Category: Sunday Standard

Public accountability does not end when a public officer leaves office. Whether through retirement, resignation, transfer, or the conclusion of a term, departure from public service does not erase the responsibility to explain decisions made while exercising public authority. Botswana’s constitutional and statutory framework recognises this principle through mechanisms designed to ensure that Parliament can properly perform its oversight role.

The legal foundation for this power lies primarily in the National Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Act, rather than in the Standing Orders of Parliament. Standing Orders regulate the internal procedures of the National Assembly and do not, by themselves, create obligations for persons outside it. The Act, by contrast, gives Parliament legally enforceable powers, including the ability to require attendance, compel evidence, and address non-compliance.

Section 9 of the Act permits an order requiring a person to attend before the Assembly or a committee, and its wording is directed at ‘any person’, without limitation to serving public officers. This includes former office-holders where their evidence is relevant to an inquiry. Section 10 requires such an order to be formalised through a summons served on the person concerned, ensuring clear notice of the obligation to attend. If the person fails to comply, section 11 empowers the Speaker to direct the issue of a warrant of apprehension, executable by the Botswana Police Service to secure attendance.

These provisions are not punitive in purpose; they exist to protect Parliament’s constitutional responsibility to oversee public administration and the use of public resources. Section 12 allows witnesses to be examined under oath, while section 19 creates offences relating to failure to attend, refusal to answer lawful questions, and the giving of false evidence.

The Act also recognises reasonable limits. Section 13 permits a witness to object to a question concerning private matters unrelated to the inquiry, though the Speaker, not the witness, determines whether the objection is valid, preventing the protection from becoming an automatic refusal mechanism. Section 14 similarly protects sensitive government or security-related information, but through constitutional and executive process rather than by the witness simply declining to answer. Section 14(4) further limits the use of answers given before Parliament in unrelated civil or criminal proceedings, except in cases of perjury or obstruction arising from that evidence.

The question of former officials becomes especially relevant to parliamentary oversight of public finances. The Public Accounts Committee examines accounts and reports certified by the Auditor-General under the Public Finance Management Act, and such examinations typically occur after the relevant financial period has ended, by which time the responsible official may no longer hold the position. Were accountability to end the moment an official left office, oversight would be significantly weakened, since officials could avoid scrutiny simply by departing before inquiries commence.

The Constitution supports this approach. Section 41 protects a sitting President from certain legal proceedings during the period of office, but that protection is tied to the office and the period of incumbency. Once the office is vacated, the constitutional position changes; a former office-holder retains no general exemption from lawful process merely by virtue of having previously held high public office.

This approach is consistent with parliamentary practice in jurisdictions sharing Botswana’s Westminster legal heritage, where the authority of legislatures to call for persons, papers, and records has long been understood to extend beyond current office-holders, where the information sought concerns matters of public importance and decisions taken during a person’s tenure.

The broader principle is therefore straightforward: public office is a position of responsibility, not a shield from accountability after departure. Parliament’s ability to call former officials before it depends not on whether they remain in office, but on whether their evidence is relevant to its oversight function. A separate constitutional question remains as to how far comparable powers may apply to certain serving constitutional office-holders, including the President, and that issue requires its own analysis. The narrower position, however, is settled: under Botswana’s existing statutory framework, Parliament has both the authority and the mechanisms to require former public officials to account for decisions taken while entrusted with public responsibility.

Botswana’s economy has emerged from two years of recession, but economists warn the recovery will remain fragile unless government accelerates long-delayed reforms, reduces borrowing and tackles the country’s heavy dependence on diamonds.

The latest Econsult Botswana Review says the economy is sending ‘mixed signals’, with GDP returning to positive territory while inflation, weak diamond exports and high borrowing costs continue to weigh on businesses and households. ‘The Botswana economy continues to send mixed signals,’ economist Keith Jefferis writes in the quarterly review.

The economy grew by just 0.2 percent in the first quarter of 2026, ending successive contractions recorded in 2024 and 2025. However, mining output still declined 9.6 percent, despite stronger performances from copper and soda ash producers. The report argues Botswana’s biggest challenge is no longer simply recovering from the diamond slump, but transforming an economy still heavily dependent on a commodity facing growing competition from synthetic stones and weak global prices.

Although diamond production rose 4.7 percent during the first quarter, exports between January and May fell 29 percent, forcing producers to stockpile unsold stones. Overall exports dropped 17 percent in the first five months of the year, widening Botswana’s trade deficit to P12.8 billion. One encouraging sign, however, was a 16 percent increase in non-diamond exports, driven by stronger copper and manufactured exports, suggesting diversification efforts are beginning to gain traction.

Households have meanwhile been squeezed by rising prices. Annual inflation climbed from 4.2 percent in March to 10.7 percent in June, largely because of higher global oil prices linked to conflict in the Middle East. Econsult expects the spike to ease following July fuel price cuts. ‘We expect Botswana inflation to fall from current levels in the coming months,’ the report says, forecasting inflation of around 8 percent by year-end.

Businesses face another hurdle: expensive credit. Despite ample liquidity in the banking sector, lending has slowed sharply as high interest rates and government borrowing crowd private firms out of the credit market.

‘Government borrowing to finance large budget deficits is crowding out the private sector from the credit market,’ the report says, noting lending to businesses and households has turned negative for the first time in three decades.

Government finances have improved, helped by a P7.3 billion dividend from the Bank of Botswana, although public debt still rose from 29 percent to 34 percent of GDP last year. Econsult expects the economy to grow between 2.5 percent and 4.5 percent this year as Debswana increases production. But Jefferis says lasting growth depends on faster implementation of the Botswana Economic Transformation Plan (BETP).

‘The BETP is an admirable programme,’ the report concludes, ‘but would benefit from better reporting on its progress.’ It adds that reforms, including privatisation and improving governance of state-owned enterprises, ‘need to be accelerated.’

Neo-colonial donations are embedded in systems where donor nations outwardly present ‘aid’ while subtly extracting greater value through the terms of those gifts. Contemporary international relations often echo colonial-era dynamics, with recipient nations expected to acquiesce to the interests of donors. For donor nations, understanding the socio-economic status of the recipient nation is as vital to maintaining these colonial-era power dynamics, as selecting the instruments through which influence is exerted.

One pervasive tactic is disguising sales or leases as donations. Botswana, among other nations, has experienced such arrangements where political leaders are constrained by inequitable power dynamics. A recent example is the 2024 transaction involving the United States and Botswana-a case that underscores the problematic nature of quasi-donations and their implications for transparency, accountability, and national sovereignty.

Case Study: The Botswana C-130 Aircraft Acquisitions

Background

In 2024, the Government of Botswana entered into what was publicly described as a donation from the US Government: the provision of a C-130 military cargo aircraft. Despite appearances, the transaction functioned economically as a sale or lease, not a true donation. The arrangement required Botswana to pay an estimated US$20 million (P280 million), a significant portion of the pronounced US$30 million aircraft value, with another estimated US$10 million (P140 million) anticipated for heavy maintenance by 2027. The total expected expenditure by 2027 is over US$30 million (P420 million) for an aircraft purportedly acquired ‘at no cost to Botswana’.

Misdirection of the Public Discourse

According to Bame Piet of The Voice Publication, former President Masisi characterized the deal as an act of goodwill, stating, ‘Recently, the US Government offered us excess defence articles in the form of a C-130H aircraft, at no cost to Botswana… instead of selling to us used equipment like others, they opted to partner with us in preservation of global peace.’ This rhetoric however, obscured the true financial obligations incurred by the Botswana government, while echoing the falsehood that this was a donation.

Regulatory Evasion

A press release by the US Embassy in Gaborone titled ‘United States Grants $30-million C-130H ‘Hercules’ Cargo Aircraft to Botswana’ pronounced that, ‘The United States delivered a C-130H ‘Hercules’ cargo aircraft to Botswana on May 24, representing a $30 million (400 million Pula) contribution from the United States to enhance the Government of Botswana and the Botswana Defence Force (BDF)’s capability …’, never explicitly stating the actual purchase price. The US Government’s approach leverages Botswana’s predilection towards intergovernmental donations over commercial procurement. This tactic intentionally circumvents Botswana Public Procurement Regulations, while exploiting the inequitable power dynamics of the relationship, to the detriment of accountability and transparency.Ultimately, the processes for the subsequent public procurrent of products and services ancillary to this quasi donation, such as maintenance costs, purchase of spare parts, and procurement of ferry services, were sidelined for expediency.

Ongoing Patterns: The Offer of Additional Aircraft

The pattern has persisted as the US Government, following the 2024 deal, offered Botswana two more C-130 military aircraft under similar terms. Again, official channels refer to the aircraft as ‘valued at’ US$12 million (P170 million) each, avoiding mention of the actual costs to be borne by Botswana. Each aircraft is expected to require a payment of US$12 million (P170 million), plus additional maintenance expenses estimated at US$10 million (P140 million) per aircraft. This brings the estimated total to roughly US$22 million (P304 million) per aircraft, or US$44 million (P608 million) for both. This is before any required upgrades to the aged aircraft. The aircraft offered for donation are either decommissioned or about-to-be decommissioned US Government assets, often located in a decommissioned aircraft scrapyard referred to as the boneyard.

Ownership and National Interest

A hidden stipulation of these quasi donations is that the US retains ownership even after all payments, denying Botswana the right to freely sell or transfer the aircraft in the future. This indefinite leasing structure means that despite significant outlays, Botswana never achieves full ownership. Ironically, at a time when the US has withdrawn a wide range of humanitarian aid programs programs-such as PEPFAR- it is with the other hand offering to ‘donate’ its decommissioned military assets, calling into question donor priorities and the net impact on the recipient nation,

Broader Implications: Public Procurement and Dependency

These quasi donations are a sham, and constitute a fraudulent misrepresentation of the true nature of the transactions, and are unashamedly facilitated by the relevant authorities. Furthermore, the transactions constitute a drain on national resources, with Botswana effectively resuscitating decommissioned foreign assets for which it will never assume ownership. The lack of transparency and accountability evident in these quasi donations also undermines public procurement processes and confidence in public procurement, and betrays the trust vested in public administration.

Conclusion

These cases demonstrate how donations, when structured opaquely, can mask the true costs and perpetuate dependencies, eroding public accountability in recipient nations. The procurrent of products and services ancillary to all donations, such as maintenance costs, purchase of spare parts, and procurement of ferry services, should at all times comply with public procurement regulations. The Botswana example illustrates the urgent need for greater transparency and rigorous oversight in international aid, ensuring that national resources serve genuine public interests rather than facilitating disguised extractions under the guise of benevolence.

Access Bank Botswana posted lower earnings for the year ended December 2025 after higher loan impairments and funding costs offset strong growth in digital banking income and an expanding loan book.

The lender’s profit before tax declined 23 percent to P103.6 million from P134.6 million a year earlier, while after-tax profit fell 20 percent to P79.9 million. The weaker performance came despite a six percent rise in interest income and strong growth in non-interest revenue, underscoring the difficult operating environment facing Botswana’s banking sector.

Net interest income dropped 11 percent to P368.8 million as elevated funding costs squeezed margins in a market characterised by tight liquidity. At the same time, impairment charges more than doubled to P80.2 million, reflecting increasing stress on borrowers amid sluggish economic conditions.

The bank, however, continued to diversify its income streams. Non-interest income climbed 26 percent to P373.8 million, supported by increased digital banking activity, while trading income surged 117 percent on the back of higher transaction volumes. Fee and commission income also rose 12 percent.

Access Bank expanded lending during the year, with gross loans increasing to P6.75 billion from P5.95 billion, while customer deposits grew three percent to P7.48 billion. Total assets rose seven percent to P10.8 billion, signalling continued balance sheet growth despite the challenging environment.

Although its capital adequacy ratio declined to 18.3 percent from 21.7 percent, it remained comfortably above the regulatory minimum of 12.5 percent, leaving the bank well-capitalised for future expansion.

Management said it remains optimistic about Botswana’s medium-term prospects and plans to deepen digital banking through platforms such as Primus+, while continuing to support small businesses and improve operational efficiency. The bank expects digital innovation and disciplined funding management to underpin future growth.

Botswana’s annual inflation rate held steady at 10.7 percent in June, remaining at its highest level in more than two years as transport costs continued to drive consumer prices, official data showed on Wednesday.

The unchanged reading follows a sharp jump in April and keeps inflation well above the Bank of Botswana’s medium-term objective range of 3 percent to 6 percent, posing a challenge for policymakers seeking to contain price pressures while supporting an economy recovering from two years of contraction.

Statistics Botswana said the consumer price index (CPI) rose 0.2 percent from May, with transport accounting for 7.3 percentage points of the headline inflation rate. Miscellaneous goods and services contributed 1.2 percentage points, while food and non-alcoholic beverages added 0.9 percentage points. Housing, water, electricity and other fuels made a marginal negative contribution to overall inflation.

Imported goods continued to be the main source of inflationary pressure. Annual inflation for imported tradeables eased slightly to 17.9 percent from 18.1 percent in May, while domestic tradeables accelerated to 7.9 percent from 7.6 percent. Inflation for non-tradeable goods, which reflects domestic price pressures, was unchanged at 3.9 percent.

Among individual categories, clothing and footwear prices increased 0.6 percent during the month, while restaurants and hotels rose 0.5 percent. Health services, alcoholic beverages and tobacco, and miscellaneous goods and services each recorded monthly increases of 0.4 percent.

Core inflation indicators were mixed. Trimmed mean inflation eased marginally to 9.0 percent from 9.1 percent in May, while inflation excluding administered prices held at 5.9 percent.

Regionally, annual inflation remained highest in rural villages at 12.1 percent, compared with 10.4 percent in urban villages and 10.2 percent in cities and towns.

Lucara Diamond has recovered a 1,305.4-carat diamond from its Karowe Mine, reinforcing Botswana’s reputation as home to some of the world’s largest gem-quality stones at a time when the global diamond industry continues to battle weak demand and price pressure.

The latest discovery is the tenth diamond weighing more than 1,000 carats recovered from Karowe since production began in 2012, a record that further distinguishes the mine from other diamond operations worldwide. The white, unbroken stone was recovered using the mine’s X-ray Transmission (XRT) technology, which is designed to detect and preserve large diamonds that might otherwise be damaged during processing.

Lucara said it could not determine whether the stone came from current open-pit mining or from previously mined ore held in stockpiles because both materials were being processed simultaneously.

The discovery adds to Karowe’s list of headline-making recoveries, including the 2,488-carat Motswedi, the largest diamond unearthed in more than a century, as well as the 1,109-carat Lesedi La Rona, the 1,094-carat Seriti and the 1,080-carat Eva Star.

For Botswana, the latest find comes as the diamond sector works through one of its most challenging periods in years, with subdued consumer demand and growing competition from laboratory-grown diamonds weighing on revenues across the industry.

Lucara President and Chief Executive Officer William Lamb said the recovery highlights the unique nature of the Karowe orebody and strengthens confidence in the mine’s long-term value as the company advances its underground expansion project. The underground mine is expected to replace stockpile processing from 2027, with full-scale production targeted for the first half of 2028.

Botswana Football Association (BFA) concluded its FIFA Forward Workshop last week. The workshop brought together a FIFA delegation, BFA National Executive Committee members, Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) representatives, as well as the BFA Secretariat and key football stakeholders.

It focused on strengthening the planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of FIFA Forward projects while reinforcing the principles of good governance, transparency and accountability.

Officially opening the workshop, BFA and COSAFA President, Mr. Oabile Tariq Babitseng, said strengthening football administration was essential to the long-term growth of the game in Botswana.

He said football development was not only about what happens on the pitch but also about building strong institutions capable of managing resources responsibly and delivering meaningful programmes.

‘This workshop was an important opportunity for us to strengthen the way we manage football development in Botswana. FIFA Forward is more than a funding programme. It is a partnership that helps member associations build strong institutions and create opportunities for players, coaches, referees and administrators.’

‘Our responsibility is to ensure that every project is properly planned, implemented and monitored so that it delivers lasting benefits to the football community. Good governance, accountability and transparency must remain at the centre of everything we do,’ said Babitseng.

The FIFA Forward Programme is one of FIFA’s flagship football development initiatives, providing financial support to member associations to improve infrastructure, strengthen administration, expand technical programmes and grow football at all levels.

During the workshop, participants took part in sessions covering project planning, implementation, monitoring, reporting and financial accountability. The programme also created an opportunity for delegates to exchange experiences, discuss challenges and learn practical approaches to improving project delivery.

FIFA experts guided participants through international best practices, helping local football administrators better understand the standards required when implementing FIFA-funded projects. The sessions also highlighted the importance of effective planning and regular monitoring to ensure projects are completed on time and within approved guidelines.

For the BFA, the workshop formed part of its wider efforts to strengthen institutional capacity and improve governance across the organisation. The association believes strong administration is essential for sustainable football development and for ensuring that investments benefit the entire football community.

The workshop comes at a time when football development continues to receive increased attention in Botswana. Projects involving infrastructure development, youth football, women’s football, coaching education and referee development all depend on effective planning, sound financial management and proper oversight.

By investing in the capacity of football administrators, the BFA aims to improve the delivery of development programmes while ensuring that FIFA Forward funding continues to achieve its intended objectives.

Participants left the workshop with a better understanding of FIFA Forward requirements and the responsibilities involved in managing development projects. They also gained practical knowledge on governance, accountability and reporting that will support future football initiatives across the country.

The successful conclusion of the workshop reflects the shared commitment of FIFA, COSAFA and the Botswana Football Association to building stronger football institutions and creating a sustainable foundation for the continued growth of the game in Botswana.

President Duma Boko has blamed the ongoing outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) for continued payment delays at the Botswana Meat Commission (BMC), saying the disease has disrupted government’s pledge to pay cattle farmers within seven days of delivering livestock.

The commitment was introduced as part of reforms to restore confidence in the financially troubled state-owned abattoir. However, many farmers have continued waiting weeks, and in some cases months, for payment, placing pressure on cash flow and farm operations.

Addressing the issue, Boko acknowledged farmers’ frustrations but said the FMD outbreak in southern Botswana had significantly affected BMC’s operations. ‘We committed ourselves to ensuring that farmers are paid within seven days after selling their cattle to BMC. Unfortunately, the ongoing foot-and-mouth disease in the southern part of the country has frustrated those efforts,’ he said.

Despite the setbacks, Boko insisted the commission had made progress over the past year by removing longstanding operational bottlenecks that had delayed payments.

‘Even though there are challenges, BMC is on the right track,’ he said, adding that government remained committed to restoring the seven-day payment turnaround once the disease was brought under control.

The FMD outbreak has also disrupted BMC’s processing operations. In May, the commission’s Lobatse abattoir was closed following an outbreak in Zone 11, with authorities indicating the shutdown could last between three and six months, affecting processing capacity and economic activity in the town.

The latest explanation follows renewed complaints from Ngamiland, where farmers recently reported waiting up to two months for payment despite reforms that included the seven-day settlement target and a live-weight procurement model.

The Ngamiland Joint Farmers Association has threatened to petition government, warning that delayed payments are making it difficult for farmers to service loans, cover operating costs and reinvest in production, raising fresh questions about BMC’s operational efficiency.

The Botswana government is preparing a multi-million pula investment to revive the country’s ostrich industry as it seeks to tap growing global demand for ostrich products and reduce the economy’s dependence on diamonds.

Minister of Lands and Agriculture Dr Edwin Dikoloti said government had identified promising export opportunities but would first focus on rebuilding domestic production to ensure Botswana could supply overseas markets consistently.

‘There is growing demand for ostrich meat and products in the international market,’ Dikoloti said. ‘Once we are satisfied that local production can meet the required volumes, we will intensify discussions with these potential markets.’

The renewed focus comes as Botswana accelerates efforts to diversify exports following a prolonged downturn in the diamond industry, which has weighed heavily on economic growth and government revenues.

Although Botswana has an estimated 60,000 wild ostriches, its commercial farming industry has virtually collapsed. The number of farmed birds has fallen to fewer than 400 after ostrich ranches and processing facilities closed, leaving many farmers burdened with debt.

Dikoloti said government was reviving the long-defunct Dibete ostrich multiplication ranch as part of efforts to rebuild breeding stock. Last year the facility hatched 269 chicks, which were distributed to 29 farmers. The Ostrich Association is now targeting 6,000 hatchlings before year-end.

Government is also encouraging local production of feed ingredients such as sunflower to reduce reliance on costly imports and lower production costs. In addition, the Department of Wildlife is assisting with the capture of ostriches from game reserves to strengthen breeding programmes.

A new agricultural financing strategy is also being developed to improve access to capital for small and medium-scale farmers as government seeks to restore investor confidence and position Botswana to benefit from expanding international demand for ostrich meat, leather and other high-value products.

1. The Botswana Defence Force has noted with grave concern misleading report published by Sunday Standard/The Telegraph under the headline ‘Gift or Golden Handcuffs’, and subsequently reproduced on various online platforms, including Dikgang Newspaper. These reports attempt to portray the recent donation of a C- 130 Hercules aircraft by the Government of the United States of America as a financial burden disguised as assistance.

2. The BDF categorically rejects these assertions as misleading, speculative and devoid of factual foundation. The reports present conjecture as fact while failing to provide balanced reporting or seek clarification from the institutions directly involved. Such reporting has the potential to misinform members of the public, undermine confidence in national institutions and distort Botswana’s longstanding bilateral relations with its strategic international partners.

3. The donation of the C-130H aircraft forms part of the United States Government’s Excess Defence Articles (EDA) Programme, an established foreign security cooperation initiative administered by the United States Government. The programme enables partner nations to receive surplus but serviceable military equipment to strengthen their legitimate defence and humanitarian capabilities. Equipment transferred under the EDA programme is intended to enhance recipient countries’ operational capacity and regional security cooperation. The programme has benefited numerous partner nations across Africa and the world and is neither unique to Botswana nor unprecedented.

4. It is therefore misleading to portray Botswana’s participation in this programme as an extraordinary arrangement with hidden obligations. The EDA programme is a transparent, internationally recognised security cooperation mechanism founded on mutual interests, shared security objectives and established bilateral agreements.

5. The BDF further wishes to clarify that the acquisition of military capabilities is never undertaken in isolation from considerations of lifecycle support, sustainment, maintenance planning and operational requirements. Like every modern defence force, the BDF conducts technical, operational and financial assessments prior to acceptance of any military equipment. Any future maintenance, infrastructure improvement, personnel training or sustainment requirements associated with military capability development are part of normal defence planning and should not be misconstrued as hidden liabilities arising from the donation itself.

6. Indeed, the United States Government has consistently demonstrated its commitment to ensuring the sustainability of Botswana’s airlift capability. In January 2026, the United States donated nearly P13 million worth of brand-new C-130 maintenance parts, complementing the aircraft previously transferred and reaffirming a partnership spanning more than three decades. Additionally, Botswana has been approved to receive two further C-130H aircraft under the same programme, reflecting continued confidence in the BDF as a responsible security partner.

7. The defence relationship between Botswana and the United States is not recent. It spans decades and has consistently advanced Botswana’s national interests through defence cooperation, professional military education, disaster response support, humanitarian assistance, aviation training, logistics cooperation and peace support capability development.

8. The BDF therefore finds it unfortunate that a partnership built over several decades of mutual trust, transparency and shared commitment to regional peace and stability is now being misrepresented through speculative reporting unsupported by verified facts.

9. The Botswana Defence Force remains deeply concerned by the growing tendency to publish allegations concerning national security matters without affording affected institutions the right to reply, to provide clarification. Responsible journalism demands accuracy, fairness, verification and balance. These principles are especially critical when reporting on matters involving national defence and international security cooperation.

10. The publication and subsequent amplification of unverified information have the potential to:

a. mislead the public and create unnecessary anxiety;

b. undermine public confidence in national institutions;

c. damage the credibility and reputation of the Botswana Defence Force;

d. strain strategic partnerships that Botswana has carefully nurtured over the years;

e. erode public trust in professional journalism.

11. The BDF therefore urges media practitioners to exercise the highest standards of professionalism by verifying information with relevant authorities before publication. Matters concerning defence cooperation often involve technical, operational and diplomatic considerations that require informed and balanced reporting.

12. The Botswana Defence Force remains committed to transparency within the bounds of national security and will continue to provide factual information to the public through appropriate official channels.

13. The BDF equally reaffirms its enduring commitment to safeguarding Botswana’s sovereignty, supporting regional peace and security, and maintaining productive partnerships with friendly nations whose cooperation contributes to the Defence Force’s operational readiness and capability development.

14. The BDF can assure the nation that it has thoroughly inspected the aircraft, confirming it is fully operational and mechanically sound, which is consistent with previous donations. There are no underlying or undisclosed conditions. These donations are intended solely to expand operational reach and enhance the BDF’s air capabilities. We acknowledge that any newly acquired platform will inevitably incur maintenance and operational costs. It is also worth noting that maintenance of this aircraft is not necessarily linked to the donor.

15. Lastly, the BDF is grateful for such contributions from its partner forces and will always welcome similar offers, as these arrangements not only enhance the BDF’s operational capability, but also save the country a significant amount of money. This is fully consistent with one of the Commander’s strategic priorities of Control Escalating Operating Costs, which focuses on comprehensive cost-saving and efficiency measures on force-wide cost-saving initiatives, including bargain procurement and or acquisition.