South Africa’s military population “is ageing” – this is the stern warning contained in the Estimates of National Expenditure released on Wednesday.
In the defence vote, it notes that this problem was acute in the lower ranks “and the reduced military preparedness and levels of fitness lead to a reduced ability to carry out South African National Defence Force core business and increases medical costs”.
A Military Skills Development System had, however, been introduced in 2002.
“It aims to rejuvenate landward defence and address the skills shortages among
young disadvantaged South Africans.”
In 2003/04 an amount of R50-million increasing to R120-million in 2005/06 is provided to start the military skills development system. It also says that it would provide for recruitment into specialised technical fields, especially in the air force and the South African Navy.
“The skills development system is a two-year programme, the first year entails training and the second year operational deployment.”
“At the end of the two years some members may stay in the SANDF, others may join the reserve force and the remainder may enter the labour market.”
The Budget Review notes that additional allocations to the defence vote provided for expenditure of R1,2-billion over the next three years on the acquisition of four maritime helicopters and R200-million a year to contribute to the costs of peace support operations.
After growing strongly since 1999/2000 to accommodate the strategic defence
procurement programme, the department of defence budget increases by an average of 6,1% over the MTEF period rising from R20-billion to R22,5-billion in
2005/06.
The projected cost for the arms deal is R6,4-billion in 2003/04 rising to R6,5-billion in 2004/05 and R7,8-billion in 2005/06. – I-Net Bridge