Johannesburg - South Africa's security establishment could be at risk after last week's theft of key equipment from state-owned arms company Denel.
Thieves broke into Denel headquarters and stole computer disks containing production information on the Rooivalk attack helicopter.
Security analysts said that although it would be futile to point fingers at any particular group for the theft, the incident had exposed shortcomings in the security of key national institutions.
"It is unimaginable that somebody could break into a key institution like that and take such vital data without being detected," said an analyst, who wanted to remain anonymous.
Thieves forcibly entered the Denel Aviation Military Aircraft division's premises in Kempton Park last weekend and stole 22 desktop computers, three laptops and an overhead projector.
The stolen computer hard drive apparently contained data on the top-secret Rooivalk helicopter and some information on Hawk jet fighter components, which Denel was manufacturing for UK-based BAE Systems.
Peter Gastrow, the director of the Institute for Security Studies, said the motive for the burglary appeared to be far more than met the eye.
"One must assume that far more sophisticated motives were behind it, including espionage. That information could be used by Denel competitors or rivals," he said.
"We should not underestimate the extend of such criminal acts."
Denel deputy chief executive Max Sisulu said entry was gained by digging a trench beneath an electrified, concrete-base, triple perimeter fence. He said the theft must have been carried out by people who knew the premises very well, because the power for the electric fencing had been on during and after the burglary.
"The Denel Aviation site is a national key point and conforms to the security requirements of the National Key Point Act.
"All relevant security systems were in operational order at the time of the burglary," he said.
Sisulu said the information stolen on the computers related to operational production and logistic support issues such as parts lists, production routing and schedules.
However, he said no blueprints had been stolen.
"No secret information such as performance specifications, operational abilities or commercially sensitive information was contained in these computers.
"It has been confirmed that all information which could be considered sensitive is intact and appropriately protected," said Sisulu.
The police and the National Intelligence Agency were investigating the theft and an internal probe had been launched, the company said.
The Rooivalk - Afrikaans for "red hawk" - is a modern attack helicopter manufactured exclusively by Denel. It carries a comprehensive range of state-of-the-art weaponry.
It can engage multiple targets at short and long range, using its nose-mounted cannon and a range of underwing-mounted munitions.
The SA Air Force has ordered 16 Rooivalk AH-2s, the first of which entered service in July 1999. The final delivery is scheduled for June 2002.