DA submits access to information requests on Airbus A400M arms deal
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has, in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (Act No. 2 of 2000), submitted access to information applications requesting copies of documents relating to the deal to procure and develop Airbus A400M transport aircraft for the South African Air Force.
The contract to procure the aircraft and to participate in the development of the aircraft was signed in 2005. But the Airbus A400M programme soon ran into serious trouble including:
- massive cost overruns for the procurement of aircraft from R17 billion in 2005 to R47 billion in 2009; and
- huge costs for the development of the aircraft with government transfers of R673 million already paid to Denel Saab Aerostructures (Pty) Ltd. as part of a R1.6 billion indemnity agreement for development of the Airbus A400M.
The fact is that the Airbus A400M transport aircraft has never even taken to the skies.
Moreover, since the deal was signed, new and murky facts have emerged which raise some serious questions about the Airbus A400M arms deal including:
- there was no tender for the procurement of the aircraft;
- the department of defence reportedly recommended against procuring the aircraft;
- a group of politically connected investors, which included the Speaker of the National Assembly, Max Sisulu, were reportedly involved in a dubious Black Economic Empowerment deal relating to the aircraft; and
- controversial businessman Ivor Ichikowitz is involved with Aerosud, one of the risk sharing partners in the development of the Airbus A400M.
We have therefore submitted access to information applications to seven national departments.
They are:
- The Presidency;
- Department of Defence and Military Veterans;
- Department of Transport;
- Department of Public Enterprises;
- Department of Trade and Industry;
- National Treasury; and
- Government Communication and Information System
We have also submitted an access to information application to the Industrial Development Corporation which was involved in the Black Economic Empowerment component of the Airbus A400M arms deal. It is imperative that we get to the bottom of how it was we allowed ourselves to end up in a position where:
- The cost of procuring the aircraft skyrocketed to R47 billion or nearly R6 billion per aircraft; and
- The development of the aircraft cost money rather than making money with R673 million already transferred to Denel Saab Aerostructures (Pty) Ltd
We cannot afford to be dragged down by a new arms deal scandal which will diminish the already diminished reputation of South Africa.
Statement issued by David Maynier, MP, Democratic Alliance shadow minister of defence and military veterans, December 9 2009
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