THE government could spend more than R800m on four new maritime patrol helicopters in addition to the country’s R30bn arms package, a local newspaper reported. The Cabinet, the paper said, will decide whether Armscor will be given the go ahead to finalise a helicopter purchase with British arms marker GKN Westland or possibly re-issue the tender. If the Westland deal is scrapped another possible option is to go with Kamnan, an American arms supplier, that is offering cheaper second hand helicopters. January Masimela, the secretary of defence confirmed that the government would definitely buy the helicopters, although the decision was not urgent as South Africa was only taking delivery of the warships from the German Frigate Consortium in five years time. The helicopters will only be needed then.