Inkwazi Explained

Inkwazi is a Boeing Business Jet (BBJ / Boeing 737) aircraft that serves as the primary mode of air transportation for the President of South Africa. Operated by 21 Squadron South African Air Force, the aircraft has a seating capacity for six ministers and ten additional passengers.[1] It cost R300m to acquire and another R108m to fit and decorate the interior which can accommodate up to 15 passengers.[2] [3] The jet's name means "fish eagle" in Zulu.[4]

Replacement Tender

In November 2015, Armscor issued a tender for the replacement of the Boeing 737 aircraft. The estimated cost of the new aircraft was between R2-billion and R4-billion.[5] Some of the specific set of criteria included a range of 13,800 km, seating for 30 passengers, a conference room for 8, and a private bedroom and bathroom suite.

The potential replacements include:[6]

However, in October 2016, Armscor announced, "none of the bids achieved a full score satisfactorily in the overall evaluation, thus prompting the cancellation of the tender."[7] [8] The company stated it would review the tender process and continue searching for a suitable replacement.

Current arrangement

The current aircraft continues to be used for regional trips. However, when the ageing aircraft has been grounded for repairs, other private aircraft have been chartered.[9] [10] When an intercontinental aircraft with a range of 13,300 km is required, an aircraft has been leased from Fortune Air for almost R2m a month.[11] [12] [13] The aircraft returned to service .[14]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: SAAF Aircraft. South African Air Force. 9 June 2014. 6 December 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20120213001150/http://www.af.mil.za/equip/aircraft.html. 13 February 2012. dead.
  2. Web site: Nhlabathi. Hlengiwe. Gibson. Erika. 8 November 2015. R4 billion VIP jet for Zuma?. 2021-01-29. Citypress. en-US.
  3. Web site: News24. Lizeka Tandwa. New presidential jet will make Nkandla seem like child's play - Maimane. 2021-01-29. News24. en-US.
  4. News: Jacob Zuma 'to buy presidential jet despite South Africa's poverty'. 29 June 2012. 6 December 2015. Aislinn. Laing. The Daily Telegraph.
  5. Web site: Presidency requests info about Zuma's 'new jet' eNCA. 2021-01-29. www.enca.com. en.
  6. Web site: 9 November 2015. This is what Zuma's R4 billion plane could look like. 2021-01-29. en-US.
  7. News: Wakeford. Kevin. 25 October 2016. STRICT TENDER COMPLIANCE KEY TO ARMSCOR'S SUCCESS. ARMSCOR. ARMSCOR. 29 January 2021.
  8. Web site: 25 October 2016. Armscor cancels intercontinental jet tender for South African Air Force. 2021-01-29. www.polity.org.za. en.
  9. Web site: 2016-04-23. Abuse of power: African leaders and their flying machines. 2021-01-29. France 24. en.
  10. Web site: Ramaphosa. Cyril. 4 March 2018. Arrived to a very warm reception in Gaborone. Twitter.
  11. Web site: Serrao. Angelique. 6 March 2018. Ramaphosa uses controversial businessman Zunaid Moti's private jet for official trip. 2021-01-29. News24. en-US.
  12. Web site: 11 September 2016. Zuma's R500m backup Boeing is on its way. 2021-01-29. TimesLIVE. en-ZA.
  13. Web site: 25 July 2016. Zuma ditches presidential plane for a rental that costs R2 million a month. 2021-01-29. Business Tech. en-US.
  14. Web site: Helfrich . Kim . 2018-11-21 . Inkwazi flying again . 2022-11-14 . defenceWeb . en-ZA.

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