SuperLynx work adds up

Dragon Commodities of Pinegowrie, Johannesburg, has been awarded a R2.8 million contract for the repair and maintenance of the rams aircraft handlers of the SuperLynx helicopter of the South African Air Force. It takes the value of work placed on industry to at least R286 570 382.72.

The South African Air Force took delivery of four of the rotorcraft in July 2007. Although assigned to 22 Squadron at AFB Ysterplaat, the type was acquired to fly from the SA Navy’s four Meko A200SAN frigates. Defence Systems Daily reported in November 1998 that the aircraft cost UK80 million (then US$132 million, R756 million).

The SA government has never confirmed the amount and in response to a Parliamentary question by Democratic Alliance MP David Maynier in June advised him “to refer this question to the Joint Standing Committee on Defence, whose mandate it is to look into all such matters that are, as the Honourable Member so well knows, CLASSIFIED (capitals on the original).”

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