Shauket A Fakie, the Auditor General of South Africa, has issued a report calling into serious question the acquisition process for the recent massive arms purchases. The report noted that the British Hawk trainer was selected despite being more expensive than other planes that had a higher technical evaluation rating. The South African military said that the Hawk deal was made because of the financial aid package and the promised transfer of technology from British Aerospace, leading to a long term cooperation agreement.--Stephen V Cole