The Navy has denied the allegations that they are unable to properly operate the submarines purchased as part of the R49bn arms procurement package. They insist that the submarines are not duds, that the SA Manthatisi is in dry dock as part of "normal naval procedure" and that it was normal naval procedure to rotate submarines. In this case, two are being deployed and the third is being used for onboard training.

One fails to understand how onboard training could have taken place when this submarine has been in dry dock for the past six months. Moreover, they have yet to explain to the South African taxpayer what exactly is wrong with the submarine that it has to be placed in dry dock.

Yet despite these denials, it is clear that the Navy as well as the Air Force are unable to make proper use of the equipment bought at great expense as part of the Arms Deal because of skills vacancies and lack of capacity.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has submitted parliamentary questions that request a full status review of the Arms Deal purchases as well as details on the plans to purchase any further equipment, such as a fifth corvette.

The weapons bought as part of the Arms Deal are largely unsuitable to South Africa's local needs or our peacekeeping role throughout Africa. In addition, we experience serious skills shortages and vacancy issues, which have resulted in our inability to properly utilise the equipment.

For example, the use of the four frigates we already have in our possession has been compromised by continuous skills and personnel shortages and they still need to undergo a substantial technical upgrade before they have the required land-attack and anti-submarine capabilities. 

The problem is not just limited to the Navy. For example, in the Air Force, there are only two Gripen aircraft in South Africa and none are yet operational, leaving South Africa without fighter capacity to defend our airspaces as the older Cheetahs have been decommissioned. In addition, we do not have the pilots and navigators to man the aircraft.  This is compounded by the fact that ground crew for the aircraft have not yet been trained. A third Gripen is expected in this financial year and a total of R39m has been budgeted for operating costs for the three aircraft. This will pay for only 250 flight hours which is insufficient to properly patrol South Africa's air space.

Taking into consideration the excessive costs and the vacancy rates that have plagued the Arms Deal purchases, it is unthinkable that government is talking of purchasing a fifth frigate.

South Africa purchased the following equipment at what was originally estimated to be a cost of R29bn, and is now projected to cost us between R47bn and R60bn:

The DA will continue to pursue the matter at Parliament and will not allow the responsible parties to avoid having to account for their decisions. We will also vigorously oppose the purchase of a fifth frigate.

Statement issued by Rafeek Shah MP, Democratic Alliance spokesperson on defence, August 6 2008