Tag: SA Air Force
Old but still working – SAAF responds to claims of radar...
South African Air Force (SAAF) “radar sensor systems” in use for over 35 years are “still serviceable in spite of long lead times on...
Alouette II beats Gautrain in pre-airshow race
A South African Air Force (SAAF) Museum Alouette II helicopter raced and beat the Gautrain this morning in the annual pre-SAAF Museum air show...
Top student on SAAF airspace control course scores 97 plus percent
Command and control (C2) is long recognised in the wider military sphere as being essential to successful operations, and this is now inherent in...
Clear weather forecast for Saturday’s SAAF Museum air show
The first Saturday in May is traditionally SA Air Force (SAAF) Museum air show day and this Saturday will be the fourteenth time what...
SAAF King Air light transport aircraft loses door
A twin-engined SA Air Force (SAAF) B200C King Air lost its fuselage panel fitted with a door on take-off from Lanseria International Airport at...
SAAF urgently seeking spares for four types in its fleet
The SA Air Force (SAAF) is, via Armscor, urgently looking for spare and replacement parts for four types in its fleet.
The aircraft types are,...
SAAF VVIP squadron logs minimal flying hours
21 Squadron, the South African Air Force’s (SAAF’s) dedicated VVIP and VIP transport unit, fell far short of allocated flying hours in the 2023/24...
Helicopter remains anyone?
Armscor, via its Defence Disposal Services (DDS), plans to dispose of the remains of an Agusta A109 light utility helicopter that crashed in 2016,...
SA military aviation anniversaries to be marked in January
South Africa’s military aviation fraternity, from those currently in the SA Air Force (SAAF) to those who previously wore the blue uniform, is gearing...
New SAAF Deputy Chief
Come Wednesday 1 January Major General Lancelot Mathebula will add the post of SA Air Force (SAAF) Deputy Chief to his current duties as...
A year’s worth of work ahead to make three Rooivalks airworthy...
December next year is when three Rooivalk combat support helicopters now back in South Africa are expected to return to service.
That’s the official word...
Nod of approval for Ex Eagle Eye II
The SA Air Force (SAAF) force preparation exercise Eagle Eye finished with an all-round thumbs-up for mission accomplishment at the Alldays airport (ADY/FAAL) two...
SANDF fleet at ‘all-time low’ as the military ‘sits helpless’
"Whether on ground, in the air or at sea, the SANDF sits helpless,” is National Council of Provinces (NCOP) member of the Select Committee...
SAAF personnel hear force is asset rich but cash poor
Four weeks after Air Force Base (AFB) Waterkloof hosted a successful Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) exhibition, SA Air Force (SAAF) Chief Lieutenant General...
Budget cuts, not mismanagement, at the heart of SANDF maintenance issues
Limited funding for maintenance combined with budget cuts has left the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) with no money to maintain the equipment...
Ramaphosa inauguration looks to be a day to remember for aircraft...
When Cyril Ramaphosa is inaugurated as President of South Africa for his second term of office tomorrow (Wednesday, 19 June) it will happen at...
SAAF personnel complete rigorous mobile air operations training at Lohatlha
Twenty-one SA Air Force (SAAF) personnel spent five weeks in the inhospitable terrain that is the SA Army Combat Training Centre (CTC) at Lohatlha...
Modise sidesteps Lekota question on serviceable SAAF fighters
Mosiuoa Lekota, who was at the helm of South Africa’s defence and military veterans ministry at the time the Strategic Defence Procurement Package (SDPP)...
Use of SAAF aircraft for party political purposes slammed
The apparent “commandeering” of SA Air Force (SAAF) platforms to transport senior government officials, seemingly including President Cyril Ramaphosa and his deputy Paul Mashatile,...
SAAF rotorcraft shortfall sees firefighting take preference over Presidential duties
That an Oryx medium transport helicopter tasked “For the President” had to be re-tasked for firefighting duty before Christmas is a further example of...
SAAF Chief visits China
Following the September visit to South Africa by General Chang Dingqiu, Commander of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLA Air Force), December...
SAAF firefighting to the fore in Simon’s Town
The potentially life and property threatening fire which raged across the mountains around SA Navy (SAN) fleet headquarters at Simon’s Town this week was,...
Financial and technical issues delay new SANDF equipment
The latest Armscor annual report has revealed formidable hurdles faced by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) in upgrading its equipment due to...
SAAF’s Charlie Flight to the rescue
The lone SA Air Force (SAAF) presence in Eastern Cape – 15 Squadron’s Charlie Flight – showed its rescue capabilities when called on by...
No project name needed for SAAF C-130BZ Hercules work
Spending a billion Rand to upgrade two ageing SA Air Force (SAAF) medium transport aircraft does not necessitate a project being registered.
That’s the word...
Change of plan for aspirant South African Air Force officers who...
Goalposts have been moved – temporarily it appears – for a component of the SA Air Force (SAAF) officers’ forming course (OFC).
The shift is...
C-47 racks up 80 years in the SAAF
June 2023 marks what should have been a landmark event for the SA Air Force (SAAF).
It was on Solstice Day (21 June) in 1943...
Hangar at AFB Durban back in use after refurbishment
A refurbished hangar at Air Force Base (AFB) Durban indicates the lone SA Air Force (SAAF) base in KwaZulu-Natal is set to remain on...
SAAF to celebrate its anniversary with Prestige Parade
Tomorrow (Friday, 27 January) the SA Air Force (SAAF) stages its annual Prestige Day parade in the wake of its prestige awards at Air...
SANDF sharp end maintenance done “on demand”
Defence and Military Veterans Minister Thandi Modise says maintenance of military equipment used by the combat services of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF)...
SAAF officer ranks boosted
The officer ranks of the SA Air Force (SAAF) are 41 stronger following a commissioning parade at SAAF College in Thaba Tshwane.
The new additions,...
PCDMV ends year with oversight visit to Bloemfontein
A reasonable evaluation of the year fast nearing its end, from the point of view of a Parliamentary oversight committee, could be pessimistic tinged...
SAAF – air power limited, air conditioning zero
Just over seven months after the SA Air Force (SAAF) told all and sundry air-conditioning at its headquarters was US (unserviceable), the same malaise...
Will SAAF Gripens ever fly?
The sharp end of the SA Air Force (SAAF) – its Gripen fighters – have been grounded for over a year and, despite encouraging...
Public Works Minister on second oversight visit to AFB Durban
The interest shown in flood repair work at Air Force Base (AFB) Durban by Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Patricia de Lille is seen...
Flood damage fixed at AFB Durban, move on hold
Air Force Base (AFB) Durban is not going anywhere for at least the next five years and any changes or re-alignment of its strategy...
Ex Winter Solstice preparing SAAF for out of country deployment
SA Air Force (SAAF) personnel are currently busy with a field training exercise (FTX) in preparation for external deployments.
The airborne service of the national...
SAAF officers back from Cuban training
A batch of SA Air Force (SAAF) officers are the latest beneficiaries of Cuban military expertise and training thanks to what is known in...
USAF C-130J integral to Shared Accord tactical air landing exercise
A highlight, at least for 28 Squadron personnel, of Exercise Shared Accord was the presence and participation of a United States Air Force (USAF)...
Six new pilot instructors for the SAAF
The SA Air Force (SAAF) boasts six new pilot instructors in its ranks following successful completion of the theory component at Air Force Base...
Uniformed pastors a new experience for West Coast high school pupils
“Freeing the eagle” is the motto currently providing direction for SA Air Force (SAAF) personnel with Air Force Base (AFB) Langebaanweg leading the way...
SAAF keeping its C47-TPs in service
The remaining handful of C-47TPs in service with 35 Squadron are in line for maintenance with Armscor seeking suitable suppliers of parts.
The venerable C-47s...
SAAF Gripens still on the ground
The sharp end of the SA Air Force (SAAF) – Air Force Base (AFB) Makhado-based 2 Squadron and its Saab Gripen fighters – has...
AFB Waterkloof fire “an accident”
No evidence of foul play or sabotage was discovered by SA Air Force (SAAF) investigators following a fire at the bulk fuel installation at...
CAF unveils new SAAF vision
Instead of celebrating outstanding achievements by SA Air Force (SAAF) personnel, Thursday’s Prestige Evening was the platform for CAF Lieutenant General Wiseman Mbambo to...
The SAAF marks its anniversary this week
An SA Air Force (SAAF) event on Friday (4 February) will mark what is now known as Prestige Day, celebrating its establishment.
On Thursday, the...
SAAF “aircraft launching systems” need work
The SA Air Force (SAAF) is, according to Armscor, in need of maintenance and repair work on its “aircraft launching and landing systems”.
A tender...
SAAF Gripens still grounded
Close on two months after South Africans heard fighter jets in “their” air force were grounded, the situation remains unchanged with a national defence...
60 Squadron still active as VVIP transport unit
Fourteen years after its last sortie – delivery of a Boeing 707 to the SA Air Force (SAAF) Museum at Air Force Base (AFB)...
Air force and Army promotions
Senior rank numbers in the SA Army and SA Air Force (SAAF) increased by 25 this week with promotions to colonel and one brigadier...
