South Africa’s coastline and airspace have become increasingly vulnerable as budget cuts severely limit patrol capabilities of the navy and air force.

Our sister publication Sunday Times recently highlighted the alarming impact: the air force, facing a steady decline over the past 12 years, logged only 6,904 flying hours in the last financial year — barely half of its 12,000-hour target. Meanwhile, the navy managed just 2,641 hours at sea, far short of the 8,000-hour goal...