NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NUMBER 1020

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 25 MARCH 2011

Mr P J Groenewald (FF Plus) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

(a) How many of the four frigates are experiencing:

(i) drive shaft;
(ii) engine or
(iii) rust problems,

(b) what, in each case, is the

(i) extent,
(ii) cause and
(iii) repair cost of the damage and

(c) what, in each case, is the planned date of completion of the repair work;

(2) whether she will make a statement on the matter?

NW1137E

REPLY:

a. Problems experienced

(i) Drive shaft: No frigate experienced a drive shaft problem.

(ii) Engine: Two frigates experienced engine problems.

(iii) No frigate experienced rust problems.

(b) In each case:

(i) Extent of the problem (on the engine)

- The port production diesel became dysfunctional and is to be replaced. Also, the starboard propulsion diesel became inoperational and the defective component is to be replaced.

(b) (ii) Cause of the problem

- The ingress of water through the exhaust system and due to sensor failure. This was caused by normal wear and tear.

(b) (iii) repair cost of the damage:

- The port production would cost R16-m to repair.

 - The starboard propulsion would cost R3185.00.

(c) Planned date of completion of the repair work: The planned date of completion of the work on the port production is March 2013 and the starboard propulsion has been fixed.

2. Not at this stage

Drafted by R Adm B.H. Teuteberg

Issued by Parliament, August 10 2011

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