NEWS & EVENTS - GENERAL
8 July 2025
SAAF looking to Pakistan for training and aircraft maintenance
General
SAAF Chief, Lieutenant General Wiseman Mbambo, was in Pakistan earlier this month (July) where, reports have it, “revamping” of the South African airborne service’s training regime was an agenda item.
7 July 2025
SA Air Force Steady and Ready for Upcoming Exercise EAGLE DAWN
General
Over the period of 23 " 27 June 2025, the SA Air Force was seen tackling the last planning phase of the upcoming Exercise EAGLE DAWN 2025 that will take place from 21 July to 06 August 2025.
2 July 2025
Denel to deliver first production A-Darter missiles to the SAAF this month
General
Denel Dynamics is due to deliver the first operational A-Darter fifth generation air-to-air missiles to the South African Air Force (SAAF) this month, after years of delays.
27 June 2025
Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing in a ‘shocking state’
General
South African Air Force (SAAF) Mobile Deployment Wing (formerly Air Force Base Swartkop) is battling with a number of infrastructure problems, including a lack of electricity, no runway lights, bad roads, and limited security.
25 June 2025
SAAF aircraft maintenance facing a nearly R8 billion shortfall
General
The SAAF faces a R7.7 billion shortfall to fund aircraft support contracts over the next three years, with state defence materiel agency Armscor saying the SAAF maintenance budget should be two to three times what it currently stands at.
18 June 2025
SAAF belatedly sends Oryx to Eastern Cape for flood relief
General
A shortage of qualified flight engineers, pilots and aircraft has meant that the SAAF belatedly managed to send only a single Oryx helicopter to help with flood relief efforts in the Eastern Cape, where dozens of lives have been lost.
17 June 2025
How the SANDF's Flight Engineer shortage hampered flood response in the Eastern Cape
General
The absence of Flight Engineers (FEs) has significantly hampered the SANDF ability to operate vital aircraft during recent floods in Mthatha, as heavy rains and snow battered the Eastern Cape.
15 June 2025
SANDF budget constraints: SAAF needs R414 million to refurbish Ramaphosa’s presidential jet
General
The interior update will not occur in this contracting period due to a lack of funds.
13 June 2025
Defence readiness under fire as MPs grill Armscor over failing Navy and Air Force contracts
General
Members of Parliament from across the political spectrum on Friday interrogated Armscor and the Department of Defence over delays, underfunding, and systemic risks undermining the SANDF.
11 June 2025
Armed Forces and SAAF Prestige days will be back
General
Events and deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) earlier this year contributed in no small measure to the postponement of two major annual SA National Defence Force (SANDF) events.
9 June 2025
15 Squadron’s Charlie Flight sets the standard for SAAF rotorcraft display flying
General
A show stopper at the South African Presidential inauguration last June was a breathtaking display by two BK117 helicopters operated by 15 Squadron’s Charlie Flight.
3 June 2025
National security at threat as alarm bells rung over SANDF Air Force Engineer shortage
General
A brewing crisis within the SAAF is putting national security at risk, as a shortage of Flight Engineers cripples the operational capacity of the SANDF’s most vital aircraft.
29 May 2025
Old but still working " SAAF responds to claims of radar net failure
General
South African Air Force (SAAF) “radar sensor systems” in use for over 35 years are “still serviceable in spite of long lead times on procurement of spares and down time due to age”.
23 May 2025
South African seas and skies “vulnerable”
General
Gaps in the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) radar net are reportedly the newest addition to the “broken, damaged or unusable” list of equipment putting security under threat, a National Assembly (NA) parliamentarian warns.
20 May 2025
Two hundred thousand plus apply for five thousand MSDS slots
General
The proverbial jury is and probably will remain out on whether patriotism or a need for gainful employment drives the massive number of applications to become SANDF Military Skills Development System (MSDS) recruits.
11 April 2025
SAAF King Air loses door on take-off
General
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) can confirm that a SAAF King Air aircraft was involved in an aviation-related incident upon take off from the Lanseria airport during its maintenance flight from Lanseria airport to Air Force Base Waterkloo
3 April 2025
SAAF urgently seeking spares for four types in its fleet
General
The SA Air Force (SAAF) is, via Armscor, urgently looking for spare and replacement parts for four types in its fleet.
1 April 2025
SANDF Says South Africa Can Conquer Any Nation With Fewer Than Six Working Aircrafts
General
The SANDF has issued a bold statement, claiming it is now capable of conquering any nation with an air force that has fewer than six working aircraft. Military analysts are still trying to determine which, if any, nations meet this strict criterion.
28 March 2025
SAAF VVIP squadron logs minimal flying hours
General
21 Squadron, the SAAF’s dedicated VVIP and VIP transport unit, fell far short of allocated flying hours in the 2023/24 financial year " its prime asset, the Presidential Boeing 737-7ED, logged just 123 of an allocated 540 hours amid wider serviceability p
27 March 2025
Setting the record straight on SAAF aircraft availability
General
The SAAF is facing a severe operational crisis, with aircraft availability at critically low levels across all divisions. A recent assessment covering the six-month period from September 2024 to March 2025, which defenceWeb has seen, lays bare the extent
17 March 2025
Helicopter remains anyone?
General
Armscor, via its Defence Disposal Services (DDS), plans to dispose of the remains of an Agusta A109 light utility helicopter that crashed in 2016, by way of a contract issued this month (March).
12 March 2025
New SA Defence budget for 2025/26 released
General
The new SA Defence budget for 2025/26 has been released! Herewith a few comments upon initial (and very quick) review. The total Dept of Defence budget for 2025/26 budget is R58.52 bn, an increase from R55.94 bn in 2024/25. What does this mean?
18 February 2025
SANDF makes 2026 MSDS application forms available
General
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has opened its Military Skills Development System (MSDS) applications for 2026, allowing young and deserving South Africans the chance to join the military on a two-year contract.
31 January 2025
Shrinking SAAF budget puts Denel’s aircraft maintenance and repair facilities in jeopardy
General
Answering a Parliamentary question regarding Denel aircraft maintenance capabilities, Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga acknowledged the State-owned defence and technology conglomerate faced a skilled personnel shortage as well as hav
31 January 2025
SAAF explains golf day held amid DRC fighting
General
All revenue generated by this week’s SA Air Force (SA) golf day " better known as the CAF (Chief Air Force) golf day " will go to support the families of 13 soldiers killed in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
SAAF looking to Pakistan for training and aircraft maintenance
General
SAAF Chief, Lieutenant General Wiseman Mbambo, was in Pakistan earlier this month (July) where, reports have it, “revamping” of the South African airborne service’s training regime was an agenda item.
SA Air Force Steady and Ready for Upcoming Exercise EAGLE DAWN
General
Over the period of 23 " 27 June 2025, the SA Air Force was seen tackling the last planning phase of the upcoming Exercise EAGLE DAWN 2025 that will take place from 21 July to 06 August 2025.
Denel to deliver first production A-Darter missiles to the SAAF this month
General
Denel Dynamics is due to deliver the first operational A-Darter fifth generation air-to-air missiles to the South African Air Force (SAAF) this month, after years of delays.
Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing in a ‘shocking state’
General
South African Air Force (SAAF) Mobile Deployment Wing (formerly Air Force Base Swartkop) is battling with a number of infrastructure problems, including a lack of electricity, no runway lights, bad roads, and limited security.
SAAF aircraft maintenance facing a nearly R8 billion shortfall
General
The SAAF faces a R7.7 billion shortfall to fund aircraft support contracts over the next three years, with state defence materiel agency Armscor saying the SAAF maintenance budget should be two to three times what it currently stands at.
SAAF belatedly sends Oryx to Eastern Cape for flood relief
General
A shortage of qualified flight engineers, pilots and aircraft has meant that the SAAF belatedly managed to send only a single Oryx helicopter to help with flood relief efforts in the Eastern Cape, where dozens of lives have been lost.
How the SANDF's Flight Engineer shortage hampered flood response in the Eastern Cape
General
The absence of Flight Engineers (FEs) has significantly hampered the SANDF ability to operate vital aircraft during recent floods in Mthatha, as heavy rains and snow battered the Eastern Cape.
SANDF budget constraints: SAAF needs R414 million to refurbish Ramaphosa’s presidential jet
General
The interior update will not occur in this contracting period due to a lack of funds.
Defence readiness under fire as MPs grill Armscor over failing Navy and Air Force contracts
General
Members of Parliament from across the political spectrum on Friday interrogated Armscor and the Department of Defence over delays, underfunding, and systemic risks undermining the SANDF.
Armed Forces and SAAF Prestige days will be back
General
Events and deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) earlier this year contributed in no small measure to the postponement of two major annual SA National Defence Force (SANDF) events.
15 Squadron’s Charlie Flight sets the standard for SAAF rotorcraft display flying
General
A show stopper at the South African Presidential inauguration last June was a breathtaking display by two BK117 helicopters operated by 15 Squadron’s Charlie Flight.
National security at threat as alarm bells rung over SANDF Air Force Engineer shortage
General
A brewing crisis within the SAAF is putting national security at risk, as a shortage of Flight Engineers cripples the operational capacity of the SANDF’s most vital aircraft.
Old but still working " SAAF responds to claims of radar net failure
General
South African Air Force (SAAF) “radar sensor systems” in use for over 35 years are “still serviceable in spite of long lead times on procurement of spares and down time due to age”.
South African seas and skies “vulnerable”
General
Gaps in the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) radar net are reportedly the newest addition to the “broken, damaged or unusable” list of equipment putting security under threat, a National Assembly (NA) parliamentarian warns.
Two hundred thousand plus apply for five thousand MSDS slots
General
The proverbial jury is and probably will remain out on whether patriotism or a need for gainful employment drives the massive number of applications to become SANDF Military Skills Development System (MSDS) recruits.
SAAF King Air loses door on take-off
General
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) can confirm that a SAAF King Air aircraft was involved in an aviation-related incident upon take off from the Lanseria airport during its maintenance flight from Lanseria airport to Air Force Base Waterkloo
SAAF urgently seeking spares for four types in its fleet
General
The SA Air Force (SAAF) is, via Armscor, urgently looking for spare and replacement parts for four types in its fleet.
SANDF Says South Africa Can Conquer Any Nation With Fewer Than Six Working Aircrafts
General
The SANDF has issued a bold statement, claiming it is now capable of conquering any nation with an air force that has fewer than six working aircraft. Military analysts are still trying to determine which, if any, nations meet this strict criterion.
SAAF VVIP squadron logs minimal flying hours
General
21 Squadron, the SAAF’s dedicated VVIP and VIP transport unit, fell far short of allocated flying hours in the 2023/24 financial year " its prime asset, the Presidential Boeing 737-7ED, logged just 123 of an allocated 540 hours amid wider serviceability p
Setting the record straight on SAAF aircraft availability
General
The SAAF is facing a severe operational crisis, with aircraft availability at critically low levels across all divisions. A recent assessment covering the six-month period from September 2024 to March 2025, which defenceWeb has seen, lays bare the extent
Helicopter remains anyone?
General
Armscor, via its Defence Disposal Services (DDS), plans to dispose of the remains of an Agusta A109 light utility helicopter that crashed in 2016, by way of a contract issued this month (March).
New SA Defence budget for 2025/26 released
General
The new SA Defence budget for 2025/26 has been released! Herewith a few comments upon initial (and very quick) review. The total Dept of Defence budget for 2025/26 budget is R58.52 bn, an increase from R55.94 bn in 2024/25. What does this mean?
SANDF makes 2026 MSDS application forms available
General
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has opened its Military Skills Development System (MSDS) applications for 2026, allowing young and deserving South Africans the chance to join the military on a two-year contract.
Shrinking SAAF budget puts Denel’s aircraft maintenance and repair facilities in jeopardy
General
Answering a Parliamentary question regarding Denel aircraft maintenance capabilities, Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga acknowledged the State-owned defence and technology conglomerate faced a skilled personnel shortage as well as hav
SAAF explains golf day held amid DRC fighting
General
All revenue generated by this week’s SA Air Force (SA) golf day " better known as the CAF (Chief Air Force) golf day " will go to support the families of 13 soldiers killed in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
