NEWS & EVENTS - ACQUISITIONS
2 July 2025
Denel to deliver first production A-Darter missiles to the SAAF this month
Acquisitions
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.
3 April 2025
SAAF urgently seeking spares for four types in its fleet
Acquisitions
The SA Air Force (SAAF) is, via Armscor, urgently looking for spare and replacement parts for four types in its fleet.
7 January 2025
South African delegation visits Embraer as interest remains high in its C-390 transport
Acquisitions
South African Air Force (SAAF) representatives were among a high-level government delegation that was recently given a tour of Embraer’s facilities in Brazil, including C-390 Millenium and A-29 Super Tucano production lies.
4 October 2024
A-Darter practice missiles to be delivered this month
Acquisitions
The much-delayed delivery of Denel’s fifth-generation Denel V3E Agile-Darter (A-Darter) short-range air-to-air missile (SRAAM) to the SAAF will begin in October with training missiles, while operational A-Darters are expected in March or April of next yea
9 September 2024
C47-TP grounding leaves SAAF with no maritime eyes in the sky
Acquisitions
The SA Air Force (SAAF) is stranded when it comes to maritime patrols and the possibility of replacement airframes appearing is slim to non-existent.
22 February 2024
Delivery of first operational A-Darters scheduled for December
Acquisitions
Slow progress is being recorded with the long-delayed A-Darter air-to-air missile being manufactured by Denel Dynamics for the SAAF, with delivery of trainer and operational missiles scheduled for later this year.
24 November 2023
KC-390 at Waterkloof for SAAF demonstration
Acquisitions
A Brazilian Air Force Embraer KC-390 Millenium tanker/transport aircraft landed at AFB Waterkloof on Friday morning for demonstrations to the SAAF and other government departments as the SAAF investigates future replacement or augmentation of its ageing C
21 November 2023
Embraer to demonstrate C-390 to the SAAF
Acquisitions
Brazilian aerospace company Embraer will later this month demonstrate its C-390 Millenium transport aircraft to the South African Air Force (SAAF).
24 August 2023
No project name needed for SAAF C-130BZ Hercules work
Acquisitions
Spending a billion Rand to upgrade two ageing SA Air Force (SAAF) medium transport aircraft does not necessitate a project being registered.
27 July 2023
Denel and Aselsan further collaborate on Rooivalk modernisation
Acquisitions
Denel Aeronautics and Aselsan have signed an agreement covering future avionics modernisation of the Rooivalk attack helicopter, following an earlier memorandum of understanding announced at AAD exhibition last year.
18 April 2023
SAAF wants radar road transporters and aircrew rescue vehicles
Acquisitions
The prime mission of the SA Air Force (SAAF) is to defend South Africa’s airspace which means ensuring aircraft as well as air and ground crews are fit for dispatch on missions, sorties and taskings. In support of this, different vehicles are integral.
1 March 2023
Armscor making little headway on Hoefyster and A-Darter projects
Acquisitions
There has been little forward movement on the Badger and A-Darter projects for the SA National Defence Force (SANDF), which is still in the dark as to when it will receive its new infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) and air-to-air missiles from Denel.
30 January 2023
Additional transport aircraft high on SAAF’s priority list
Acquisitions
Medium and strategic airlift are at the centre of the South African Air Force’s (SAAF’s) attention due to its commitments on the African continent, Chief of the SAAF Lieutenant General Wiseman Mbambo has said.
3 November 2022
SAAF evaluating offer of acquiring ex-US C-130H Hercules
Acquisitions
The United States has offered South Africa retired C-130H Hercules transport aircraft to replace its ageing C-130BZ fleet, with the South African Air Force (SAAF) presently considering the offer.
31 January 2022
SAAF “aircraft launching systems” need work
Acquisitions
The SA Air Force (SAAF) is, according to Armscor, in need of maintenance and repair work on its “aircraft launching and landing systems”.
8 October 2020
SAAF acquisition of SAA aircraft was on the table
Acquisitions
More information on the now denied sale or transfer of three South African Airways (SAA) aircraft to the SA Air Force (SAAF) indicates what can be termed “exploratory talks” did take place.
6 October 2020
SAA denies SAAF will be getting three of its aircraft
Acquisitions
South African Airways (SAA) denies reports the South African Air Force (SAAF) is getting three ex-SAA Airbus aircraft, although this may be a possibility in future.
12 February 2019
ThoroughTec delivering more simulators to the SANDF
Acquisitions
South African simulation house ThoroughTec Simulation is delivering simulators to the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) as part of several broader equipment acquisition programmes. These include Tactical Crew Training Simulators forthe Army’s B
4 January 2019
SAAF seeking support services for its Falcons
Acquisitions
Nothing having been made public to the contrary, the SA Air Force (SAAF) is still operating in austerity mode with acquisition replaced by maintenance and product support for the existing fleet.
22 October 2018
A-Darter ready for launch
Acquisitions
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.
4 October 2018
Saab puts senior executive in SA to push for Gripen MS20 upgrade
Acquisitions
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.
26 June 2018
New SAAF transport aircraft apparently still on the cards
Acquisitions
The South African Air Force will be getting new medium and light transport aircraft in the next decade, according to the Department of Defence.
25 October 2017
Ejection seat mods coming for three SAAF aircraft types
Acquisitions
Modifications, some of them large scale, to cockpits of three aircraft types in the SAAF fleet are under investigation by the Armscor acquisition department.
6 October 2017
DoD outlines equipment acquisition plans
Acquisitions
The South African Department of Defence aims to acquire medium and light transport aircraft, infantry combat vehicles, mobile water provisioning systems, logistics vehicles, air-to-air missiles and inshore and offshore patrol vessels over the coming years
14 June 2017
Is a replacement for 21 Squadron’s Falcon 900B on the way?
Acquisitions
The acquisition of a new presidential jet seems to have fallen off the radar but there is a new and, at this stage, small blip on the SA Air Force acquisition radar - a replacement for the Falcon 900B.
Denel to deliver first production A-Darter missiles to the SAAF this month
Acquisitions
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.
SAAF urgently seeking spares for four types in its fleet
Acquisitions
The SA Air Force (SAAF) is, via Armscor, urgently looking for spare and replacement parts for four types in its fleet.
South African delegation visits Embraer as interest remains high in its C-390 transport
Acquisitions
South African Air Force (SAAF) representatives were among a high-level government delegation that was recently given a tour of Embraer’s facilities in Brazil, including C-390 Millenium and A-29 Super Tucano production lies.
A-Darter practice missiles to be delivered this month
Acquisitions
The much-delayed delivery of Denel’s fifth-generation Denel V3E Agile-Darter (A-Darter) short-range air-to-air missile (SRAAM) to the SAAF will begin in October with training missiles, while operational A-Darters are expected in March or April of next yea
C47-TP grounding leaves SAAF with no maritime eyes in the sky
Acquisitions
The SA Air Force (SAAF) is stranded when it comes to maritime patrols and the possibility of replacement airframes appearing is slim to non-existent.
Delivery of first operational A-Darters scheduled for December
Acquisitions
Slow progress is being recorded with the long-delayed A-Darter air-to-air missile being manufactured by Denel Dynamics for the SAAF, with delivery of trainer and operational missiles scheduled for later this year.
KC-390 at Waterkloof for SAAF demonstration
Acquisitions
A Brazilian Air Force Embraer KC-390 Millenium tanker/transport aircraft landed at AFB Waterkloof on Friday morning for demonstrations to the SAAF and other government departments as the SAAF investigates future replacement or augmentation of its ageing C
Embraer to demonstrate C-390 to the SAAF
Acquisitions
Brazilian aerospace company Embraer will later this month demonstrate its C-390 Millenium transport aircraft to the South African Air Force (SAAF).
No project name needed for SAAF C-130BZ Hercules work
Acquisitions
Spending a billion Rand to upgrade two ageing SA Air Force (SAAF) medium transport aircraft does not necessitate a project being registered.
Denel and Aselsan further collaborate on Rooivalk modernisation
Acquisitions
Denel Aeronautics and Aselsan have signed an agreement covering future avionics modernisation of the Rooivalk attack helicopter, following an earlier memorandum of understanding announced at AAD exhibition last year.
SAAF wants radar road transporters and aircrew rescue vehicles
Acquisitions
The prime mission of the SA Air Force (SAAF) is to defend South Africa’s airspace which means ensuring aircraft as well as air and ground crews are fit for dispatch on missions, sorties and taskings. In support of this, different vehicles are integral.
Armscor making little headway on Hoefyster and A-Darter projects
Acquisitions
There has been little forward movement on the Badger and A-Darter projects for the SA National Defence Force (SANDF), which is still in the dark as to when it will receive its new infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) and air-to-air missiles from Denel.
Additional transport aircraft high on SAAF’s priority list
Acquisitions
Medium and strategic airlift are at the centre of the South African Air Force’s (SAAF’s) attention due to its commitments on the African continent, Chief of the SAAF Lieutenant General Wiseman Mbambo has said.
SAAF evaluating offer of acquiring ex-US C-130H Hercules
Acquisitions
The United States has offered South Africa retired C-130H Hercules transport aircraft to replace its ageing C-130BZ fleet, with the South African Air Force (SAAF) presently considering the offer.
SAAF “aircraft launching systems” need work
Acquisitions
The SA Air Force (SAAF) is, according to Armscor, in need of maintenance and repair work on its “aircraft launching and landing systems”.
SAAF acquisition of SAA aircraft was on the table
Acquisitions
More information on the now denied sale or transfer of three South African Airways (SAA) aircraft to the SA Air Force (SAAF) indicates what can be termed “exploratory talks” did take place.
SAA denies SAAF will be getting three of its aircraft
Acquisitions
South African Airways (SAA) denies reports the South African Air Force (SAAF) is getting three ex-SAA Airbus aircraft, although this may be a possibility in future.
ThoroughTec delivering more simulators to the SANDF
Acquisitions
South African simulation house ThoroughTec Simulation is delivering simulators to the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) as part of several broader equipment acquisition programmes. These include Tactical Crew Training Simulators forthe Army’s B
SAAF seeking support services for its Falcons
Acquisitions
Nothing having been made public to the contrary, the SA Air Force (SAAF) is still operating in austerity mode with acquisition replaced by maintenance and product support for the existing fleet.
A-Darter ready for launch
Acquisitions
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.
Saab puts senior executive in SA to push for Gripen MS20 upgrade
Acquisitions
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.
New SAAF transport aircraft apparently still on the cards
Acquisitions
The South African Air Force will be getting new medium and light transport aircraft in the next decade, according to the Department of Defence.
Ejection seat mods coming for three SAAF aircraft types
Acquisitions
Modifications, some of them large scale, to cockpits of three aircraft types in the SAAF fleet are under investigation by the Armscor acquisition department.
DoD outlines equipment acquisition plans
Acquisitions
The South African Department of Defence aims to acquire medium and light transport aircraft, infantry combat vehicles, mobile water provisioning systems, logistics vehicles, air-to-air missiles and inshore and offshore patrol vessels over the coming years
Is a replacement for 21 Squadron’s Falcon 900B on the way?
Acquisitions
The acquisition of a new presidential jet seems to have fallen off the radar but there is a new and, at this stage, small blip on the SA Air Force acquisition radar - a replacement for the Falcon 900B.
