Possible permanent grounding for either Gripen or Hawk coming

OrbitalDawn

OrbitalDawn

Ulysses Everett McGill
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http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=42865#.VvqHlsMbbr4.facebook

The SA Air Force’s (SAAF) 10% budget cut for the 2016/17 financial year coupled with the Rand’s decreasing value could mean the closure of either 2 Squadron or 35 Combat Flying School, according to a weekend report.

“If it comes down to choosing between taking the Hawk Lead-In Fighter Trainer or the Gripen fighter out of service the Hawk will be scrapped,” military analyst Helmoed Heitman is reported as saying by Netwerk24.

The 10% decrease in the budget of the airborne arm of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) is actually double that because replacement parts for the military jets have to be paid for in dollars, or pounds in the case of the British built Hawks. The news service said the value of the Rand had dropped by 30% against major international currencies, including the dollar and Euro over the past year.

If the Hawk is withdrawn from service it will mean the SAAF has had only 10 years of service from the 24 Lead-In Fighter Trainers acquired as part of the multi-billion Rand Arms Deal.

When the aircraft were acquired, spare and replacement parts were kept to an absolute minimum to keep the purchase price as low as possible.

“Now the money has dried up and along with it, the minimum available replacement and spare parts,” the news service reported.

As an example it quoted the replacement price of an ejection seat for the Hawk as costing in the region of R14 million.

Efforts to save money have already seen four Hawks cannibalised for parts. Three of these aircraft have, according to the news service, been written off after various accidents.
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They have served their purpose - making a lot of ANC cadres very rich. Now they can be mothballed.
 
Kilgore_Trout_Redux said:
They have served their purpose - making a lot of ANC cadres very rich. Now they can be mothballed.
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Still think they should just cut to the chase and add a "Corruption" item to the national budget. Much cheaper than buying all this crap just as cover.
 
Kilgore_Trout_Redux said:
They have served their purpose - making a lot of ANC cadres very rich. Now they can be mothballed.
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Still think they should just cut to the chase and add a "Corruption" item to the national budget. Much cheaper than buying all this crap just as cover.
 
Have a look at the Defenceweb article. More importantly, have a look at the comments.
Most of these people are in the defence industry and they generally call BS on any article written by Erika Gibson since she is known to get her facts wrong.
 
AntennaMan said:
Have a look at the Defenceweb article. More importantly, have a look at the comments.
Most of these people are in the defence industry and they generally call BS on any article written by Erika Gibson since she is known to get her facts wrong.
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Chickie Boo who wrote it is known for BS articles about the SANDF.

"Efforts to save money have already seen four Hawks cannibalised for parts." Source?

"with only seven Hawk qualified pilot" Really? So what happened to the other 40+?

"only five pilots who can fly the 26 Gripens" Just last year that number was around 14, so 14-3=5??

"half of which are already in storage." Thought this matter has been cleared up? They are in rotation not storage!
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OrbitalDawn said:
^Ironically that guy also doesn't post any sources for his claims, so...

Anyway, she's citing Helmoed-Römer Heitman for a lot of it, and a guy from Solidarity who represents many of those leaving.

Original article:

http://www.netwerk24.com/Nuus/Politiek/lugmag-sal-n-eskader-moet-sluit-20160326
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Heitman was also speculating, not saying that it was happening. She has twisted his words to fit the story. If Heitman had first hand knowledge of impending squadron closures he would have written an article himself.
 
Why do they still need the SANDF? They're useless, who the hell would want to invade this country? So what exactly are they stil needed for, kids took them out in the DRC... Waste of time and money. They can be put to better use in the country.
 
freddster said:
Why do they still need the SANDF? They're useless, who the hell would want to invade this country? So what exactly are they stil needed for, kids took them out in the DRC... Waste of time and money. They can be put to better use in the country.
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What are you smoking ?
 
freddster said:
Why do they still need the SANDF? They're useless, who the hell would want to invade this country? So what exactly are they stil needed for, kids took them out in the DRC... Waste of time and money. They can be put to better use in the country.
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The thing is we don't know, that is why you have an army.

As for what they are actually doing atm, it is peacekeeping in the rest of Africa.
 
FoXtroT said:
What are you smoking ?
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Not enough to know that the SANDF is useless. Had a discussion on the matter like 8 years ago, discussed what is would take to deal with the SANDF even at that time, some suggested 1000 properly trained mercenaries, others went as low as a 100. (Just an analysis of what the SANDF is capable of, not intending to take them on, we'r in IT)
konfab said:
The thing is we don't know, that is why you have an army.

As for what they are actually doing atm, it is peacekeeping in the rest of Africa.
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What does SA have that another African country would be interested in? Then , SA is so far away from other parties, and I doubt that US, European would have any business this side of the planet. Zim?, oh , 3/4 of them are already here , Botswana? DRC? Mozabique? do these even have armies, Namibia, Angola, Egypt?
Peacekeeping , and SA is living in harmony and peace...
 
freddster said:
Not enough to know that the SANDF is useless. Had a discussion on the matter like 8 years ago, discussed what is would take to deal with the SANDF even at that time, some suggested 1000 properly trained mercenaries, others went as low as a 100. (Just an analysis of what the SANDF is capable of, not intending to take them on, we'r in IT)

What does SA have that another African country would be interested in? Then , SA is so far away from other parties, and I doubt that US, European would have any business this side of the planet. Zim?, oh , 3/4 of them are already here , Botswana? DRC? Mozabique? do these even have armies, Namibia, Angola, Egypt?
Peacekeeping , and SA is living in harmony and peace...
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The Cape Passage - for one. During the 80's - both the US and Russia had assigned us strike packages. Suez and Panama are sitting ducks and would have been destroyed in the first few hours. That left the Cape. And our political situation was such that neither side could predict where our allegiance would be. So they targeted our ports, coastal cities, military bases, heavy industry and seats of government. 24 hours into WW3 we would have been royally ****ed.

Oil is currently so low that most cargo ships sail around the Cape because its cheaper. And the new class Super Panamax (I think that is their name) cargo ships are still bigger than Panama or Suez. We control one of the most critical passages of global trade. Plus we are still the most developed country in Sub Saharan Africa.
 
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