NEWS & EVENTS - GENERAL
26 September 2025
“Reduced” system availability hampers SAAF observation tasking
General
As part of its duties, the SAAF is tasked with monitoring “farm airstrips” as potential sites for trafficking ranging from contraband through to humans and weapons.
19 September 2025
Six SADC air forces bolster Ex Blue Lugwasho with aircraft contributions
General
Botswana, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Zambia, and South Africa are among the SADC nations contributing aircraft to Exercise Blue Lugwasho currently underway in Zambia.
9 September 2025
SADC air exercise Blue Lugwasho 2025 kicks off in Zambia
General
Nine Southern African Development Community (SADC) member countries are represented at Exercise Blue Lugwasho currently underway in Zambia.
8 September 2025
Bravery of Poles and SA airmen in 1944 Warsaw Uprising remembered
General
The Polish people who fought heroically during the Warsaw Uprising in 1944, and the bravery of the South African aircrews who undertook to resupply the Polish resistance during the 63-day airlift in World War Two, have been remembered at the Katyn Memoria
3 September 2025
Only items of ‘limited tactical value’, not weapons stolen from Bloemspruit " SANDF
General
The SANDF has clarified that no arms or combat weapon systems were stolen from Air Force Base Bloemspruit in Bloemfontein, contradicting an earlier media report that Rooivalk ammunition was taken by thieves.
2 September 2025
Instructors Course 01/23 " A Journey of Two Years
General
Two years, sleepless nights, countless hours in the air and on the ground, and now the chapter has finally closed. Instructors Course 01/23 was more than just a qualification; it was a test of endurance, patience, and growth.
1 September 2025
Lax security sees SAAF base lose ammunition to thieves " report
General
The SAAF base in Bloemfontein " home to its Rooivalk combat support helicopter squadron " is another addition to the list of SA National Defence Force (SANDF) facilities where lax security has seen theft, including that of ammunition, happen.
27 August 2025
SAAF Chief tells space conference not to rely on foreign infrastructure
General
The SAAF was one of the entities present at South Africa’s third National Space Conference in Pretoria last week, with its chief, Lieutenant General Wiseman Mbambo, selected as keynote speaker.
24 August 2025
Although grounded, the SAAF’s C47-TP Turbo Dakotas may live to fly again
General
Despite not having flown for three years, reports that the C47-TP Turbo Dakota being retired from SAAF service appear to be greatly exaggerated.
18 August 2025
Oryx helicopters are not stranded in the DRC
General
The South African Air Force’s (SAAF’s) five Oryx transport helicopters in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are not stranded there, and will return home.
15 August 2025
SANDF launches landmark Joint Basic Military Training for 11 000 new recruits
General
The SANDF will this month boost its personnel by 11 000 in a major Military Skills Development System (MSDS) intake to put more " trained " boots on the ground.
12 August 2025
1 Air Servicing Unit to undertake historic SAAF helicopter restoration
General
AFB Waterkloof in Centurion with 1 Air Servicing Unit (ASU) in the vanguard has been entrusted with a heritage project to restore the first helicopter ever in SAAF service to display standard.
5 August 2025
Sandu successful in fight for SAAF firefighters’ incentive allowance
General
More than three years ago SAAF firefighters lost their technical competency-based incentive pay (TCIP) due to what the SA National Defence Union (Sandu) called “a military dispensation”.
25 July 2025
SAAF radars in the repair and maintenance queue
General
An Armscor tender shows the SA Air Force (SAAF) is attempting to improve the availability of its radar systems " essential in ensuring national airspace security.
21 July 2025
Pilot Wings Course 130 Reaches Milestone
General
After 15 months of waiting, the South African Air Force (SAAF) Pilot Wings Course (PWC 130) students have achieved a significant milestone by completing their first flight.
21 July 2025
SAAF BK117 to the rescue
General
The SAAF has played a central role in the rescue of two men from a mountainside in the Eastern Cape, using a BK117 helicopter to hoist them to safety.
18 July 2025
New award added to SAAF prestige list
General
There’s another award for SAAF personnel to strive for " the Free the Eagle Innovation trophy " aimed at encouraging out-of-the-box thinking leading to innovations that will “propel” the airborne service of the SANDF forward.
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.
“Reduced” system availability hampers SAAF observation tasking
General
As part of its duties, the SAAF is tasked with monitoring “farm airstrips” as potential sites for trafficking ranging from contraband through to humans and weapons.
Six SADC air forces bolster Ex Blue Lugwasho with aircraft contributions
General
Botswana, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Zambia, and South Africa are among the SADC nations contributing aircraft to Exercise Blue Lugwasho currently underway in Zambia.
SADC air exercise Blue Lugwasho 2025 kicks off in Zambia
General
Nine Southern African Development Community (SADC) member countries are represented at Exercise Blue Lugwasho currently underway in Zambia.
Bravery of Poles and SA airmen in 1944 Warsaw Uprising remembered
General
The Polish people who fought heroically during the Warsaw Uprising in 1944, and the bravery of the South African aircrews who undertook to resupply the Polish resistance during the 63-day airlift in World War Two, have been remembered at the Katyn Memoria
Only items of ‘limited tactical value’, not weapons stolen from Bloemspruit " SANDF
General
The SANDF has clarified that no arms or combat weapon systems were stolen from Air Force Base Bloemspruit in Bloemfontein, contradicting an earlier media report that Rooivalk ammunition was taken by thieves.
Instructors Course 01/23 " A Journey of Two Years
General
Two years, sleepless nights, countless hours in the air and on the ground, and now the chapter has finally closed. Instructors Course 01/23 was more than just a qualification; it was a test of endurance, patience, and growth.
Lax security sees SAAF base lose ammunition to thieves " report
General
The SAAF base in Bloemfontein " home to its Rooivalk combat support helicopter squadron " is another addition to the list of SA National Defence Force (SANDF) facilities where lax security has seen theft, including that of ammunition, happen.
SAAF Chief tells space conference not to rely on foreign infrastructure
General
The SAAF was one of the entities present at South Africa’s third National Space Conference in Pretoria last week, with its chief, Lieutenant General Wiseman Mbambo, selected as keynote speaker.
Although grounded, the SAAF’s C47-TP Turbo Dakotas may live to fly again
General
Despite not having flown for three years, reports that the C47-TP Turbo Dakota being retired from SAAF service appear to be greatly exaggerated.
Oryx helicopters are not stranded in the DRC
General
The South African Air Force’s (SAAF’s) five Oryx transport helicopters in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are not stranded there, and will return home.
SANDF launches landmark Joint Basic Military Training for 11 000 new recruits
General
The SANDF will this month boost its personnel by 11 000 in a major Military Skills Development System (MSDS) intake to put more " trained " boots on the ground.
1 Air Servicing Unit to undertake historic SAAF helicopter restoration
General
AFB Waterkloof in Centurion with 1 Air Servicing Unit (ASU) in the vanguard has been entrusted with a heritage project to restore the first helicopter ever in SAAF service to display standard.
Sandu successful in fight for SAAF firefighters’ incentive allowance
General
More than three years ago SAAF firefighters lost their technical competency-based incentive pay (TCIP) due to what the SA National Defence Union (Sandu) called “a military dispensation”.
SAAF radars in the repair and maintenance queue
General
An Armscor tender shows the SA Air Force (SAAF) is attempting to improve the availability of its radar systems " essential in ensuring national airspace security.
Pilot Wings Course 130 Reaches Milestone
General
After 15 months of waiting, the South African Air Force (SAAF) Pilot Wings Course (PWC 130) students have achieved a significant milestone by completing their first flight.
SAAF BK117 to the rescue
General
The SAAF has played a central role in the rescue of two men from a mountainside in the Eastern Cape, using a BK117 helicopter to hoist them to safety.
New award added to SAAF prestige list
General
There’s another award for SAAF personnel to strive for " the Free the Eagle Innovation trophy " aimed at encouraging out-of-the-box thinking leading to innovations that will “propel” the airborne service of the SANDF forward.
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.
