#THE ARMS COMPENDIUM UPGRADE#
#THE ARMS COMPENDIUM TRIAL#

The bribes were allegedly offered in cash, in gifts, and in preferential selection of industrial partners. In particular, then-defence minister Joe Modise (who died in 2001) unilaterally decided to remove cost as a consideration for the package of fighter and trainer aircraft, which was ultimately awarded to BAE Systems and Saab for the Gripen fighter aircraft (Saab/BAE) and the Hawk trainer (BAE). BAE’s offerings for the fighter trainer aircraft tender, the Hawk and Saab Gripen, were originally eliminated in March 1997 on cost grounds, but became viable after a controversial revision of requirements later that summer. The alleged corruption associated with the package was meant to give each bidder an advantage in the requirements-setting and tender processes. South African Defence Minister Joe Modise (L) at the 1997 International Defense Exhibition and Conference, Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.

In this environment, corruption was evidently a price worth paying to secure a foothold in the new market, and even some of the losing bidders, such as Daimler Benz Aerospace, were later found to have provided bribes. The European consortia which won the resulting tenders, collectively known as the Strategic Arms Procurement Package, came to South Africa during a period of thin demand, market consolidation, and chronic oversupply. The South African government ultimately ignored that requirement and treated parliamentary approval of the review as sign-off on the arms package. Critically, parliamentary approval of the defense review was not to amount to approval of the recommended force design.

Nonetheless, the review was not an unconditional endorsement of this list it also concluded that the recapitalization should be balanced against the more pressing need to address security threats posed by poverty, crime, unemployment, and the legacy of apartheid.

The defense review prescribed a recapitalization of a blue water navy, new fighter trainer and multi-role combat aircraft, and new helicopters for the air force and navy. This rather conventional goal, was therefore used to justify a conventional acquisitions policy. The review concluded that the primary function of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) would be to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the post-apartheid nation. A South African Saab Gripen in Cape Town, South Africa, Sep. The air force entered the review needing replacements for both a cheap advanced trainer and a new medium fighter.

#THE ARMS COMPENDIUM UPGRADE#

In this process, the navy made it known that it wanted to re-establish South Africa’s role as a regional maritime power through the acquisition of new surface combatants as well as an upgrade to aging French submarines. While some components of the Strategic Arms Procurement Package were first discussed in modernization programs dating back to the last days of apartheid, the requirements approved in 1998 by parliament derived from the results of an all-services defense review launched in 1995. Re-published with permission – For more Zapiro cartoons visit The Arms Deals Tony Yengeni – ANC parliamentarian leader convicted of fraud, stemming from bribe-taking.įana Hlongwane – defense consultant and advisor to former defense minister Joe Modise allegedly received bribes to help facilitate the deal. Shabir Shaik – Zuma’s personal aide convicted of soliciting bribes. Joe Modise – South African Minister of Defense (1994-1999, died 2001).

#THE ARMS COMPENDIUM TRIAL#

On trial for fraud, racketeering, and money-laundering. Jacob Zuma – deputy president of South Africa (1999-2005) at the time the deal was negotiated and president (2009 – 2018) allegedly took bribes to facilitate the deal. Total sum involved in corruption allegations: USD 300 million Dramatis Personae Initial price: South African Rand (ZAR) 29.99 billion (in 1999) or USD (1999) 5 billion 30 Agusta A109 light utility helicopters.Thyssen-Krupp, Blohm+Voss, Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft, Ferrostaal (Germany).Andrew Feinstein, former ANC parliamentarian and whistleblower, explains the South African Arms Deal.

The arms compendium