Presidential jet costs detailed
Date: 18 October 2002
Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota today disclosed further details of the new presidential jet, revealing that value added tax of about R82-million will be paid in addition to the more than R500-million purchase price.
Lekota said the initial price of the "green aircraft" - a term used to describe the basic aircraft without any interior cabinet fitments or exterior paints - was $37.5-million. The cost of the design, interior fitting and exterior painting is $13.5-million. These figures together translate into more than R500-million.
He said the project was budgeted for the first two years of operations - with the jet expected to arrive in South Africa this month. The budget becomes the responsibility of the SA Air Force. The estimated operating costs, inclusive of fuel, maintenance, in flight services and airport landing fees, are R12-million for the first three years while much of the equipment is under warranty," Lekota said.
Altogether R180-million has been budgeted to cover costs in the first two years, including the training of aircrews and the cost of initial spares, support equipment and VAT costs. The new transport capability was for the provision of air transport for the president and his delegations including ministers, government officials and the media, said Lekota.
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