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The Department of Defense has released its annual report for 2019/2020, and the data shows a grim picture of South Africa’s military capabilities.
The department has warned that the country’s defense force has lost a number of capabilities due to successive budget cuts. “South Africa’s core military capabilities have been in decline for many years,” he said.
“This is due in large part to severe and crippling cuts in its benchmark funding allocation and the resulting erosion of the Department of Defense (DOD) capital and operating budgets.”
The department said this has not only led to inadequate maintenance, repair and overhaul of the largely obsolete equipment inventory, but has also led to a significant reduction in the defense force’s core mission equipment refurbishment program. with “ devastating effects ” on South Africa’s sovereignty. defense industry.
He said that, with the current funding regime, he has had very little room for maneuver and has had to continue whenever possible with the repair of his inventory.
“In most cases, the main equipment you use is over 40 years old and it is largely obsolete, and almost no parts or maintenance support available from the original equipment manufacturers. ”
While the department had developed a ‘South Africa Defense Review’ in 2015 that outlined the changes needed to accelerate South Africa’s defensive capabilities, the department said the current funding allocation ‘dramatically reduces the level of defense ambition that can be pursued in a sustainable way. ‘
“This reduction will inevitably lead to a reduction in operational production, introducing significant risks to South Africa’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the ability to maintain lasting support for the development of South Africa and its people,” he said.
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