Despite a stated requirement for patrol vessels (Project Biro), the South Africa Navy’s already-tiny budget will grow at just 7.6 percent over the next three years, creeping from R2.6 billion in FY2011/12 to R3.2 billion in FY2014/5.
This contrasts with an average budget increase of 11.8 percent in the years FY2008/09 (when the budget was R1.8 billion) to FY2011/12.
National Treasury says the increase of 29.1 percent in expenditure in the Maritime Logistic Support Capability subprogramme in FY2011/12 was due to the implementation of the military salary dispensation and the appointment of personnel with scarce skills such as divers, technicians and engineers. The projected increase of 24.6 percent in expenditure in the Maritime Human Resource and Training Capability subprogramme in FY2012/13 is due to the carry through effect of the military salary dispensation and an increase in advanced training.
“The projected increase of 49.6 percent in expenditure in the Maritime Combat Capability subprogramme in 2014/15 will provide for the replacement of offshore and onshore patrol vessels and the procurement of harbour tugs for the naval base,” the Estimates of National Expenditure (ENE) document (Vote 22, Defence and Military Veterans) says. However, the last several ENE contained similar language, but nothing, except delay, have followed.
Treasury adds the Navy’s task is to defend and protect South Africa and its territory by providing:
– a surface combat capability of 3 frigates, 1 combat support vessel, 2 offshore patrol vessels, and 3 inshore patrol vessels in each annual operational cycle;
– a sub-surface combat capability of 2 submarines in each annual operational cycle;
– a mine warfare capability of 2 vessels in each annual operational cycle to ensure safe access to South African harbours and where mine clearance may be required;
– a maritime reaction squadron capability comprising an operational boat division, and operational diving division and a naval reaction division in each annual operational cycle;
– an ongoing hydrographic survey capability to ensure safe navigation in charting areas and to meet
international obligations.
The document explains the sea service as follows:
• Maritime Direction provides strategic direction within the Maritime Defence programme by formulating and controlling strategies, policies, plans and advice in order to prepare and provide the maritime capabilities required for the defence and protection of South Africa. This subprogramme had a staff complement of 1331 and a total budget of R489.4 million in 2011/12, of which 86.4 percent was used for compensation of employees.
• Maritime Combat Capability provides mission ready and supported maritime combat capabilities in accordance with the approved force design of the department. This subprogramme had a staff complement of 1446 and a total budget of R567.1 million, of which 51.7 percent was used for compensation of employees.
• Maritime Logistic Support Capability sustains the availability of the force structure elements in the naval force design to ensure compliance with ordered operational commitments. This subprogramme had a staff complement of 569 and a total budget of R756 million in 2011/12, of which 57.8 percent was used for goods and services.
• Maritime Human Resources and Training Capability ensures that maritime combat capability requirements are met in terms of qualified personnel for regular and reserve members. This subprogramme had a staff complement of 1529 and a total budget of R245 million, of which 83.6 per cent was used for compensation of employees.
• Base Support Capability provides a general base support capability to ships and submarines, shore units and other identified clients to ensure that the fleet complies with specified operational readiness levels. This subprogramme had a staff complement of 2460 and a total budget of R507.2 million, of which 83 percent was used for compensation of employees.
