Americans in SA to hawk their aircraft

This is a rough translation of an Afrikaans article that appeared in the Beeld newspaper:

Erika Gibson

An American delegation will be in the country this week to try and save the South African Air Force from its transport plight.

Should South Africa decide to become part of a U.S. plan to share in that country's aircraft orders, it will be the first time since the early 1960's that South Africa will purchase U.S. aircraft.

South Africa cancelled its order for eight Airbus A400M transport aircraft last year due to various delays and cost increases.

This has left the air force without a transport aircraft capability ability in the short term, while its medium transport aircraft  are fast approaching the end of their service life.

The U.S. visit comes after correspondence was conducted between the two countries' air forces over the last few months about what the Americans can offer.

The Americans, whose air force is suffering from budget cuts, offered an option in other countries can share in their excess military orders.

Mr. Bruce Lemkin, under-secretary of the U.S. Air Force, recently confirmed that the U.S. would help and countries in Africa with this program.

In South Africa's case, the Air Force is interested in the C-27J as well as the Lockheed C-130J, which in a possible combination with Boeing's C-17, would meet all of its future needs.

South Africa also has a great need for maritime patrol aircraft because its' Dakotas, which date to the Second World dates, are not always able to meet the challenge.

Three years ago, the U.S. Air Force ordered 130 of the C-27's which are jointly built by the U.S. and Alenia of Italy, but due to budgetary constraints, will only use around 60.

The rest of the order can be "transferred" to other countries, Helmoed-Römer Heitman, military expert, explained.

This will mean that South Africa - should they take up the option - will be dependent on the Americans for spares for the aircraft in the future.

Lemkin told Aviation Week that the proposed negotiations with South Africa could be a catalyst for closer US ties with that country.

Six African countries have an interest in the American's offer, which apparently is part of the building of the USA's Africa Command interests on the mainland.

This will mean that the U.S. will also help with training aircrew.

According to Lemkin, the C-27 is ideal for air forces that cannot afford larger aircraft.

According to Heitman, South Africa will mainly use these aircraft domestically, while a combination of the C-130 and C-17 will be required for its obligations elsewhere on the continent.

South Africa is still trying to obtain the return of R2, 9 billion which it paid for the A400M contract.

When this money is repaid, the Defence force must also negotiate to return it to its own budget, rather than the state's central account.