SAAF receives replacements for ageing fleet

Bloemfontein - The South African Air Force received the first four of 30 new Agusta light utility helicopters (LUH) on Wednesday to replace its ageing Alouette III fleet.

This is the first certified product to be taken into service by the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) delivered under the controversial multi-billion rand arms deal signed in 2000.

Receiving the helicopters at the Bloemspruit air base, Bloemfontein, Chief of the Air Force Lieut-Gen Carlo Gagiano said the new rotorcraft would make an enhanced contribution to the operational capabilities of the SANDF.

"Regional deployments have however placed new demands on the SANDF and it has become more difficult to meet operational requirements with the current Alouette III capability," he said.

Speaking on behalf of deputy defence minister Moleleki George, Secretary of Defence January Masileka said the new aircraft would help the government to support its people with search and rescue, law enforcement and the preparation of operational readiness of the SANDF.

"(It)... would further enable government to participate more effectively in support of NEPAD initiatives, including the work of the African Union and contributing to the African standby force," he said.

Chairman of Armscor Popo Molefe said the company, as the acquisition agency for the Department of Defence, was proud to present the finished product to the SAAF.

"This is the most advanced light utility helicopter in the world. We are satisfied that the helicopter will perform to your specifications," he said.

According to the SAAF the first eight pilots could start their training on the new helicopter in February 2006 at 87 Helicopter Flying School in Bloemfontein.

This would include two black and two female pilots.

Gagiano said there was great excitement about the new aircraft.

The Alouette III has been in use as a LUH in the SAAF since 1962.

"The new aircraft is a more-than-worthy replacement," said Gagiano.

The new Agusta A109 LUH helicopter will among other things provide the SAAF with an better all weather single pilot aircraft, a better night capacity that includes night vision goggles operation, better aircraft performance, more advance avionics and communication.

The air force will have received the first eight to 10 by year-end.

Delivery will then take place at a rate of one a month.

In terms of South Africa's other arms deal acquisitions, it was expected that the first SAAF Gripen aircraft would roll off the production line in Sweden on October 28.

"The Hawk aircraft are due to be handed over to the Chief of SA Air Force in April 2006 for the first operational training course to commence," Masileka said.

He said the first corvette for the SA Navy was approaching completion of its combat suite integration and could be handed to the navy in February 2006.

The first submarine is to be commissioned in Germany on November 3 and will be handed over to the navy on the same day.

Sapa