Defence splashes on armoured cars
The Namibia Defence Force has bought eight high-tech armoured vehicles, plus four weapon systems, from South Africa's Denel.
The Ministry of Defence is adding new armoured vehicles to its fleet in a deal that could cost taxpayers dearly.
The army will soon take delivery of eight high-specification RG32M military vehicles and four lightweight remote weapon systems bought from South African arms manufacturer Denel.
It is, however, unclear at this stage when the ministry made the purchases. Defence minister Penda Ya Ndakalo refused to answer questions yesterday.
One RG32M military vehicle reportedly costs in the region of N$3.5 million. The estimated cost of the four self-defence remotely operated weapon (SDROW) systems could not be established yesterday.
Approached for comment, Ya Ndakolo said the ministry was not answerable to the media.
“This is not the right platform when we deal with equipment purchased by the force. It is not our culture and therefore we have no comment,” he said.
Finance Minister Calle Schlettwein also declined to comment and referred Namibian Sun to the Ministry of Defence.
He said a budgetary allocation had been made and that there was discretion regarding certain purchases because of security concerns. “You will have to enquire from the Ministry of Defence. Given the risk of security, some purchases do not pass through the Tender Board or the Ministry of Finance,” Schlettwein said.
State of the art
Defence Web yesterday reported on its website that Denel was on track to deliver RG32M armoured patrol vehicles and SDROW lightweight remote weapon systems to Namibia in the next four months.
“The contract is a substantial one and will see eight RG32M vehicles and four SDROW weapon stations exported,” Denel said in a statement.
Johan Steyn, Denel Vehicle Systems chief executive, said delivery would be made by the end of March.
The RG32M can operate in a variety of roles and offers a balance of protection and mobility. The vehicle carries five crew members with kit and special-purpose equipment.
The four side doors and roof-mounted hatches allow easy entry and exit for both normal and emergency use.
In its most recent annual report, Denel had made mention of the delivery to Namibia, saying a contract had been signed “with an African country for the supply of RG32M navy patrol vehicles,” indicating they will be taken into service by Namibia's navy.
The SDROW is a lightweight weapon system fitted with either a 5.56 or 7.62mm light machine gun or the Denel PMP Inkunzi Strike 20x42mm weapon.
Denel did not indicate which weapon system was selected by the NDF.
'Impressive'
South African independent military expert Helmut Heitman was impressed with the purchase.
“It depends what the army will use it for but I can tell you it is a very good vehicle, nice for patrolling. If a crisis breaks out, say in Angola, it would be nice for patrolling along the border.
“That vehicle would be my choice. It is an easy vehicle and maintaining it will not be a big challenge, perhaps because support in South Africa is not far,” he said.
According to Heitman, the RG32M is used by the Finnish and Swedish armies, while the Irish army took delivery of the vehicles recently.
He was surprised that Namibia had purchased the vehicles from a South African manufacturer, a first in the NDF's 27-year history.
According to Denel, the SDROW is designed for easy installation on a variety of vehicles and platforms.
The system can be operated remotely by a single crew member inside the vehicle cabin.
The secretive defence spending has been frowned upon by many in recent years, while the budgetary allocation to the Ministry of Defence has also been criticised.
In the current financial year, defence received about N$7.2 billion.
OGONE TLHAGE
The army will soon take delivery of eight high-specification RG32M military vehicles and four lightweight remote weapon systems bought from South African arms manufacturer Denel.
It is, however, unclear at this stage when the ministry made the purchases. Defence minister Penda Ya Ndakalo refused to answer questions yesterday.
One RG32M military vehicle reportedly costs in the region of N$3.5 million. The estimated cost of the four self-defence remotely operated weapon (SDROW) systems could not be established yesterday.
Approached for comment, Ya Ndakolo said the ministry was not answerable to the media.
“This is not the right platform when we deal with equipment purchased by the force. It is not our culture and therefore we have no comment,” he said.
Finance Minister Calle Schlettwein also declined to comment and referred Namibian Sun to the Ministry of Defence.
He said a budgetary allocation had been made and that there was discretion regarding certain purchases because of security concerns. “You will have to enquire from the Ministry of Defence. Given the risk of security, some purchases do not pass through the Tender Board or the Ministry of Finance,” Schlettwein said.
State of the art
Defence Web yesterday reported on its website that Denel was on track to deliver RG32M armoured patrol vehicles and SDROW lightweight remote weapon systems to Namibia in the next four months.
“The contract is a substantial one and will see eight RG32M vehicles and four SDROW weapon stations exported,” Denel said in a statement.
Johan Steyn, Denel Vehicle Systems chief executive, said delivery would be made by the end of March.
The RG32M can operate in a variety of roles and offers a balance of protection and mobility. The vehicle carries five crew members with kit and special-purpose equipment.
The four side doors and roof-mounted hatches allow easy entry and exit for both normal and emergency use.
In its most recent annual report, Denel had made mention of the delivery to Namibia, saying a contract had been signed “with an African country for the supply of RG32M navy patrol vehicles,” indicating they will be taken into service by Namibia's navy.
The SDROW is a lightweight weapon system fitted with either a 5.56 or 7.62mm light machine gun or the Denel PMP Inkunzi Strike 20x42mm weapon.
Denel did not indicate which weapon system was selected by the NDF.
'Impressive'
South African independent military expert Helmut Heitman was impressed with the purchase.
“It depends what the army will use it for but I can tell you it is a very good vehicle, nice for patrolling. If a crisis breaks out, say in Angola, it would be nice for patrolling along the border.
“That vehicle would be my choice. It is an easy vehicle and maintaining it will not be a big challenge, perhaps because support in South Africa is not far,” he said.
According to Heitman, the RG32M is used by the Finnish and Swedish armies, while the Irish army took delivery of the vehicles recently.
He was surprised that Namibia had purchased the vehicles from a South African manufacturer, a first in the NDF's 27-year history.
According to Denel, the SDROW is designed for easy installation on a variety of vehicles and platforms.
The system can be operated remotely by a single crew member inside the vehicle cabin.
The secretive defence spending has been frowned upon by many in recent years, while the budgetary allocation to the Ministry of Defence has also been criticised.
In the current financial year, defence received about N$7.2 billion.
OGONE TLHAGE
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