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Preferred bidders named for Biro and Hotel
http://www.saairforce.co.za/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=9076
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Author:  maheshdeva [ 05 May 2017, 18:23 ]
Post subject:  Re: Preferred bidders named for Biro and Hotel

These ships are not that bad...

http://www.damen.com/-/media/Products/I ... 0_2014.pdf

Author:  Roger the Dodger [ 06 May 2017, 09:43 ]
Post subject:  Re: Preferred bidders named for Biro and Hotel

maheshdeva wrote:


Indeed Damen has good products

Author:  Dean [ 01 Jul 2017, 09:56 ]
Post subject:  Re: Preferred bidders named for Biro and Hotel

Ai tog ...

Fin24
Quote:
Denel could land in hot water over links with tainted Chinese firm

2017-06-30 08:02 - Kyle Venktess, Fin24

State-own defence technology company Denel could land itself in hot water for flouting tender regulations if a deal with a tainted Chinese conglomerate goes ahead.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between Denel and Poly Technologies was allegedly done on condition that this Chinese firm will have a stake in South African naval operations that include Simon's Town and Saldanha Bay and potential involvement in two colossal maritime projects.

Denel could be flouting tender regulation for their involvement with the dubious Chinese company.

Poly Technologies, a brokerage firm and subsidiary of Chinese defence manufacturing company Poly Group Corporation, is shrouded by controversy and is currently under Amnesty Watch for alleged unregulated arms supplies into the rest of Africa and the Middle East.

Denel is gunning for a stake in two of the country’s largest maritime projects - totaling around R10bn – which since have been put on ice, with Poly Technologies also included in the prospective suppliers list for Denel.

Armscor, the acquisition agency for the Department of Defence (DoD), has confirmed that several companies have entered their bids for Project Hotel and Project Biro, which had been approved by National Treasury for the 2017/18 financial year.

In February this year, the government-owned arms procurement enterprise announced the appointment of the preferred bidders for Projects Biro and Hotel, which will see the construction of three inshore and three offshore patrol vessels and a hydrographic survey vessel respectively.

Lulu Mzili, general manager of marketing and business development at Armscor, told Fin24 the appointment of the preferred bidders "is subject to the successful negotiation of detailed technical and commercial conditions with the aim of arriving at a contracting position for the execution of the projects".

Negotiations have since been ongoing and nothing has been concluded as yet.

Despite the contracts not officially having been awarded, Denel - which has no shipbuilding or shipyard experience - has enlisted the services of Poly Technologies, with the latter still in the running for involvement in the projects.

The preferred bidder for Project Hotel is Durban-based Southern African Shipyards (SAS), while Damen Shipyards Cape Town (DSCT) was named preferred bidder for the in and offshore patrol vessels, but this project has been deferred to the 2018/19 financial year.

The DoD preferred to remain silent on the awarding of contracts, but confirmed to the Sunday Times previously that the awarding of the contracts were dependent on the involvement of Denel and their bidding partner, Poly Technologies.

Denel was quoted by DefenceWeb previously as being “thrilled to partner with Poly Technologies” and saying that there was “a synergy between companies that will lead to a beneficial relationship and add value to our primary client”, the SA Navy.

However, the projects could see further delays if National Treasury find irregularities in awarding of the tenders.

Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba recently halted the controversial joint venture between Denel and VR Laser Asia, a company liked to the Guptas.

"The matter has been taken to court by Denel and National Treasury has filed its response to Denel’s affidavit," Treasury spokesperson Yolisa Tyantsi told Fin24 via email.

"The minister has expressed his concern about a state-owned entity taking another state entity to court, suggesting ideally that there should be intergovernmental discussions," she added.

The move by Poly Technologies forms part of its efforts to expand into Africa. Its involvement in the projects could lead to the company gaining control of the Simon’s Town naval base after a R800m boost for upgrades of the facility. This move is currently being opposed by SA Naval bigwigs.

Fin24 repeatedly attempted to approach Denel for comment via phone, email and text messages on their involvement and investment by Poly Technologies for their stake in the tenders and rejuvenation of the Simon’s Town base, but they were not available for comment.

Who is Poly Technologies?

Poly Technologies is a defence manufacturing company and China’s biggest arms exporter with headquarters in Beijing. It supplies arms to numerous countries in Africa, including Zimbabwe and Sudan and is heavily involved in the Nigerian defence.

Most recently, Namibian Defence Force cancelled a N$156m transaction with Poly Technologies after mounting pressure from the US Treasury Department, which blocked the payment citing sanctions against the company, DefenceWeb reported.

In 2013, Poly Technologies was placed under US sanctions for allegedly selling illegal weapons to Iran, North Korea and Syria and considered hostile to US interests.

The Namibian government also seized nearly N$3.6m from former Defence Force chief Lieutenant General Martin Shalli, who received money Poly Technologies as commission over the sale of a warship to the Namibian Navy, DefenceWeb reported.

Amnesty International, a non-governmental organisation focusing on human rights, previously stated that Poly Technologies had been on its radar for a long time because of its shipments of arms to conflict zones, especially in Africa.

“Poly Tech (Inc) has been on Amnesty (International)’s radar for a long time because of their arms shipments to conflict zones, especially Africa. There’s been an effort to shine a spotlight on Poly’s failure to apply any kind of international human rights standards to their exports of weapons,” according to Amnesty International.

“Skepticism about the Chinese to regulate their own arms trade is well founded when you have a company like Poly that is so diversified and has such strong connections, or ‘guangxi,’ with the Chinese leadership,” stated Frank Jannuzi, the head of rights group Amnesty International in Washington DC."

Author:  Roger the Dodger [ 02 Jul 2017, 11:32 ]
Post subject:  Re: Preferred bidders named for Biro and Hotel

Well this explains quite a lot - the "drying up" of further information after Armscor's initial announcement
It seems to me that someone at Denel thinks they are "automatically" entitled to a piece of the action - just because of who they are - obviously does not understand what competitive bidding actually means. They also don't seem to learn from experience of chosing unsuitable partners.

Author:  Dean [ 25 Aug 2017, 18:33 ]
Post subject:  Re: Preferred bidders named for Biro and Hotel

25 August 2017: defenceWeb

Quote:
Request for Offer for SA Navy offshore patrol vessels withdrawn

The SA Navy’s offshore patrol capabilities will be firmly on the bridges of its Valour Class frigates, Heroine Class submarines, the supply and replenishment platform SAS Drakensberg and converted strikecraft for the foreseeable future.

With the demand for its patrol capability to be increased, the maritime arm of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) asked Armscor to make public a Request for Information (RfI) for six patrol platforms – three inshore and three offshore.

In February, Armscor said Damen Shipyards Cape Town (DSC) was the preferred bidder for all six hulls.

Now its chunk of new SA Navy business has effectively been halved.

Solomzi Mbada, Armscor Group Executive Manager: Corporate Support, said in response to a defenceWeb enquiry “the Project Biro OPVs (offshore patrol vessels) RfO (Request for Offer) has been cancelled”.

As far as the inshore patrol vessels and the Navy’s new hydrographic vessels (Project Hotel) are concerned, the State’s defence and security acquisition agency is still negotiating with shipyards, Mbada said.

South African Shipyards in Durban was named the preferred bidder for Project Hotel in February, for a new hydrographic survey vessel to replace the SAS Protea.

The acquisition of the new fit for purpose patrol vessels ties in with the blue economy component of Operation Phakisa. The Navy is tasked with the protection of maritime resources, including minerals, oil and gas as well as protein while South Africa’s shipbuilding industry is to showcase its abilities building what was going to be seven hulls.

Indications from government are that the blue economy sector of Operation Phakisa will be contributing R177 billion to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2033. This will come from direct and indirect maritime operations such as shipbuilding and maintenance, offshore exploration and exploitation of resources and protection of these resources as well as preventing pollution and poaching.

Author:  Stealth Fighter [ 28 Aug 2017, 16:37 ]
Post subject:  Re: Preferred bidders named for Biro and Hotel

maybe this has something to do it

http://tass.com/defense/961892

Author:  Roger the Dodger [ 28 Aug 2017, 20:00 ]
Post subject:  Re: Preferred bidders named for Biro and Hotel

Stealth Fighter wrote:
maybe this has something to do it

http://tass.com/defense/961892


Doubt it, those are not patrol vessels, they may be offered as part of the MRS and SF small boat requirement.

Author:  Benguela [ 29 Sep 2017, 11:25 ]
Post subject:  Re: Preferred bidders named for Biro and Hotel

So... what happens now?

Any rumors?

Author:  Roger the Dodger [ 29 Sep 2017, 19:56 ]
Post subject:  Re: Preferred bidders named for Biro and Hotel

Benguela wrote:
So... what happens now?

Any rumors?

Wait for better days.....
http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?o ... Itemid=106
http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?o ... tid=51:Sea

Author:  Rosh [ 04 Oct 2017, 06:45 ]
Post subject:  Re: Preferred bidders named for Biro and Hotel

I hope someone makes a call to fully restore the existing strike craft with better armament and equipment. Should be cheaper instead of having new ships built.
We'll all appreciate them being back at their full abilities and looks :D

Alternatively, there are also at least two unused mine hunter hulls available. ..

Author:  gripen1 [ 04 Oct 2017, 08:10 ]
Post subject:  Re: Preferred bidders named for Biro and Hotel

Rosh wrote:
I hope someone makes a call to fully restore the existing strike craft with better armament and equipment. Should be cheaper instead of having new ships built.
We'll all appreciate them being back at their full abilities and looks :D

Alternatively, there are also at least two unused mine hunter hulls available. ..

The Gabrial 2 missile is obsolete now although there are newer versions of them but for political reasons they won't go for anything Israeli. To re-equip an old hull will be too expensive. Either way there is no money. The government is running out of money fast. Really sad imo.

Author:  Benguela [ 05 Oct 2017, 16:30 ]
Post subject:  Re: Preferred bidders named for Biro and Hotel

Does anyone have any internal photos or plans of the strike craft after their conversion to OPV's?

When the aft gun was removed... what happened to the aft gun bay?

When I served on strike craft in the 1990's they were so cramped that we sometimes grabbed a mattress and slept in the aft gun bay.

Author:  Dean [ 05 Oct 2017, 17:21 ]
Post subject:  Re: Preferred bidders named for Biro and Hotel

Been a while since I was last in the converted strike craft, but I think the aft gun bay is used for accomodation/mess.

Author:  micfradus [ 13 Oct 2017, 22:13 ]
Post subject:  Re: Preferred bidders named for Biro and Hotel

I told you a while ago biro will have a Chinese design. Nothing is ever certain until its being build. It was easy to see Winthrop all the state signings. And poly says they haven't ever violated in And us sanctions on said company only pushes the anti us stance even further

Author:  micfradus [ 13 Oct 2017, 22:16 ]
Post subject:  Re: Preferred bidders named for Biro and Hotel

Don't forget Africa fire the most part really like China. And I tried to explain Nobody cares if us sanctions anymore. China has too much economic and military might to care. They will have a stake in biro and phakisa. Just like they will build islands. And like they will threaten us with war if they attack North Korea. China has the power

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