While the big aircraft manufacturers the South Korean, Korean Aerospace Industries, and Swedish SAAB and their local handlers eye the multi-billion Pula fighter jet tender, the stimulus package has availed more goodies for the insiders in the military supply industry, writes TSHIRELETSO MOTLOGELWA.
The so-called Economic Stimulus Package promises a windfall for everyone, but even more so, for those in the know. The last half year the Botswana Defence Force has floated tenders relating to the refurbishment of various systems in the air wing. Currently, a few tenders are still due for submission, with some of the deadline slated for next week. The BDF is looking for contractors to provide about 400 hours of periodic inspection of one of their aging F-5 fighter jets. This fleet is the same fleet up for replacement if the Korean or Swedish fighter jet deal is concluded. Canadian-built (Canadair) variant designated CF-116 in Canadian service. Powered by 4,300-lb (1,950-kg) static thrust J85-CAN-15 turbojets, extensible nose legs. CF-5As are single-seat fighters, CF-5Ds are two-seaters.
After updating the electronics, cockpit controls and targeting systems of 36 of their 73 CF-5s, the Canadian air force made a monetary decision to sell the entire fleet. UK manufacturer Bristol Aerospace Ltd. performed the CF-5 upgrade work in 1990. The last two airworthy CF-5s were put in long-term storage in July 2004. Only 16 of the aircraft were sold (to Botswana) out of the entire fleet. In 1996, the BDF Air-wing procured F-5A Freedom Fighters from Canada in a deal reportedly worth $50 million (P356.8 million) to which another five were added a year later. In the same year, the BDF bought two Lockheed C-130Bs from the United States to add to their cargo fleet. Advisors within the BDF say the F-5 series can no longer be maintained at any reasonable cost.
However they are split over whether to bring in a new platform altogether or work on upgrading the existing one. Whichever way it goes, the BDF insiders say, those with connections will mop up anything that the army spits out. Another tender availed by the army is the provision of avionics system upgrade for the equally aging C130B aircraft. There is more work to be done on the same aircraft, the BDF is looking for companies that can provide and upgrade the aircrafts systems. However depending on how far from the inner circle on is, there are some tenders that are perhaps for those without the heavy connections. There is the supply of caps to the entire army for the coming three years.
Serial and serious tenderpreneurs have come to understand that sometimes quantity makes up for the limited ‘quality’ of return. BDF is looking to re-gear its around 10 000 heads this year. Or if you are so inclined, and you have the requisite skillsbase, you could try the building of dog kennels and horse stables for the army’s mammalian friends. The tender, deadline next week, states “Construction Of Semi-Permanent Horse Stables, Dog Kennels And Associated Facilities For Botswana Defence Force At Various Base Camps.”