DoD briefing to the Defence portfolio Committee reveals new projects and plans

The Department of Defence presented its annual report briefing to the Portfolio Committeeon on Defence (PCD) today.

The Department of Defence briefing focused on its integrated management system, its efforts to address the lack of capacity within the Department and the alignment of the Department's rejuvenation strategy with the Human Resources 2010 policy. During the discussion Members raised concern with the skill shortages within the Department and the rejuvenation of reserves.

The following is an extract from the presentation related to Air Defence:

PCD throughout supports the allocation of more funds towards:

Retention of Skills and Experiences Shortages

SA Air Force is establishing a three-pillar approach to resolve retention issue in medium to long term:

• Pillar 1. Improved recruitment and selection ensuring only candidates seeking a long-term SA Air Force career. Will address current phenomenon where members join the Air Force to acquire scarce skills and then move to alternative employment at the earliest opportunity
• Pillar 2. Improved career management of members removing obstacle to self-fulfilment. Members will work in an enabling environment, conducive to a high level of personal development, satisfaction and performance. It will make members less likely to leave the organisation in search of alternative employment
• Pillar 3. Remuneration at a level where specialised members are fairly and reasonably compensated for their specialised skills, and where the difference between military and commercial remuneration is not so disparate that members wish to change careers for financial benefit only. Operating budget is being significantly depleted to fund improvements in incentive schemes to retain scarce skills. An intervention at the level of National Treasury and the Department of Public Service and Administration is required to find a solution

Deteriorating Aircraft Systems which affect Training of Personnel

Detailed plans addressing critical system integrity issues are being implemented. Some examples are:

• A Policy Proposal, for funding an avionics upgrade on the Astra basic training aircraft will be presented at the June 2007 Departmental and Budgeting Evaluation Committee
• A proposed holistic approach to resolve the requirement for air transport affecting both the B707 and C130 systems, is due to be presented to the Operations Staff Council in the near future
• The Cessna 185 system, presently not maintaining flying status, will more likely be phased out earlier than the planned date of 2009. Alternative solutions to meet operational requirments are being considered, such as utilising the Air Force Reserve Squadrons and the C208 (Cessna Caravan) fleet to take over the Cessna 185 functions

SA Air Force Force Preparation and Force Employment Funded at Cost of Longer Term Need

• A number of initiatives are in progress to improving resource balancing in the SA Air Force
  - An example is the present approach of meeting basic helicopter flying training requirement through outsourcing the training at a greatly reduced cost and with excellent results
  A study has been completed to present the first phase of basic flying training at a low-cost, side-by-side, basic flying training.
  - This will relieve the pressure on the Astra fleet, allowing the SA Air Force to address some of the longer-term system integrity requirements.
• Initiatives are underway to reduce the footprint and cost drivers of the Air Force by amalgamating, relocating or rightsizing of units and functions. Eg the possible move of the Air Force Gymnasium from it's present dolomite infested location to the Boston facility at Hoedspruit (presently partially utilised by the SA Police Service)

The report also mentions a project for the acquisition and supply of Tactical Intelligence Systems. Integration of sensors into the Cessna Caravan will occur in the second quarter of 2007, with development of the data link by the end of 2007 and delivery of three additional sensors in early 2008. The preferred bidders are Denel Optronics as main contractor and Aerosud as the mechanical subcontractor.