Question NW949 to the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
27 November 2019 - NW949
Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
With reference to her answer to oral question 44 on 4 September 2019 in the National Assembly, what serious challenges does the SA Air Force have with (a) airlift capabilities and (b) the serviceability of our aged aircraft fleet, which is threatening the sovereignty of South Africa, in view of the fact that the essential aircraft maintenance was previously provided by Denel?
Reply:
a) The information requested in part (a) of this question refers to SANDF capabilities and can only be disclosed in a closed session of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence.
(b) Underfunding has a direct effect on:
- Denel Aeronautics losing key personnel
- The continual degradation of maintenance and repair capability and capacity has a pronounced effect on the Air Transport Fleet of the SAAF.
- Inability to fully fund all maintenance contracts has direct effect on survival of local industry like Denel ito the Maintenance and Repair Organisation (MRO) of the C130
- SAAF not fully funded to operate aged and new fleet