Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698748324772.pdf (Namibia)
VOTE 08: DEFENCE BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2013/2014 BY HONOURABLE DEFENCE, NAHAS ANGULA, IN THE NATIONAL MINISTER ASSEMBLY OF 10 APRIL 2013 VOTE 08: DEFENCE-INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT BY MINISTER NAHAS ANGULA, IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ON 10APRIL 2013 Honourable Chairperson of the Whole House Committee Honourable Members of this honourable House to this August House, Vote 08: It is my honour and privilege to present I. Defence, for the 2013/2014 FinancialYear.I shall also share with the Honourable Members some issues relating to national security.
However, before I do that, I would like to congratulate and commend Honourable Saara Kuugongelwa- Amadhila, the Minister of Finance, and the Director General of the National Planning Commission and their teams of officials for submitting a national budget that supports national policies to stimulate economic growth for the benefit of all our people, especially our poor citizens.

In the same vein allow me to thank my predecessor at the defence ministry for building a strong foundation for national defence.
2.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD), despite a reduction of its original budget request, welcomes the budget allocation for this FinancialYear and assures the nation that it will use these resources for its intended purposes, as it has been the case in the past.

In my view, the present budget is an attempt at reducing unemployment, 3. poverty, and taking care of the welfare of the Namibian people.
It helps to create through social safety nets, which are essential for peace a peaceful environment and stability in our country.

Honourable Chairperson of the Whole House Committee Honourable Members of this August House The international security situation in general continues to be volatile 4. with long-standing tensions and conflicts remaining unsettled while new ones are being hatched in many parts of the world.
Of course, there are well-known underlying causes of this general insecurity in the world, including the pursuit of world hegemony and the preservation of hyper-power by the powerful.

5.
5.

InAsia and the Middle East, peace remains elusive.The wanton suffering and deaths as a consequence of conflicts persist in Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine, Yemen and Pakistan.The Syrian Arab Republic is suffering a war of unspeakable magnitude while the Islamic Republic of Iran is under unrelenting sanctions and threat of imminent war.The world powers continue to vie for influence in the Asia-Pacific Region.
The unrests that occurred in the Arabian Peninsula and the Arab World 6. over the past three years had far-reaching consequences to the rest of the world.

On our Continent, the coup d'etat that occurred on 21 March 2012 in 7.

Mali,followed by the ongoing French led intervention in that country, related to these phenomena.
The Mali case shows us that we need to continue building the capacity of our Defence Force in terms of training and equipment to a former to avoid a similar situation where an African country had to resort colonial power to rescue it.

is strongly 8.

Elsewhere in Africa, several hotspots remain unsettled; conflict and instability,with varied intensity, persist in Somalia, Libya,the Sudan, South Sudan, Egypt, Nigeria and Central African Republic.
These challenges call for a concerted effort by all political and military 9. leaders in Africa to strive to bring about peace and stability on the Continent.

that the Southern Africa 10.

On the other hand, it is pleasing to report Development Community (SADC) Region remains reasonably peaceful as compared to other African Regional Economic Communities (RECs).
However, in the volatile and the SADC Region is still confronted by the recurrent unrest mineral-rich eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where the M23 rebels seized the key city of Goma last year and still control significant territory there.

SADC is spending much time and effort to try to find a lasting solution I I. to this situation.
Moreover, the impasse in the Republic of Madagascar,which still needs our urgent attention to collectively solve, appears to drag on mainly because of suspected foreign interference.

It is good news that Zimbabwe is making progress towards the 12. normalization of the political situation in that great country with the holding of <1 a constitution referendum on 16 March and the possible holding of presidential elections in July 2013.We wish the people of Zimbabwe every success.

13.
13.

Namibia remains peaceful and stable and it is,therefore, of us to continue steadfastly safeguarding the peace and stability that our people enjoy.The protection of peace and stability in our country must start with the politicians, who, I believe, are the first line of defence.

If Namibian politicians continue to provide visionary leadership in the country, there would be no need to the Defence Force, which is the last line of Defence of the country.

to resort incumbent on a" 14.


Ideally;any good defence architecture comprises of quality political leadership, diplomatic engagement and military intervention as the last option.
I feel that the Namibia's defence posture should be guided by General Sun Tzu's dictum of best to win without a fight In other words, the use of force should be the last option only if political 15. and diplomatic engagements fail.Therefore, attention and resolve the problems affecting our people in order to win a war without fighting.

Let us make use of the existing political and legal architectures to solve our problems to avoid resorting to the use of military force in our country ever again.
let us, as politicians, pay special Honourable Chairperson of the Whole House Committee Honourable Members I6.

As I stated before, the international, continental and regional security situation remains volatile and unpredictable.

Therefore, remain Vigilantand be prepared for any eventualities.

it is still necessary to 17.


Therefore, Namibia needs a lean, but professional and combat tested Defence Force to guarantee peace and stability,without which the Namibian people will not be able to focus on the socio-economic development efforts of our country.

18.
18.

The Namibian Defence Force (NDF) has a constitutional mandate and obligation to defend the people, the territory and national interests of Namibia to the best of its abilities as stipulated in Chapter 15;Article 115 of the Namibian Constitution.
Therefore, the main task of the MoD is to coordinate and administer the operations of the NDF by making sure that it has the best capability through regular training, and fortified with appropriate equipment and infrastructure as well as looking after the promotion of the welfare and wellness of members of the Force.

19.

The mandate of the NDF is further elaborated in the Defence ACT, 2002 (Act No.
I of 2002) and the Defence Policy,which inter alia require it to defend the territory and national interests of Namibia; meet adequately defence needs: namely by guaranteeing territorial integrity, safeguarding against external attacks, conventional or non-conventional, and to prevent violations of Namibia's land, sea and airspace.

20.
20.

Moreover, we have the responsibility to make sure that the NDF has the best capability to assist civil communities and civil powers in case of emergencies and to contribute to peace building and maintenance in the world through the United Nations (UN), the African Union (AU) and SADC missions.

21.
21.

The summary of the Defence Budget execution for the FinancialYear 2011112 is attached as APPENDIX I (page 10) while APPENDIX 2 (page I I) shows the Programmes and Budget Allocation for the FinancialYear 20 I3/14 for your perusal and consideration.

22.

However, before I conclude, allow me now to mention some of the major achievements of the MoD during the last FinancialYear 20 12/2013, to demonstrate that the resources that was allocated to the Ministry was used to attain the intended results.

23.
23.

Despite the fact that the responsibilities of the MoD and NDF are always demanding, especially defending a large territory with a small population and the disparity between personnel qualifications and some job requirements organisation, the MoD recorded important achievements during the Financial Year 201212013.The following are some of such achievements: in the The HIV/AIDSPolicy was approved by Parliament and is now a a. working document.

b.
b.

The review of the NDF HR Policy,which will make provision for better career management of young soldiers and address promotions and soldiers' welfare issues in the NDF,is almost complete, pending review of the pension scheme.

Likewise,the Defence Act is being amended as well to correspond with the HR Policy and to cover issues such as the -------/ compensation of wounded service men and women.

The MoD Strategic Plan (2009-2013) is being implemented and c. guides the operations of the MoD and the NDF.
The NDF acquired additional air assets to improve the capacity of d. the Air Force.

This was demonstrated during the Heroes' Day celebrations at Omuthiya, in the Oshikoto Region.

The Ministry has also acquired additional assets for the Namibian e. Navy,including the LogisticsVessel"the Elephant" and upgraded the Naval Base and the Jetty.

f. The Directorate of -Construction and Maintenance (DCM) has continued to do a good job on the rehabilitation and renovation of infrastructures.
The Ministry will continue to build new infrastructures as needed while at the same time allocating enough money to the maintenance of the existing ones.

I am particularly happy to announce that much progress has been achieved in providing accommodation facilities for our service men and women.

The challenge now is to maintain these facilities in good condition.
The Ministry participated in various bilateral and multilateral g. meetings during 2012; Defence and Security bilateral meetings (the Joint Permanent Commission Sessions), which are aimed at the promotion of peace and security in the SADC Region and beyond, were held with Zambia, South Africa, and Botswana.

Multilateral meetings at regional, continental and UN levels were also attended successfully.
The NDF continued to play an important h. Keeping Missions during the course of the year.We have Military Observers and Staff Officers serving in Liberia, Ivory Coast, Sudan-Darfur and South Sudan.

role in UN and AU Peace i.


In the area of training, the MoD has provided financial assistance to over 284 members studying at various institutions of high learning both within and outside Namibia.The Ministry in cooperation with UNAM is running a Postgraduate Diploma and a Master of Arts Degree in Security and Strategic Studies as well as a Bachelor of Science in Military Science Programme at the same institution.

j.
j.

A Vocational Education and Training (VET) instructors' Programme for NDF military instructors is underway at the Polytechnic of Namibia.

In order to deal effectively with Namibia's defence challenges, which are 24. costly, and requiring appropriate equipment and qualified personnel, the Defence Budget Allocation could still be improved in the future.

25.
25.

This is imperative for the purpose of building up our defence capacity and capability.There are those among us who are sceptical about the benefit of Defence spending.

To them I would like to say that Defence is a common public good, just as bread and butter.

Safety and security is a basic need for all nations.

One cannot anticipate threats but one should be prepared to deal with threats.

Hence, the importance of a Defence infrastructure.


CONCLUSION To conclude, Honourable Chairperson of the Whole House Committee Honourable Members 26.

The 2013/2014, National Budget allocation to Defence continues to demonstrate that Namibia values peace and security as a precondition for stability and socio-economic development.

I reiterate what I told my staff when I welcomed them back from the vacation season that a Defence Force is a special institution.
Its development, organisation, command and control cannot be compared with the general Public Service.

Therefore, Government shall ensure that our Defence Force is healthy, decently accommodated, and reasonably compensated.

Efforts and investment are being made in this regard.

Resources permitting, Government would invest in its Defence Force.This is in recognition that the Defence Force is providing an essential public good, namely, the defence of our patrimony.

27.
27.

We promise to utilise the budget allocation given to the Defence Vote for the intended purposes so that the Namibian Nation can have confidence in their Defence Force and its capabilities to defend this country and its interests at all times.

28.

I now have the honour to request the Honourable Members to support -----_ ••.
0 and approve the allocation of Three Billion,Nine Hundred and Sixty- Three Million,Seven Hundred and Sixty Thousand Namibia Dollars Only (N$3,963,760,OOO)to fund the programmes of the Ministry of Defence during the 2013/2014 FinancialYear.

We are all partners in the defence of the homeland.

I thank you very much!
\ Q .•••• APPENDIX I: BUDGET EXECUTION AND EXPENDITURE BY PROGRAMME FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 20 I 1/12 Expenditure for the FinancialYear (2011/12), the Ministry of Defence I. received funding for its budgeted programmes and was spent as follows: Table I: Expenditure for the Financial Year 20 I 1/2012 Programme Budgeted Allocation (N$) Revised Allocation (N$) Actual Expenditure (N$) Operations 2,581,507 2,751,884 2,767,039 International Deployment Constmction Research and Development 60,810 27,810 27,796 484,046 484,046 480,139 Execution Rate (%) -15,155 14 3,907 Total 3,126,363 3,263,740 3,274,974 -11,234 Explanation for variances 2.
The Ministry originallyreceived an appropriation of N$3, 126,363, which was allocated to the following three (3) programmes and reflected as such in the Ministry's Medium Term Plan (MTP) as follows: Operations: International Deployment: Construction Research and Development: N$2,58 I,507 N$60,810 N$484, 046 3.
An additional allocation of N$ 137,378 for a general salary increment and virementations during the financial year caused changes in the allocation to the abovementioned programmes of the Ministry as follows: 10 Operations: International Deployment: Construction Research and Development: N$2,75 1,885 N$27,810 N$484,046 4.

The Ministry received a revised appropriation of N$3,263,74I and spent N$3,274,974 or 100,34%,thereby recording an over-expenditure of N$II,234 or -0,34%.

5.
5.

Programme Construction, Research and Development had a variance of N$3,907, mainly attributed to a delay in respect of a down payment that was not authorised to go through despite the fact that the contract entered into required a down payment.

6.

Programme Operations had a variance of -N$I 5, I SS due to the general salary increment, which mainly contributed to the increase in spending as a result of the underfunding.
In addition, the Ministry was requested to cover the remaining 2%,which it could also not cover within its budget.

7.

Therefore, in total, the Ministry of Defence spent 100,34% of the total budget allocation in the FinancialYear 20 I 1/12, resulting in an over-expenditure of 0.34% (N$I 1,234) for the reasons stated under Programme Operation.

APPENDIX 2: PROGRAMMES AND BUDGET ALLOCATION FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2013/14 I.
For the financial year 2013/14, the Ministry introduced four new programmes and now has seven Budget Programmes for this MTEFperiod as described on next page.

-------" ~------ Table 2: PROGRAMMES AND BUDGET ALLOCATION FORTHE FINANCIAL YEAR 2013/14 Program code Programme Name Activity Name Budget allocation 01.

02.

03.

04.

05.

06.

07.
Training and Development Training of Military & Civilian Officers 2013/14 264,595,000 Land Operation Support SUB-TOTAL 264,595,000 Protection of Territorial Integrity and National Key points Protection of the Capital City and Provision of Ceremonial duties 2,264,526,550 251,305,900 SUB-TOTAL 2,515,832,450 Airspace Protection Protection ofNamibian Airspace 272,121,900 SUB-TOTAL 272,121,900 Military Health Support Provision of Health Services 116,405,900 SUB-TOTAL 116,405,900 Offshore Defence Protection of Maritime domain and Coastline of Namibia 266,258,850 SUB-TOTAL 266,258,850 International Deployment Promotion and strengthening Military Diplomatic Relations 76,639,000 SUB-TOTAL 76,639,000 Supervision and Support Services Political Control over the Military Procurement and Support Services 10,651,432 441,254,568 SUB-TOTAL 451,906,000 TOTAL VOTE 3,963,760,000 ..-------------,~..------------- EXPLANATION OF THE PROGRAMMES FOR 2013/2014 FINANCIAL YEAR I.
TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME 2.

The aim of this Programme is to equip all service men and women in uniform and civilianemployees with professional skills and knowledge to improve productivity and to produce doctors, engineers, accountants, pilots and technicians, for self-sustainability of the Defence system.
Furthermore, to recruit new blood (young soldiers) and maintain on- going training of soldiers to be ready for combat and Peacekeeping Operations and prepared for emergencies and disasters at all times.

i.

Main Activities » To feed, dress, equip and supply technical and other services to the members » Civilian and military training for Officers, Cadets and Recruits » Day to Day Maintenance of bases and Equipment ii.

Expected outputs » A well trained force.


» Combat ready Force » High level of staff competency.

» Injection of new blood to fill vacancies trough recruitment.

3.

The amount requested for allocation to the Training and Development Programme for the 2013/2014 FinancialYear is Two Hundred Sixty Four Million· Five Hundred Namibia Dollars (N$ 264,595,000), and I request the support of this August House on this allocation.

and Ninety Five Thousand -----"...._----- 2.

LAND OPERATION SUPPORT PROGRAMME 4.


In accordance with the Namibian Constitution and the Defence Act, 2002 (Act No.

I of 2002), the Army is responsible for guaranteeing sovereignty and territorial integrity.It also assists other Ministriesand civilcommunities as required.
i. MainActivities Integrity and National Key points * Protection ofTerritorial * Protection of the Capital City and Provision of Ceremonial duties * Assisting civil authorities and provide support to relief operations * Combating of environmental * Carry out research and development on new technology and threats modernisation * Procurement of property, plant and equipment * Acquiring of ammunition, Simulators, Surveillance equipment and pyrotechnic * Construction of new bases and rehabilitation of old ones * Day to day maintenance of bases and equipment ii.
Expected output for each activity * Advanced capabilities to meet with robust force any potential aggression and threats.

Improve peace and stability in the region and beyond.

* * Maintain a healthy and combat-ready force.

* Number of new bases constructed.

* Number of old bases rehabilitated.

* * Adequate storage facilities * Improved quality of material & supplies.

* Modernised and modified defence equipment Improved livingconditions of soldiers.
-------" ~------ * Optimal and adequate infrastructure.

* Maintained required level of equipment and ammunition stockpiles.

5.

The Ministry requires an amount of Two Billion-Five Hundred and Fifteen Million - Eight Hundred and Thirty- Two Thousand and Four Hundred and Fifty Namibia Dollars (N$2JSI SJ832J4S0) for this Programme for the 2013/2014 FinancialYear.

3.

AIRSPACE PROTECTION PROGRAMME 6.


The Air force is responsible for safeguarding the Namibian airspace, providing air support and close air support (CAS) to the NDF and assists other Government Departments and civil authorities with air support operations.

i.
i.

Main Activities * Protection of Namibian airspace * Ensure airspace security and protect national key points * Acquiring Simulators and Airspace Surveillance equipment * Day-to-Day maintenance of Aircraft and MilitaryAirports * Training of Pilots and Technicians ii.

Expected outputs * Advanced capabilities to meet with robust force any potential aggression and threats.
* Injection of new blood through recruitment * Healthy and combat-ready Air Force members * Improved livingconditions of soldiers * Well equipped with modern equipment * Protected Namibian Airspace ',11••••••••••••••••••••••••• 7.
The amount requested for allocation to the Airspace Protection Programme for the 2013/2014 FinancialYear is Two Hundred and Seventy-Two Million- One Hundred and Twenty-One Thousand and Nine Hundred Namibia Dollars (N$272, I21,900) and I the support of this August House for this allocation.

request 4.

MILITARYHEALTH SUPPORT PROGRAMME 8.


This programme is responsible for administering the Military Health component of the Ministry of Defence, ensuring that Military Personnel receive comprehensive, efficient and quality medical and health services.
i. MainActivities * Provision of preventive and curative Health Services * Provision of counselling and medical testing * Participating in national immunization campaigns * Train qualified Military Health workers * HIV/AIDSawareness campaigns,antiretroviral treatment, support and home based care for soldiers ii.
Expected Outputs * Qualified Military Health workers * Injection of new blood through recruitment * Healthy and combat-ready Defence Force * Well equipped with modern medical equipment * Guaranteed welfare of personnel * Ensuring a healthy nation by rendering assistance to MOHSS 9.

The amount requested for the allocation to the Military Health Support Programme is One Hundred and Sixteen Million-Four Hundred and Five Thousand and Nine Hundred Namibia Dollars (N$116,40S,900).

____ w"': 5.
____ w"': 5.

OFFSHORE DEFENCE PROGRAMME 10.

The Namibian Navy has the principal responsibility for defending Namibia's maritime domain and coastline against possible attacks.

It trains and operates routinely as part of an offshore protection Force to develop its defensive capacity.
i, Main Activities * Protection of Maritime domain and Coastline of Namibia * Ensure maritime security and protect national key points * Safeguarding of territorial waters * Day-to-Day maintenance of vessels and equipment * Training of Marines and Naval Officers ii.

Expected Outputs * A we" trained Force.

* Advanced capabilities to meet with robust force any potential aggression and threats.
Injection of new blood through recruitment * * Healthy and combat-ready Naval Force * We" equipped with modern maritime equipment * Guaranteed welfare of personnel * Protected Maritime domain and Coastline I I.

The Ministry requires an amount of Two Hundred and Sixty-Six Million-Two Hundred and Fifty-EightThousand and Eight Hundred and Fifty Namibia Dollars (N$266,258,850) for the Offshore Defence Programme for 2013/2014 FinancialYear.

17 6. INTERNATIONAL DEPLOYMENT PROGRAMME 12.


The aim of this programme is to maintain Defence Diplomacy in countries where Namibia has significant defence co-operation and interests.

i. MainActivities * Promote Regional and International defence diplomatic relations.

* Deploy Defence Advisors/Military Advisors for Military diplomacy.
* Deployment of Contingent Military Observers and Staff Officers to UN/ AU and SADC Peace Support Operations * Carry out defence activities such as international personnel exchanges, ship and aircraft visits, high-level engagement (e.g.

Ministers and senior defence personnel), bilateral meetings and staff discussions, joint training and exercises and regional defence forums.

ii.

Expected Outputs • Enhanced defence diplomatic relations.
• • Improved regional and international peace and security relations Enhanced outreach, confidence and security building measures, and non- proliferation activities.

13.

7.

14.

The requested allocation to the International Deployment Programme is Seventy-Six Million-Six Hundred and Thirty-Nine Thousand Namibia Dollars (N$76.639.000).
SUPERVISION AND SUPPORT SERVICES PROGRAMME The Minister, who is responsible for advising Cabinet on all matters of De fence interest, is entrusted with the supervision and support services of the Ministry of Defence and ensures that the Government decisions on defence matters are promulgated and implemented.

1 Q 15.

The Permanent Secretary under the supervision of the Minister is account able for the general financial administration of the Ministry and state mon ies under his control.

16.
16.

The Chief of Defence Force is responsible for efficient administration, discipline, command and control of the Namibian Defence Force.

i.

Main Activities * Political Control over the Military * Procurement and Support Services * Formulation and reviewing of defence policies for endorsement by the National Assembly.

* Budget Control- * Look after the welfare of all service men and women in uniform and civilian employees.

ii.
ii.

Expected Outputs * Political Control over the Military * High level of staff competency * Efficient Budget Control * * Effective Policy implementation * Guaranteed welfare of personnel Injection of new blood trough recruitment 17.

The required allocation to the Supervision and Support Services Pro gramme is Four Hundred and Fifty-One Million-Nine Hundred and Six Thousand Namibia Dollars (N$45 I ,906,000).

"In defence of peace and stability of the homeland" la