The option of purchasing brand new Russian or Ukrainian aircraft (IL or An) never seemed to be seriously explored. The Ukraine, with Russian partners (on-off-on again) has been developing the Antonov An 70, which is flying, provides better capability, is cheaper than the A400M and they would have loved a partner like the SA aerospace industry. Their overtures were rebuffed. Yet, in a stunningly quick move, the government signed up on the A400M, despite the fact that the signs were already there at that stage that the project was not going as smooth as they wanted us to believe. The question is why, and is sanity now going to prevail?

This happened on Guy Fawkes day. An action by cabinet brought this whole Airbus shady deal to a crashing end. Good. The money goes to the real national and, in fact, continent-wide security threat that is Eskom. Pigs will fly before the A400M, and sadly, likely also before Boeing's commercial 787.. With regards that tax black hole that SAA has unfortunately become, the (Boeing) 777-300ER is un beaucoup meilleur avion que l'A340-600 (The Boeing carries more passengers, has more floor space, more cargo, flies faster, further, has half as many engines - but more power - and uses about 20% less fuel).. Perhaps, when dealing with these multinationals - as government dealing with state enterprises - less favours for them - and less winner-takes-all. Play them against each other and take the best from each - they will give you their best. Stay away from the An-124 - the similarly sized commercial 747 is a better plane - these are very large 100-tonne payload planes. The An-124 is suited to outsized cargo - but is unreliable. Either pick the expensive Boeing C-17 Globemaster III, or go with up-to-date versions of the tried, tested, trustworthy Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules. Most of all. Expert tender process. (Take note of the tender process for the United States Air Force tanker replacement competition - also a considerable mess.)

The debate is still centering on the purchase of US/NATO standard aircraft. Antonov (a leading Ukrainian Russian conglomerate) has already built the first new Antonov 70 - an aircraft comparable and even better in most aspects than the Airbus A400M. This option wasn't even considered and should be considered...especially as the unit cost is 50% less than the Airbus....this is something our "military specialists" should investigate

Accepting we cannot and should not play peacekeeping roles, we must also come to realise that we are not ready to go to war in any event. What now? Cut the Defence budget, and start all over again. Sadly, the reality must also prevails that with the competence that currently prevail in the current SANDF (and I am not including some very competent people) it's is best to start afresh, get rid of the incompetents and realise that we are extremely vulnerable as a nation. There still is huge competency - but outside of the current defence system and in civil society. If we wait any longer, that will also fade away. Perhaps that is what is being achieved ...