NEWS & EVENTS - GENERAL
1 November 2018
Reserves to be “classified” for better utilisation
General
The revamp of the Reserve Force service system will see changes for South Africa’s part-time soldiers with among others, a classification system creating different levels of soldier.
26 October 2018
SAAF on firefighting duty in Southern Cape
General
A SA Air Force (SAAF) Oryx medium transport helicopter again showed its worth this week in a single day of firefighting operations in the southern Cape.
22 October 2018
A-Darter ready for launch
General
Denel Dynamics recently completed its V3E Agile Darter (A-Darter) air-to-air missile qualification tests, making deliveries to the South African Air Force (SAAF) a step closer.
19 October 2018
SAAF uses majority of allocated flying hours
General
In the 2017/18 financial year the SA Air Force (SAAF) achieved 81% of its targeted five thousand flying hours.
4 October 2018
Saab puts senior executive in SA to push for Gripen MS20 upgrade
General
Saab has placed a senior executive in South Africa to try and persuade the South African Air Force (SAAF) to buy into the Gripen’s latest upgrade progamme.
2 October 2018
SANDF officer falls to his death during training demonstration
General
An investigation has been launched into the circumstances leading up to the death of a Sergeant who fell out of a helicopter during a roping demonstration at the weekend.
27 September 2018
SAAF CHU medal parade in DR Congo
General
The cloud hanging over the future of the SAAF composite helicopter unit (CHU) deployed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was nowhere to be seen during a medal parade this month addressed by the MONUSCO Force Commander.
19 September 2018
SAAF helicopter damaged during capability demonstration
General
A South African Air Force (SAAF) Oryx medium-transport helicopter was damaged when it landed hard during an Air Capability Demonstration yesterday.
19 September 2018
Air power capability display marred by Oryx “hard landing”
General
Tuesday’s SA Air Force (SAAF) air power capability display in Limpopo was marred by an Oryx emergency landing, fortunately with no injuries.
12 September 2018
SAAF Museum Spitfire fighter project at ‘critical point’
General
The South African Air Force (SAAF) Museum project to rebuild, into flying condition, one of only two Supermarine Spitfires in South Africa has reached a critical point, requiring significant investment to be able to effectively proceed.
5 September 2018
SAAF helicopter damaged in DRC evading ground fire
General
A SAAF helicopter was slightly damaged whilst evading ground fire in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Tuesday.
30 August 2018
Falcon 50 flying again as SAAF improves aircraft maintenance
General
Efforts to get the SAAF’s VIP jet fleet flying again appear to be bearing fruit, with one of the Falcon 50s taking to the skies after some 18 months on the ground.
11 July 2018
SANDF denies suspension of SAAF Chief - Media Statement
General
The Chief of the South African Air Force, Lieutenant General Fabian Zimpande Msimang is not on suspension.
10 July 2018
SAAF Chief apparently suspended – no comment from SANDF
General
SA Air Force (SAAF) Chief Lieutenant General Zakes Msimang is apparently on special leave after being suspended from duty.
8 July 2018
It cost R1.5 million to fly Ramaphosa from Johannesburg to Cape Town
General
The promise from SAA to provide flights for President Cyril Ramaphosa is costing the government millions, according to a report by the City Press.
4 July 2018
Rooivalk remaining in the DRC
General
The Rooivalk combat support helicopter looks set to remain in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), but instead of being attached to the United Nations’ MONUSCO mission, it will apparently be operated only in support of South African troops.
26 June 2018
New SAAF transport aircraft apparently still on the cards
General
The South African Air Force will be getting new medium and light transport aircraft in the next decade, according to the Department of Defence.
20 June 2018
Armscor selling undocumented SAAF Cessna 185s
General
Six years after they were first offered for sale a tranche of unused – and undocumented – SA Air Force (SAAF) Cessna 185s are again up for sale, this time by Armscor via a tender.
12 June 2018
New boss for AFS Port Elizabeth
General
Phetogo Molawa has officially become the ultimate “boss lady” of the air force in PE.
30 May 2018
SAAF moving to make 21 Squadron airworthy
General
Steps are being taken to make the SA Air Force’s (SAAF) VIP transport squadron airworthy again with the latest development being a series of engineering support and procurement tenders issued by Armscor for the squadron’s three Falcon bizjets.
24 May 2018
Rooivalk DRC deployment costs revealed
General
The South African Ministry of Defence has for the first time revealed the operating and deployment costs of the three Denel Rooivalk combat support helicopters deployed to the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the DRC (MONUSCO).
19 May 2018
Taxpayers face R200m bill for Zuma aircraft bungle
General
A bungle by Department of Defence head honchos in leasing planes for the president and his deputy is set to cost taxpayers more than R200-million.
11 May 2018
SAAF shopping for spares and maintenance
General
It appears better use is being made of the minimal funding allocated to the SA Air Force (SAAF) which now wants parts for its Cessna Caravans and “ad-hoc maintenance” for its King Airs.
4 May 2018
SAAF helicopter group in DRC logging less hours
General
The home-grown South African Rooialk combat support helicopter has gained more than its fair share of admirers during its first continental deployment but the number of hours logged on missions continues to decrease and its return home appears to be immin
20 April 2018
Mapisa-Nqakula says SANDF VVIP fleet grounded
General
Six aircraft make up 21 Squadron - that’s the name for the fleet of aircraft that’s meant to fly the country’s top dignitaries. None of them can take off because no maintenance contracts are in place.
Reserves to be “classified” for better utilisation
General
The revamp of the Reserve Force service system will see changes for South Africa’s part-time soldiers with among others, a classification system creating different levels of soldier.
SAAF on firefighting duty in Southern Cape
General
A SA Air Force (SAAF) Oryx medium transport helicopter again showed its worth this week in a single day of firefighting operations in the southern Cape.
A-Darter ready for launch
General
Denel Dynamics recently completed its V3E Agile Darter (A-Darter) air-to-air missile qualification tests, making deliveries to the South African Air Force (SAAF) a step closer.
SAAF uses majority of allocated flying hours
General
In the 2017/18 financial year the SA Air Force (SAAF) achieved 81% of its targeted five thousand flying hours.
Saab puts senior executive in SA to push for Gripen MS20 upgrade
General
Saab has placed a senior executive in South Africa to try and persuade the South African Air Force (SAAF) to buy into the Gripen’s latest upgrade progamme.
SANDF officer falls to his death during training demonstration
General
An investigation has been launched into the circumstances leading up to the death of a Sergeant who fell out of a helicopter during a roping demonstration at the weekend.
SAAF CHU medal parade in DR Congo
General
The cloud hanging over the future of the SAAF composite helicopter unit (CHU) deployed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was nowhere to be seen during a medal parade this month addressed by the MONUSCO Force Commander.
SAAF helicopter damaged during capability demonstration
General
A South African Air Force (SAAF) Oryx medium-transport helicopter was damaged when it landed hard during an Air Capability Demonstration yesterday.
Air power capability display marred by Oryx “hard landing”
General
Tuesday’s SA Air Force (SAAF) air power capability display in Limpopo was marred by an Oryx emergency landing, fortunately with no injuries.
SAAF Museum Spitfire fighter project at ‘critical point’
General
The South African Air Force (SAAF) Museum project to rebuild, into flying condition, one of only two Supermarine Spitfires in South Africa has reached a critical point, requiring significant investment to be able to effectively proceed.
SAAF helicopter damaged in DRC evading ground fire
General
A SAAF helicopter was slightly damaged whilst evading ground fire in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Tuesday.
Falcon 50 flying again as SAAF improves aircraft maintenance
General
Efforts to get the SAAF’s VIP jet fleet flying again appear to be bearing fruit, with one of the Falcon 50s taking to the skies after some 18 months on the ground.
SANDF denies suspension of SAAF Chief - Media Statement
General
The Chief of the South African Air Force, Lieutenant General Fabian Zimpande Msimang is not on suspension.
SAAF Chief apparently suspended – no comment from SANDF
General
SA Air Force (SAAF) Chief Lieutenant General Zakes Msimang is apparently on special leave after being suspended from duty.
It cost R1.5 million to fly Ramaphosa from Johannesburg to Cape Town
General
The promise from SAA to provide flights for President Cyril Ramaphosa is costing the government millions, according to a report by the City Press.
Rooivalk remaining in the DRC
General
The Rooivalk combat support helicopter looks set to remain in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), but instead of being attached to the United Nations’ MONUSCO mission, it will apparently be operated only in support of South African troops.
New SAAF transport aircraft apparently still on the cards
General
The South African Air Force will be getting new medium and light transport aircraft in the next decade, according to the Department of Defence.
Armscor selling undocumented SAAF Cessna 185s
General
Six years after they were first offered for sale a tranche of unused – and undocumented – SA Air Force (SAAF) Cessna 185s are again up for sale, this time by Armscor via a tender.
New boss for AFS Port Elizabeth
General
Phetogo Molawa has officially become the ultimate “boss lady” of the air force in PE.
SAAF moving to make 21 Squadron airworthy
General
Steps are being taken to make the SA Air Force’s (SAAF) VIP transport squadron airworthy again with the latest development being a series of engineering support and procurement tenders issued by Armscor for the squadron’s three Falcon bizjets.
Rooivalk DRC deployment costs revealed
General
The South African Ministry of Defence has for the first time revealed the operating and deployment costs of the three Denel Rooivalk combat support helicopters deployed to the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the DRC (MONUSCO).
Taxpayers face R200m bill for Zuma aircraft bungle
General
A bungle by Department of Defence head honchos in leasing planes for the president and his deputy is set to cost taxpayers more than R200-million.
SAAF shopping for spares and maintenance
General
It appears better use is being made of the minimal funding allocated to the SA Air Force (SAAF) which now wants parts for its Cessna Caravans and “ad-hoc maintenance” for its King Airs.
SAAF helicopter group in DRC logging less hours
General
The home-grown South African Rooialk combat support helicopter has gained more than its fair share of admirers during its first continental deployment but the number of hours logged on missions continues to decrease and its return home appears to be immin
Mapisa-Nqakula says SANDF VVIP fleet grounded
General
Six aircraft make up 21 Squadron - that’s the name for the fleet of aircraft that’s meant to fly the country’s top dignitaries. None of them can take off because no maintenance contracts are in place.
