NEWS & EVENTS - ACQUISITIONS
10 September 2004
First Denel Agusta A109 helicopter takes off
Acquisitions
History was made yesterday (9 September 2004) when the first locally assembled Agusta A109 Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) took to the skies. The helicopter, with tail number 4006, successfully completed a series of acceptance test flights at Denel...
20 August 2004
Integration of SA systems into Hawk advances
Acquisitions
The prototype of the South African Air Force (SAAF) version of the BAE Systems Hawk lead-in fighter-trainer is more than 33% through its flight development programme for the integration of the locally-designed and -manufactured navigation and attack ...
3 March 2004
Pennant Wins South African Hawk Training System Contract
Acquisitions
Pennant Training Systems Limited (Pennant) has announced the award of a six figure contract by BAE Systems plc for Phase 1a of a programme to supply a suite comprising: a Computer Based Instruction System (CBIS), a Virtual Aircraft Training System (V...
19 February 2004
Cheaper arms deal still 40% of defence spending
Acquisitions
GOVERNMENT has lowered its overall cost estimate of SA's strategic arms acquisition package, largely due to the strengthening of the rand last year. But the cost of the package remains well over the original figure in current rand terms, and if t...
5 February 2004
A tough new Hawk in our skies
Acquisitions
By Jeremy Michaels, Leon Engelbrecht and Graeme HoskenSouth Africa has unveiled its first Hawk training fighter jet with an awe-inspiring display in the skies over the Cape south coast, marking a new phase of the multi-billion rand arms deal.Followin...
26 January 2004
Newspaper continues anti-Hawk campaign despite official displeasure
Acquisitions
The Citizen, a Johannesburg-based tabloid started with apartheid government money in the 1970s, is continuing its apparent crusade against the current government's decision to purchase BAE Systems Hawk lead-in fighter trainers (LIFT). The paper o...
19 January 2004
Development of Infrared Countermeasures
Acquisitions
The National Laser Centre Trust of Pretoria was awarded an extension to an Armscor contract for the development of infrared counter measures on 22 December 2003. The contract value is R192 005.00.Armscor...
8 December 2003
South African Hawk flies
Acquisitions
THE first Hawk for the South African Air Force is shown making its maiden flight at BAE Systems’ Warton airfield on October 2, 2003. Piloted by Gordon McLyment, it was airborne for 23min. The aircraft is finished in two-tone grey and carries th...
21 November 2003
First SAAF Hawk arrives
Acquisitions
The first Hawk fighter trainer jet purchased in terms of the multi-billion rand arms deal arrived in South Africa on Friday, arms procurer Armscor said in Pretoria.It said the Hawk KM (webmater: Mk) 120 was transported by air from Warton in the Unite...
14 October 2003
Indian fighter pilot swops Delhi MiG's for SA's Impala
Acquisitions
English summary: How a 52 year-old Indian air force pilot with more than 5 000 hours joined the SAAF as an instructor on the Impala when he retired from the IAF. Lt Col Rama Iyer is presently working on the training syllabus for the new Hawk tr...
10 September 2003
Midnite to take to the sky
Acquisitions
Erika Gibson Major Musa "Midnite" Mbhokota, assistant project officer, will carry a heavy burden when the new Gripen fighter planes are taken into use. Mbhokota is the first black Cheetah pilot and represents the "face"...
17 August 2003
Cobra helmet-mounted display to equip SA Gripens
Acquisitions
BAE Systems, Saab Aerospace and South African company Cumulus have started work to integrate the former company's Cobra integrated helmet-mounted display (IHMD) system into the JAS 39C/D Gripen swing-role fighter aircraft for the SAAF to be deliv...
14 August 2003
South Africa Confirms Contract For Agustawestland Super Lynx 300
Acquisitions
At a signing ceremony held in Pretoria today, Minister Lekota, Minister of Defence signed the agreement on behalf of the Department of Defence for the supply of four Super Lynx 300 maritime helicopters together with an initial product support package...
19 June 2003
Integrated helmet-mounted display for Gripen
Acquisitions
Saab Aerospace of Sweden and BAE Systems' Avionics' group, in partnership with South Africa's Cumulus, have signed an agreement that will see the latter's Striker integrated helmet-mounted display (IHMD) developed further for use on t...
17 June 2003
New Hawk flies in SA
Acquisitions
BAE Systems recently disclosed that the South African Hawk New Demonstrator Aircraft flew for the first time with the Rolls-Royce Turbomeca Adour Mk 951 engine on 27 May. The sortie, at the South African Air Force's (SAAF's) Test Flight and D...
26 February 2003
New Maritime Helicopters Approved
Acquisitions
Excerpt from Finance Minister Trevor Manuel's 2003 budget speech today:'Additional allocations to the South African National Defence Force provide for the acquisitions of four maritime helicopters and R200 million a year to contribute to the ...
17 February 2003
Denel Aviation Has Started Final Assembly Of The SAAF A109 Light Utility Helicopter
Acquisitions
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica and GKN company, announced that the final assembly of the first Agusta A109 Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) airframe for the South African Air Force, has started in South Africa at the Denel Aviation facilities. Denel Av...
12 December 2002
Rooivalk: not just any old helicopter
Acquisitions
It can co-ordinate various functions, has adapted to challengesWhen government announced the commissioning of the Rooivalk into service, mainly in support of peacekeeping operations, some reports welcomed Rooivalk's future contribution to SA'...
5 December 2002
Cabinet approves Rooivalk
Acquisitions
Cabinet has approved a request by the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) to commission the locally manufactured Rooivalk combat support helicopter, government spokesperson Joel Netshitenzhe said on Thursday. "The helicopter programme represents s...
21 November 2002
South African battlespace C2 framework in the making
Acquisitions
An integrated command and control (C2) systems masterplan, developed under the auspices of Project Erabus, has been submitted for approval by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). Intended as a blueprint for all three services, a number o...
28 October 2002
Black pilot makes history - again
Acquisitions
South Africa's most senior fully qualified black fighter pilot, Captain Musa "Midnight" Mbhokota, has made history -- again. In a joint exercise in Sweden with the chief of the South African Air Force, Lieutenant General Roelf Beukes, h...
22 October 2002
New BBJ arrives!
Acquisitions
Inkwanzi, or fish eagle, President Thabo Mbeki's controversial jet, landed at Waterkloof airbase minutes shortly after 00:00 on Tuesday, air force spokesperson Francois Coetzee said.The intercontinental Boeing Business Jet was flown on a non-stop...
20 October 2002
R535m jet for President will be landing soon
Acquisitions
SOUTH Africas R535-million presidential jet could arrive in the country tonight, according to Sam Mkhwanazi, spokesman for Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota. According to Armscors annual report the Boeing Business Jet, which can reach destinations in A...
18 October 2002
Presidential jet costs detailed
Acquisitions
Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota today disclosed further details of the new presidential jet, revealing that value added tax of about R82-million will be paid in addition to the more than R500-million purchase price. Lekota said the initial price of t...
23 August 2002
Flying New Jets on Empty Tanks
Acquisitions
By Peter HoneyIt was a terrible year, truly terrible - the worst I have experienced since taking command," says air force chief Lt Gen Roelf Beukes.He's speaking about 2001, when the air force started the year with an R85m (4,4%) budget defi...
First Denel Agusta A109 helicopter takes off
Acquisitions
History was made yesterday (9 September 2004) when the first locally assembled Agusta A109 Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) took to the skies. The helicopter, with tail number 4006, successfully completed a series of acceptance test flights at Denel...
Integration of SA systems into Hawk advances
Acquisitions
The prototype of the South African Air Force (SAAF) version of the BAE Systems Hawk lead-in fighter-trainer is more than 33% through its flight development programme for the integration of the locally-designed and -manufactured navigation and attack ...
Pennant Wins South African Hawk Training System Contract
Acquisitions
Pennant Training Systems Limited (Pennant) has announced the award of a six figure contract by BAE Systems plc for Phase 1a of a programme to supply a suite comprising: a Computer Based Instruction System (CBIS), a Virtual Aircraft Training System (V...
Cheaper arms deal still 40% of defence spending
Acquisitions
GOVERNMENT has lowered its overall cost estimate of SA's strategic arms acquisition package, largely due to the strengthening of the rand last year. But the cost of the package remains well over the original figure in current rand terms, and if t...
A tough new Hawk in our skies
Acquisitions
By Jeremy Michaels, Leon Engelbrecht and Graeme HoskenSouth Africa has unveiled its first Hawk training fighter jet with an awe-inspiring display in the skies over the Cape south coast, marking a new phase of the multi-billion rand arms deal.Followin...
Newspaper continues anti-Hawk campaign despite official displeasure
Acquisitions
The Citizen, a Johannesburg-based tabloid started with apartheid government money in the 1970s, is continuing its apparent crusade against the current government's decision to purchase BAE Systems Hawk lead-in fighter trainers (LIFT). The paper o...
Development of Infrared Countermeasures
Acquisitions
The National Laser Centre Trust of Pretoria was awarded an extension to an Armscor contract for the development of infrared counter measures on 22 December 2003. The contract value is R192 005.00.Armscor...
South African Hawk flies
Acquisitions
THE first Hawk for the South African Air Force is shown making its maiden flight at BAE Systems’ Warton airfield on October 2, 2003. Piloted by Gordon McLyment, it was airborne for 23min. The aircraft is finished in two-tone grey and carries th...
First SAAF Hawk arrives
Acquisitions
The first Hawk fighter trainer jet purchased in terms of the multi-billion rand arms deal arrived in South Africa on Friday, arms procurer Armscor said in Pretoria.It said the Hawk KM (webmater: Mk) 120 was transported by air from Warton in the Unite...
Indian fighter pilot swops Delhi MiG's for SA's Impala
Acquisitions
English summary: How a 52 year-old Indian air force pilot with more than 5 000 hours joined the SAAF as an instructor on the Impala when he retired from the IAF. Lt Col Rama Iyer is presently working on the training syllabus for the new Hawk tr...
Midnite to take to the sky
Acquisitions
Erika Gibson Major Musa "Midnite" Mbhokota, assistant project officer, will carry a heavy burden when the new Gripen fighter planes are taken into use. Mbhokota is the first black Cheetah pilot and represents the "face"...
Cobra helmet-mounted display to equip SA Gripens
Acquisitions
BAE Systems, Saab Aerospace and South African company Cumulus have started work to integrate the former company's Cobra integrated helmet-mounted display (IHMD) system into the JAS 39C/D Gripen swing-role fighter aircraft for the SAAF to be deliv...
South Africa Confirms Contract For Agustawestland Super Lynx 300
Acquisitions
At a signing ceremony held in Pretoria today, Minister Lekota, Minister of Defence signed the agreement on behalf of the Department of Defence for the supply of four Super Lynx 300 maritime helicopters together with an initial product support package...
Integrated helmet-mounted display for Gripen
Acquisitions
Saab Aerospace of Sweden and BAE Systems' Avionics' group, in partnership with South Africa's Cumulus, have signed an agreement that will see the latter's Striker integrated helmet-mounted display (IHMD) developed further for use on t...
New Hawk flies in SA
Acquisitions
BAE Systems recently disclosed that the South African Hawk New Demonstrator Aircraft flew for the first time with the Rolls-Royce Turbomeca Adour Mk 951 engine on 27 May. The sortie, at the South African Air Force's (SAAF's) Test Flight and D...
New Maritime Helicopters Approved
Acquisitions
Excerpt from Finance Minister Trevor Manuel's 2003 budget speech today:'Additional allocations to the South African National Defence Force provide for the acquisitions of four maritime helicopters and R200 million a year to contribute to the ...
Denel Aviation Has Started Final Assembly Of The SAAF A109 Light Utility Helicopter
Acquisitions
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica and GKN company, announced that the final assembly of the first Agusta A109 Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) airframe for the South African Air Force, has started in South Africa at the Denel Aviation facilities. Denel Av...
Rooivalk: not just any old helicopter
Acquisitions
It can co-ordinate various functions, has adapted to challengesWhen government announced the commissioning of the Rooivalk into service, mainly in support of peacekeeping operations, some reports welcomed Rooivalk's future contribution to SA'...
Cabinet approves Rooivalk
Acquisitions
Cabinet has approved a request by the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) to commission the locally manufactured Rooivalk combat support helicopter, government spokesperson Joel Netshitenzhe said on Thursday. "The helicopter programme represents s...
South African battlespace C2 framework in the making
Acquisitions
An integrated command and control (C2) systems masterplan, developed under the auspices of Project Erabus, has been submitted for approval by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). Intended as a blueprint for all three services, a number o...
Black pilot makes history - again
Acquisitions
South Africa's most senior fully qualified black fighter pilot, Captain Musa "Midnight" Mbhokota, has made history -- again. In a joint exercise in Sweden with the chief of the South African Air Force, Lieutenant General Roelf Beukes, h...
New BBJ arrives!
Acquisitions
Inkwanzi, or fish eagle, President Thabo Mbeki's controversial jet, landed at Waterkloof airbase minutes shortly after 00:00 on Tuesday, air force spokesperson Francois Coetzee said.The intercontinental Boeing Business Jet was flown on a non-stop...
R535m jet for President will be landing soon
Acquisitions
SOUTH Africas R535-million presidential jet could arrive in the country tonight, according to Sam Mkhwanazi, spokesman for Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota. According to Armscors annual report the Boeing Business Jet, which can reach destinations in A...
Presidential jet costs detailed
Acquisitions
Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota today disclosed further details of the new presidential jet, revealing that value added tax of about R82-million will be paid in addition to the more than R500-million purchase price. Lekota said the initial price of t...
Flying New Jets on Empty Tanks
Acquisitions
By Peter HoneyIt was a terrible year, truly terrible - the worst I have experienced since taking command," says air force chief Lt Gen Roelf Beukes.He's speaking about 2001, when the air force started the year with an R85m (4,4%) budget defi...
