Mbeki assures on Navy equipment

2008-09-05 20:50

Cape Town - The Navy's new frigates and submarines were obtained honestly, based solely on the decisions of national government and informed only by the defence review, President Thabo Mbeki said on Friday.

Addressing a presidential parade as part of the first Navy presidential fleet review in Simon's Town, Mbeki said: "Please rest assured that whatever mischievous story or rumours any among our people and others abroad may choose to propagate, the modern and sophisticated equipment you now control and operate was obtained honestly, based on decision[s] by our national government and informed only by the defence review and the imperative to build a national defence force that would discharge the responsibility prescribed by our Constitution."

The transformation process has seen the South African Navy make the transition from a poorly equipped force, compromised largely of ageing and obsolete vessels to a first class fleet, which is endowed with cutting-edge technology and staffed by world-class officers and highly trained and competent young men and women, Mbeki said.

"Today we have a South African Navy that has the capacity to accomplish the full range of maritime strategic objectives and missions that are consistent with the domestic and international task which democratic South Africa has set itself."

According to Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota, the event should be seen as a culmination of more than a decade of "extremely hard work" by the Navy to ensure the new vessels were operational and the personnel competent and professional to crew them.

"This is a very colourful, ceremonial event that is conducted with precision navigation and timing and shows off the Navy not only to the head of state, but also to the people of this country," he said.

Friday's review was the first since the Navy's 75th anniversary review in 1997, when a number of international navies participated.

- SAPA