Downed C-130s pose dilemma
2005-03-31 23:02
Cape Town - A deficiency in the South African Air Force's air transport capacity could leave the country's peace force in Africa between a rock and a hard place.
Military expert Helmoed-Romer Heitman said on Thursday any sudden worsening of the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo or in Sudan could place South Africa in a position of not having enough serviceable aircraft to render support.
He was reacting to reports that seven of the nine Hercules C-130 freight carriers of the SA Air Force had been grounded for an indeterminate period because of cracks in the wings.
"They will be in a predicament.
"There are already too few aircraft and now there are only two or three that can take to the air.
"They will be able neither to pick up personnel fast enough, nor transport supplies and reinforcements to affected areas."
Would have to charter planes
If there is a delay in the repair of the grounded aircraft the air force would have no choice other than to make use of charter flights.
Heitman said: "This is not at all a healthy state of affairs as the defence force will forfeit security and safety.
"It will be forced to hand its operational plan to an outsider, which will expose it to risks.
"It is also known that many of the older Russian aircraft used by such charter companies are not being kept in the best state of repair.
"It is known that some of these aircraft have already been involved in tragic accidents."
Heitman said that even if dependable aircraft were available, there still would be no guarantee they would be willing to fly to war zones.
Replacement aircraft a long way off
"Those companies who keep their aircraft in good repair and take the safety of their personnel to heart, will not be willing to risk them under such circumstances."
The C-130 aircraft worldwide are affected by the same problem that has grounded the South African freight carriers.
Although there are rumours the air force is contemplating replacing its fleet of C-130s with the new Airbus-400 air-transporter, this is not yet a given fact.
Heitman said that even if the air force did buy the proposed aircraft, the first one would arrive in the country only by 2010 at the earliest.