BDF learning from the F-5 disaster

Victor Muyakwabo | Friday March 14, 2014 17:40

 

The BDF officials to this day live with the consequences of a purchase they made decades ago.  The Strike Masters gave the BDF numerous problems and they had to be grounded for most of their term in the army after being purchased from Kenya.

Insiders say the biggest mistake was buying a whole fleet from one supplier and dealing with aircraft affected by the same fault.

Representatives from the South Korean manufacturer and government were said to have visited Botswana to present to defence officials. However, insiders say making a decision over the planes will be delayed by the BDF, which has the added pressure of past experience of such acquisitions.

Efforts to get answers from the Minister of Defence, Justice and Security as well as officials from the BDF were not successful by the time of going to press.

However, a source within the military said since the last meeting between the government and officials from South Korea, BDF is still at an initial stage of research and analysis on the proposed jets. 

“Another thing that is still delaying the progress is that even though BDF is in desperate need of fighter jets, they do not want to risk buying from one manufacturer to avoid total grounding of combat aircraft (if there is a fault),” said a source.

The source also revealed that Saab, who just opened their office in Gaborone, have approached the BDF. However, there is no agreement made yet as the meeting was just an introduction by the company agents.