The SA Police Service (SAPS) has spent more than R400m on seven new helicopters to fight crime, but they have stood idle for more than six months because they lack tactical radios, according to sources familiar with the matter.
The Airbus H125 Squirrels, which were supposed to replace 13 older helicopters that had been decommissioned or sold, are unable to communicate with ground forces during police operations, limiting their use in search-and-rescue missions or VIP transport, the sources said.
The procurement blunder is a setback for the SAPS, which is struggling to contain violent crime that is threatening SAs international investment status. It also raises questions about the oversight and procurement processes of the police service.
“It is taxpayers’ money and they are entitled to know when and how it is spent to combat crime,” one former pilot from the police’s air wing said. “There are straightforward procurement processes in aviation and the requirements for radios fitted on police or military helicopters.
“Somewhere someone was either trying to save money thinking that it would be cheaper to fit the radios afterwards or someone neglected to include the specifications for the radios,” the former pilot said.
The procurement of the helicopters — each costs R61m — started in 2017. The first was handed over in December 2020 and would have been deployed in Gauteng, which hadn’t had a serviceable police helicopter for a long time.
Two more are ready to be handed over at Grand Central Airport in Johannesburg.
SAPS spokesperson Athlenda Mathe declined to comment on the radio issue, saying it was sensitive operational information that could benefit criminals. The SAPS was looking to bolster both its human resources and its physical assets, Mathe added.
Aviation regulatory requirements ignored
Aviation sources say helicopters such as the Squirrels are fitted with industry standard radios to communicate with other aircraft and control towers. The radios are separate and can be bought beforehand for fitting during assembly. The radios cost about R2m each but are likely to cost more due to the complexity of fitting and certifying them after the helicopters have been assembled.
Police and military forces would also want to have tactical radios that use an encrypted frequency on board for secure communication during operations. Portnet in Durban, for instance, fitted its helicopters with tactical marine radios before delivery. All were certified and legally installed.
Somewhere someone was either trying to save money thinking that it would be cheaper to fit the radios afterwards or someone neglected to include the specifications for the radios.
“What I suspect is what the SAPS wanted to do is to use its own radios but did not consider the aviation regulatory and helicopter manufacturer’s requirements — either knowingly or because those handling the order did not understand the implications,” one source said.
“Normally you will have an air wing senior pilot writing the specifications for the helicopter and a radio specialist handling the radio specifications in consultation with the manufacturer of the helicopter.”
The helicopters are standard models, and fitting a tactical radio would require the consent of the manufacturer to ensure it doesn’t interfere with the aircraft’s electronics. Furthermore, the SA Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) requires a supplementary type certificate, or permission slip when modifying an aeronautical product from its original design, such as fitting a nonstandard radio system, the source said.
“This process can be protracted,” the source added.
“The only alternative would be for the SAPS to apply for an exemption from the authority and it is doubtful that it would be granted again. In the past, the SAPS managed to operate its own radios under a special dispensation, but it is also no secret that the SACAA has told the SAPS that this dispensation cannot be granted indefinitely.”
According to Business Day sources, it was hoped the new helicopters would be fully functional for international events such as the Netball World Cup, which starts in Cape Town on Friday. The SAPS is responsible for safeguarding the event.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.