NEWS & EVENTS - GENERAL
20 September 2026
Soldiers and pilots demonstrate expertise at AAD
General
Thousands turned out to enjoy the good weather and the airshow spectacle this weekend at Waterkloof Air Force Base to mark the end of the AAD expo.
3 September 2026
SAAF navigator wings course 72 takes on â€" and wins â€" medium level VFR challenge
General
Swapping Air Force Base (AFB) Ysterplaat for the AFB Makhado â€" the Limpopo base regarded as “fighter town” in the SA Air Force (SAAF) â€" was no insurmountable challenge for five navigators in training.
2 September 2026
28 Squadron Search and Rescue Training Camp Demonstrates Joint Capability
General
28 Squadron, whose motto states “Portamus we carry”, based at AFB Waterkloof, successfully conducted a Search and Rescue Training Camp at Air Force Base Langebaanweg from 16 to 29 August 2026.
21 August 2026
The exercise injecting life into the SAAF
General
The SAAF will conduct its annual force preparation exercise, Exercise Eagle Dawn II, in the Northern Cape during October. The exercise will begin with a command post exercise before transitioning to live aerial operations.
6 August 2026
Data in the air || Decisions on the ground || That is Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Operator's job
General
Four members of the SAAF successfully completed drone operator training and received their certificates during a ceremony officiated by Brig Gen Jan Augustin, Director Command & Control Systems, at Ditholo Training Centre on 23 July 2026.
20 July 2026
Planning underway for SAAF force preparation exercise Eagle Dawn II
General
The SA Air Force (SAAF) will put its mettle to the test come October/November when it stages Exercise Eagle Dawn II in the Northern Cape province.
7 July 2026
Moatshe plots a path to renew the South African Air Force
General
The end of June saw SA Air Force (SAAF) Chief, Lieutenant General Carl Moatshe, presiding over a promised strategic work session to assess the current state of the airborne service, define its future and establish a roadmap for renewal.
26 June 2026
Embraer sees KC-390 Millenium as transport aircraft of choice for SAAF
General
Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer is hopeful the South African Air Force (SAAF) will select its KC-390 Millenium as its next transport aircraft.
25 June 2026
SAAF BK117s help out with flood relief in the Eastern Cape
General
The lone permanent SAAF helicopter presence in the Eastern Cape, Gqeberha-based 15 Sqn Charlie Flight, spent much of May and June flying humanitarian relief missions in the flood-ravaged coastal province.
22 May 2026
No fuel, no flights, pilots sent home: Shortages and budget cuts push SANDF to breaking point
General
South Africa’s military air capability has suffered another major blow after the SANDF’s ageing fleet of Oryx helicopters was effectively grounded due to fuel shortages and worsening budget constraints, with insiders claiming that only one aircraft remain
21 May 2026
Dean Wingrin's view of the SANDF's budget and ability to fulfill its constitutional mandate
General
Dean Wingrin was interviewed on eNCA. The discussion focused on SA’s defence funding shortfall and the strain this places on the SANDF’s ability to fulfill its constitutional mandate. Dean Wingrin argued that the current budget of R57.6 billion for 2026/2
18 May 2026
South African Air Force honours bravery, courage and sacrifice
General
Members of the South African Air Force (SAAF) and veterans have remembered the thousands of brave men and women who have given their lives in service to South Africa.
15 May 2026
How the SAAF’s new Chief plans to do more with less
General
Having conquered four Comrades Marathons, Lieutenant General Carl Moatshe is no stranger to discipline and overcoming formidable challenges.
4 May 2026
SANDF air charter spend totalled R2.3 billion over five years
General
Publicly elected representatives not part of the Government of National Unity (GNU) use the Parliamentary questions mechanism to let Cabinet Ministers know they â€" and their actions â€" are under scrutiny.
17 April 2026
Vandalism and theft leave historic SAAF base dependent on generator power
General
The oldest base in the SAAF, now one of three components in the Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing (AF MDW), is dependent on generators for its power needs.
1 April 2026
Grounded no more: SAAF inks wet lease deal with budget carrier to restore rapid reaction capability
General
With its C-130BZ fleet barely airworthy and maritime surveillance a distant memory, the South African Air Force has taken a bold step to close its airlift gap.
1 April 2026
New SAAF Chief to build on foundation for next 100 years
General
In a media briefing shortly after taking command of the SAAF at a Change of Command parade in Pretoria on Tuesday, Lt Gen Carl Moatshe stressed that he would focus on skills development to build the Space Command established by his predecessor, Lt Gen Wis
27 March 2026
Moatshe is new SAAF Chief
General
Come the fourth month of 2026 on Wednesday (1 April), newly minted Lieutenant General Carl Moatshe takes over as SA Air Force (SAAF) Chief from Lieutenant General Wiseman Mbambo, who is retiring on 31 March.
26 March 2026
New Chief of the SAAF Named
General
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has named the new Chief of the Airforce (CAF).
20 March 2026
SAAF still deployed to Mozambique for flood relief duties
General
SAAF helicopters are still deployed in Mozambique to assist with humanitarian operations in the aftermath of extreme weather earlier this year and have, to date, rescued 759 people and delivering much-needed food and fuel.
25 February 2026
New SA Defence budget for 2026/27 released
General
The new SA Defence budget for 2026/27 has been released! Herewith my comments and opinion upon initial (and cursory) review. Hint: It's a shocker!
2 February 2026
Mbambo honours SAAF units, bases and personnel at Prestige Parade
General
The SAAF has turned 106 years old, with the Chief of the SAAF, Lieutenant General Wiseman Mbambo, honouring all those who have safeguarded the country’s skies over the last century, including those involved in recent disaster relief efforts.
28 January 2026
Braving stormy seas and floods, SAAF helicopters rescue sailor, 759 Mozambicans in January
General
The SAAF is preparing to celebrate its establishment on Friday, and it will have much to be proud of, having rescued nearly 800 people in January alone.
22 January 2026
SAAF rotorcraft continue to assist with Mozambique rescue ops
General
It appears there are currently four SAAF helicopters flying search and rescue (SAR) sorties in Mozambique as South Africa’s eastern neighbour bears the brunt of continued heavy rain.
16 January 2026
Ramaphosa lauds SA Air Force role in flood rescue
General
Three of five SAAF helicopter squadrons were in action this week assisting people overcome the ravages of Mother Nature and, reportedly in certain instances, arsonists, prompting President Ramaphosa to praise the rotary wing rescues.
Soldiers and pilots demonstrate expertise at AAD
General
Thousands turned out to enjoy the good weather and the airshow spectacle this weekend at Waterkloof Air Force Base to mark the end of the AAD expo.
SAAF navigator wings course 72 takes on â€" and wins â€" medium level VFR challenge
General
Swapping Air Force Base (AFB) Ysterplaat for the AFB Makhado â€" the Limpopo base regarded as “fighter town” in the SA Air Force (SAAF) â€" was no insurmountable challenge for five navigators in training.
28 Squadron Search and Rescue Training Camp Demonstrates Joint Capability
General
28 Squadron, whose motto states “Portamus we carry”, based at AFB Waterkloof, successfully conducted a Search and Rescue Training Camp at Air Force Base Langebaanweg from 16 to 29 August 2026.
The exercise injecting life into the SAAF
General
The SAAF will conduct its annual force preparation exercise, Exercise Eagle Dawn II, in the Northern Cape during October. The exercise will begin with a command post exercise before transitioning to live aerial operations.
Data in the air || Decisions on the ground || That is Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Operator's job
General
Four members of the SAAF successfully completed drone operator training and received their certificates during a ceremony officiated by Brig Gen Jan Augustin, Director Command & Control Systems, at Ditholo Training Centre on 23 July 2026.
Planning underway for SAAF force preparation exercise Eagle Dawn II
General
The SA Air Force (SAAF) will put its mettle to the test come October/November when it stages Exercise Eagle Dawn II in the Northern Cape province.
Moatshe plots a path to renew the South African Air Force
General
The end of June saw SA Air Force (SAAF) Chief, Lieutenant General Carl Moatshe, presiding over a promised strategic work session to assess the current state of the airborne service, define its future and establish a roadmap for renewal.
Embraer sees KC-390 Millenium as transport aircraft of choice for SAAF
General
Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer is hopeful the South African Air Force (SAAF) will select its KC-390 Millenium as its next transport aircraft.
SAAF BK117s help out with flood relief in the Eastern Cape
General
The lone permanent SAAF helicopter presence in the Eastern Cape, Gqeberha-based 15 Sqn Charlie Flight, spent much of May and June flying humanitarian relief missions in the flood-ravaged coastal province.
No fuel, no flights, pilots sent home: Shortages and budget cuts push SANDF to breaking point
General
South Africa’s military air capability has suffered another major blow after the SANDF’s ageing fleet of Oryx helicopters was effectively grounded due to fuel shortages and worsening budget constraints, with insiders claiming that only one aircraft remain
Dean Wingrin's view of the SANDF's budget and ability to fulfill its constitutional mandate
General
Dean Wingrin was interviewed on eNCA. The discussion focused on SA’s defence funding shortfall and the strain this places on the SANDF’s ability to fulfill its constitutional mandate. Dean Wingrin argued that the current budget of R57.6 billion for 2026/2
South African Air Force honours bravery, courage and sacrifice
General
Members of the South African Air Force (SAAF) and veterans have remembered the thousands of brave men and women who have given their lives in service to South Africa.
How the SAAF’s new Chief plans to do more with less
General
Having conquered four Comrades Marathons, Lieutenant General Carl Moatshe is no stranger to discipline and overcoming formidable challenges.
SANDF air charter spend totalled R2.3 billion over five years
General
Publicly elected representatives not part of the Government of National Unity (GNU) use the Parliamentary questions mechanism to let Cabinet Ministers know they â€" and their actions â€" are under scrutiny.
Vandalism and theft leave historic SAAF base dependent on generator power
General
The oldest base in the SAAF, now one of three components in the Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing (AF MDW), is dependent on generators for its power needs.
Grounded no more: SAAF inks wet lease deal with budget carrier to restore rapid reaction capability
General
With its C-130BZ fleet barely airworthy and maritime surveillance a distant memory, the South African Air Force has taken a bold step to close its airlift gap.
New SAAF Chief to build on foundation for next 100 years
General
In a media briefing shortly after taking command of the SAAF at a Change of Command parade in Pretoria on Tuesday, Lt Gen Carl Moatshe stressed that he would focus on skills development to build the Space Command established by his predecessor, Lt Gen Wis
Moatshe is new SAAF Chief
General
Come the fourth month of 2026 on Wednesday (1 April), newly minted Lieutenant General Carl Moatshe takes over as SA Air Force (SAAF) Chief from Lieutenant General Wiseman Mbambo, who is retiring on 31 March.
New Chief of the SAAF Named
General
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has named the new Chief of the Airforce (CAF).
SAAF still deployed to Mozambique for flood relief duties
General
SAAF helicopters are still deployed in Mozambique to assist with humanitarian operations in the aftermath of extreme weather earlier this year and have, to date, rescued 759 people and delivering much-needed food and fuel.
New SA Defence budget for 2026/27 released
General
The new SA Defence budget for 2026/27 has been released! Herewith my comments and opinion upon initial (and cursory) review. Hint: It's a shocker!
Mbambo honours SAAF units, bases and personnel at Prestige Parade
General
The SAAF has turned 106 years old, with the Chief of the SAAF, Lieutenant General Wiseman Mbambo, honouring all those who have safeguarded the country’s skies over the last century, including those involved in recent disaster relief efforts.
Braving stormy seas and floods, SAAF helicopters rescue sailor, 759 Mozambicans in January
General
The SAAF is preparing to celebrate its establishment on Friday, and it will have much to be proud of, having rescued nearly 800 people in January alone.
SAAF rotorcraft continue to assist with Mozambique rescue ops
General
It appears there are currently four SAAF helicopters flying search and rescue (SAR) sorties in Mozambique as South Africa’s eastern neighbour bears the brunt of continued heavy rain.
Ramaphosa lauds SA Air Force role in flood rescue
General
Three of five SAAF helicopter squadrons were in action this week assisting people overcome the ravages of Mother Nature and, reportedly in certain instances, arsonists, prompting President Ramaphosa to praise the rotary wing rescues.
