VIDEO: Funding, Denel highlighted during Centurion air force parade
“Those who believe we don’t need a potent national defence force will one day learn that freedom is not [for] free.”
What price are South Africans willing to pay to protect our freedom?
This was the question put to those who attended the air force prestige day parade at the Swartkop Air Force Base on Friday morning.
The question was put forward by air force chief Lieutenant-General Zimpande Msimang in his keynote address.
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Msimang addressed the soldiers who were on parade as part of the annual celebration of the air force’s achievements.
Before the start of his speech, Msimang handed the prestige award, which honours the top-performing air force base in the country, to the winning Ysterplaat base.
“Those who believe we do not need a potent national defence force will one day learn that freedom is not [for] free,” Msimang said.
He labelled it unethical to expect commanders who were under-resourced to train and prepare troops for battle and humanitarian missions.
Msimang referred to the history of the air force in South Africa.
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“The history of military aviation in South Africa dates back 104 years to the formation of the aviation corps,” he said.
The South African Air Force celebrated 99 years of its own formation on Friday.
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When speaking about the collective defences forces of South Africa, Msimang referred to them as the nation’s “insurance policy”.
“We have to take collective responsibility to not allow this policy to lapse,” he said.
One specific area Msimang mentioned was the efficiency of Denel.
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“The challenges that Denel is faced with have posed a threat to the sustainability of [the air force’s] hardworking assets, including the Oryx helicopter and Hercules C130 aircraft,” he said.
“The reduction in operational and acquisition funding for the air force is contributing to the risk of sustaining these assets.
“Nevertheless, I do appreciate Denel’s improved level of commitment to harness its skills to work together with the air force to improve the sustainability of these assets.”
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