Pretoria - Government says the request for information (RFI) for a new intercontinental air transport system for very very important persons (VVIPs) is in support of South Africa’s diplomatic programme.
South Africa’s growing interests internationally means that the Air Force’s existing aircraft are not adequate to provide VVIP transport, government said on Tuesday.
“South Africa is perceived as either one of the key role players in the continent or for some, the gateway to Africa. For this perspective South Africa must have an excellent capacity to maintain diplomatic relations with BRICS, the African Union, United Nations and others,” said Deputy Chief of the SA Air Force, Major General Gerald Malinga.
In a joint media briefing with the Department of Defence (DOD) acquisitions agency, Armscor, Malinga said South Africa takes part in important activities such as trade missions, diplomatic interventions between conflicting sides in Africa or participating in urgent international security planning sessions.
“The return on investment in security for Africa and South Africa is substantial,” said Malinga, adding that the requirement of an aircraft is “urgent and important”.
The briefing comes after weekend media reports claimed that Armscor has initiated an acquisition process by issuing a notice of request for information (RFI) about a possible new fleet for VVIPs, which includes the President and his Deputy.
The reports indicated that the estimated new craft could cost as much as R4 billion.
The DOD and Armscor confirmed that they have indeed issued the RFI, which is intended to provide information on aircraft that can carry 18 or 30 passengers respectively.
Among other specifications stipulated on the RFI is that the aircraft must have a range of 13 800km. This means the aircraft must be able to fly to Europe, New York or Beijing without landing to refuel, said the new Armscor CEO, Kevin Wakeford.
Another specification is that it must have a conference room, a private bedroom suite and bathroom on board.
“The published RFI is aimed at obtaining information that will assist Armscor in identifying possible options to satisfy the South African Air Force’s requirement to extend their current intercontinental VIP transport capacity,” said Wakeford.
He attributed the specifications to the fact that “people do not sit in a jet and do nothing, they work. This is not a toy … we need to do diplomacy work.
“In cases where flights carrying representatives of SA interacting with other countries, the ability to arrive fresh at a destination across multiple time zones is important.”
Wakeford said he doesn’t know where the R4 billion mentioned in media reports comes from.
“We only issued a RFI, which only seeks information. The RFI aims to obtain information on the affordability of different options and finance options of the eventually selected option. It’s not a bidding document as the purchase has not been concluded,” he said.
Malinga said the current fleet of VVIP aircraft cannot sustain the current air transport requests.
Over the years, the availability of aircraft has been problematic, especially during scheduled maintenance periods.
Inkwazi, which is the current presidential jet, has a life span of over 30 years.
It has been grounded a number of times because of mechanical problems, forcing the Air Force to hire private planes for President Jacob Zuma and Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa at a high cost.
Asked why they can’t charter flights or buy a second-hand aircraft, Malinga said the chartering option proved unreliable and introduced certain risks for the officials.
“The leasing of a used aircraft as an interim solution is also an option to ensure availability of the aircraft by March 2016, possibly followed by the purchasing of long term solutions,” said Malinga.
Wakeford said they are exploring different options.
“We can buy, lease or get it on credit but we need to keep in mind that the return on investment trade [which VVIPs use the flights for] is enormous, which can create jobs in the country,” he said, adding that most commercial air planes do not fly to every destination, especially in Africa.
“We must make sure our leaders are safe. You can't do most things on a commercial flight.”
Once the information has been received and analysed, the tender process will start with a request for proposals.
Wakeford assured the nation that their intentions and procurement of the aircraft will be a “clinical, rational and responsible process”. – SAnews.gov.za
