Navy to cut Armscor ties

CRISIS: CHRONIC DOCKYARD FAILURES LEAVE SA'S FLEET VULNERABLE

- Sipho Mabena

Christmas illuminations and decorations in the square in front of the Casino de Monte-Carlo and the Hotel de Paris in Monaco on Wednesday.

(AFP)

The South African Navy has signalled its intention not to renew its contract with the state arms manufacturer Armscor due to chronic underperformance at the Armscor Dockyard - the navy’s primary facility for refits, repairs and deep-level maintenance.

According to the navy, Armscor Dockyard remains “below required standards” in virtually every key performance area, warning that persistent failures were now directly impacting on national maritime readiness.

Of the dockyard’s 373 staff, 46 posts remain vacant, while the facility is operating with a shortfall of more than 65 000 manhours compared to what is required to meet the navy’s upkeep plan.

To close the gap, according to the report, Armscor estimates it needs 345 additional personnel, a figure seen as unattainable under current budget allocations.