Chapter 2 - P rogramme 1 - Department of Defence

| Chapter 5 - Programme 3: Air Defence |
Annual Report FY 2007 - 2008 130
| Department of Defence |
Table 5.2 Air Defence Programme: Planned Exercises for FY 2007/08 (continued)
Exercise (Name and Type) Actual Achievement
Infrared Camp The Infrared Camp was cancelled due to the unavailability of
new-generation flares from Chemring Countermeasures in the
United Kingdom. These flares will be delivered in April 2008.
Exercise PEGASUS The exercise was successfully conducted over the period 24
February to 8 March 2008. Two C208s from 41 Squadron and
two CN212s from 44 Squadron were tasked to deploy at AFB
Bloemspruit. The aircraft on deployment travelled on a daily
basis to and from Maseru to execute missions planned for the
exercise, together with Lesotho Defence Force air transport
elements.
Risks and Mitigation Actions
One of the main risks is the declining numbers of
suitably skilled and experienced personnel in all
SAAF disciplines. While some progress was made
with retention through improving incentives for
aircrew and technicians, the challenge remains due to
the strong pull from the private sector, especially the
aviation industry. Reserve pilots have been appointed
to supplement the loss of skilled personnel, but this
has had only a limited effect on the overall problem.
The loss of skilled personnel continued to hamper
the implementation of the new aircraft systems.
Coupled with prolonged underfunding, this situation
has led to the operating of aircraft systems at levels
far below the optimum.
Solutions such as improved accountability, better
efficiency and improved career management to
effect skills retention are pursued. Static and mobile
navigation and surveillance systems are old and have
become progressively difficult and expensive to
maintain. This has affected aircraft system integrity
negatively. The deterioration of Air Base operational
support infrastructure and equipment has continued.
RAMP contracts currently in force at AFB
Waterkloof are all funded from the Defence capital
expenditure budget, with lapsed/lapsing contracts at
AFB Makhado and SAAF Headquarters Unit being
extended for shorter intervals (one to 12 months)
within the bounds of DOD cashflow limitations. A
special allocation received from National Treasury
enabled the SAAF to continue planned maintenance
actions on operational infrastructure at most bases.
Public-Private Partnership Agreements
A possible Public-Private Partnership (PPP) for the
commercial co-use of Air Force Base Ysterplaat
was registered at National Treasury on 8 February
2007. Advertisements for a transaction advisor were
placed and a Compulsory Site Briefing was held at
the base to brief prospective bidders. The SAAF
raised concerns with the awarding of the contract, a
matter that is now in the hands of the DOD senior
management for possible resolution. The possible
PPP for the commercial co-use of Air Force Base
Overberg has led to a drafted co-use agreement
that was distributed to all relevant stakeholders
for perusal by the Overberg District Municipality’s
consultant. A new mayor and management staff have
been recently appointed who are still to familiarise
themselves with the concept. It is anticipated that
once the new Overberg District Municipality
management has bought into the co-use concept, an
agreement will be signed, resulting in an envisaged
reduction in the cost of ownership of the base.
Additional Funding
Table 5.3 Air Defence Programme: Additional Funding for FY 2007/08
Details of the Air Defence Programme’s additional
funding are shown in Table 5.3.
Policy Option
Allocation
(R’000)
Output Targets Actual Achievement / Reasons for Deviations
Base Support 18 000 Recovery/maintenance of More than the allocated amount was spent, as the
operational infrastructure total requirement of the Air Force far exceeded the
additional allocation of Rm18, with the balance made
good from the Air Force’s operating budget. Total
spent on operational infrastructure: Rm24 326.