Government goes ahead with fighter-plane deal
Date: 5 April 2002
The South African government has ignored opposition and civil society calls to cancel the purchase of 12 extra British Aerospace Hawk trainer jets in the second part of a fighter-aircraft deal expected to gobble R24-billion out of the nation's treasury.
Under the agreement between the South African government and British Aerospace, South Africa had until last Monday to cancel the second part of the arms acquisition deal reached last year. The South African government has so far remained mum on the decision it took but the Independent Foreign Service has it on good authority that it has decided to proceed with the purchase of the 12 extra Hawks at a cost of about R3-billion.
South Africa has already bought the first batch of 12 Hawks from British Aerospace and nine dual-seat Gripens made by British Aerospace and the Swedish firm Saab. The first batch of Hawks will be delivered from 2003 and is already being manufactured. The second batch will be delivered from 2006 following the government's latest decision to proceed with the deal.
The South African government now has until March 31, 2004 to cancel the third and last part of the arms deal which will see the acquisition of a further 19 single-seat Gripens.
Extract from an article in the Cape Argus
