Speaker, the SANDF is a national asset of South Africa. We created this National Defence Force 14 years ago when we integrated statutory and nonstatutory forces into a single, united and professional defence force. We instituted the President of the country as its Commander in Chief.
As a country and as a nation, we expect the SANDF to defend the sovereignty of the country and to enhance stability by participating in peace support operations on the African continent and to support the people of South Africa.
Currently, in practice, the Department of Defence is used as an important implementation arm of the government's foreign policy. It is a fact that what is expected from the SANDF in terms of fundamental responsibilities allocated by our government and what is being provided in monetary terms to the SANDF, namely 1,2% of GDP, is becoming impossible to execute. Something has to give, whether it is the wellbeing and safety of the soldiers, obsolete or dysfunctional equipment, deteriorating facilities or losing much-needed skills.
It is imperative, Madam Speaker, that urgent consideration should be given to review the SANDF budget allocation. The current allocation of 1,2% of GDP, which compares to the lowest international benchmark of competitive countries, should migrate to 1,4% of GDP as soon as possible and be phased in to reach 1,7% of GDP over the next three years.
In addition, the strategic defence packages should be retained as the baseline in the budget. Only then will we create a proud SANDF capable of executing what government and our country are expecting of them. Thank you.