Almost immediately after the news broke that Armscor had begun shopping around for a new VIP jet for the president, the backtracking and explanations started flying. "We're not buying anything yet - we're only testing the market. If we do buy a jet, it won't be for R4bn. And anyway, a new aircraft will be a national asset."
Which is "nonsense and poppycock", to borrow a phrase from the Honourable Mangosuthu Buthelezi. A decision has clearly been taken to purchase a new jet, with the Request for Information stating a delivery deadline of 31 March. If it is not for R4bn then Armscor must give us their budget, because their list of must-haves adds up to around that figure. And a fleet of Ferraris, if purchased by the State, would also be a national asset, but that doesn't mean we should have it.
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