined to supply gearboxes.

The air force could not be reached for comment yesterday.

hartleyw@bdfm.co.za

With acknowledgements to Wyndham Hartley and Business Day.

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I think the main admirers of the Rooivalk helicopter are Mr Heitman and the marketing team at Denel.

Less admiring were probably the pilot and co-pilot of the Rooivalk that crashed and was written off.

Because then there were only 11.

But that never made Lt Gen Gagiano's job of finding the avgas needed to fly these things.

Maybe they'll fly one of these at AAD2010 in September at AFB Ysterplaat. The paying public and exhibitors pay a few million Rand in attendance and participation fees and so there should be a few grand for some avtur and a keen pilot.

Be there - it might be the last time you see a Rooivalk or a Cheetah C - even a Gripen JAS39.