NEWS & EVENTS - ACQUISITIONS
6 October 2001
First two C-130BZ Hercules handed over
Acquisitions
The first two C-130Bs to complete the full avionic upgrade to C-130BZ standard have been redelivered. The two aircraft, 407 and 408, left Marshall Aerospace's Cambridge facility on 8 August for AFB Waterkloof. Of the two, 407 had arrived at Cambr...
29 September 2001
SAAF to get full complement of new aircraft
Acquisitions
The government remains on course to buy all the jet fighters and trainers originally included in the R43.8bn arms deal, which, with a projected additional R22.9bn in interest over 21 years, now totals R66.7bn. Defence Minister Mosiuou Lekota confirme...
2 August 2001
SAAF Features at RIAT 2001
Acquisitions
The SAAF featured once again at the Royal International Air Tattoo this year, although unofficialy.BAe Systems capitalised on the recent Gripen and Hawk deal by applying SAAF logos to their mock-up display aircraft, while the much delayed C-130B Herc...
18 July 2001
Summary of SAAF plans
Acquisitions
In line with the previously released Defence Review, the active fleet will be reduced by cutting the Impala fleet from the current 48 Mk I and Mk IIs operated to 24 airframes, while the number of Cheetah C/Ds is to be reduced to 28 from 39. The Pilat...
4 July 2001
New Presidential jet delivered
Acquisitions
Boeing Business Jets has delivered the Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) to the South African Air Force during the delivery ceremony at Boeing Field on June 26 2001. 21 Squadron will will use the aircraft for VIP transport.The new Boeing BBJ Presidential jet...
29 June 2001
Hercules upgrade problems
Acquisitions
The Afrikaans daily, Die Burger, reports that the delivery of the first C-130 Hercules upgraded by Marshall Aerospace is already seven months behind schedule due to contractual problems.The first aircraft was delivered to Marshall Aerospace in 1996. ...
6 June 2001
Kaman back in the running?
Acquisitions
There are strong unconfirmed reports from a reliable source that the United States has offered South Africa four Kaman SH2 Seasprite helicopters at no cost. South Africa has a requirement for four (or more) naval helicopters for use aboard its Meko A...
18 May 2001
SAAF to get new Boeing Presidential jet
Acquisitions
A VIP jet costing a total of R408m is to be bought by the SAAF to ferry President Thabo Mbeki and other cabinet ministers to international destinations. It will cost R300m plus an extra R108m for interior fittings.'"With South Africa's r...
14 May 2001
New IR AAM for the SAAF?
Acquisitions
South Africa is looking for a new IR AAM, primarily for Gripen but also for Hawk and maybe Cheetah. Shortlisted are A-Darter, ASRAAM, IRIS-T and Python 4. ...
10 May 2001
SAAF reveals plans for Gripen and Hawk
Acquisitions
South African Air Force chief Lt Gen Jan Beukes yesterday lifted the veil on his service's plans to re-invent itself for an African 21st Century. Beukes also clarified the role the SAAF's new aircraft as well as its legacy systems would play ...
19 March 2001
SAAF not looking for VIP pilots
Acquisitions
Despite newspaper reports to the contary, the SAAF is not looking to hire commercial pilots for its new VIP jet, rumoured to be the Boeing 737-700.According to a SAAF insider, there is a process being followed for the acquisition of, the intergration...
13 March 2001
SAN ships built to accommodate Lynx only
Acquisitions
Senior naval sources say the hangars and flight deck of South Africa's four Meko A200SAN corvettes are being built with AgustaWestland's Lynx naval helicopter in mind. Although the military has short-listed the ultra- sophisticated and very e...
2 March 2001
The SAAF's first Hawk hatching
Acquisitions
BAE SYSTEMS announced in its annual results this week that the construction of the first of 24 Hawk lead-in fighter trainers for the SA Air Force was underway. "BAE SYSTEMS has been contracted to supply the South African Air Force with 24 dual-s...
22 February 2001
New jet for President Mbeki
Acquisitions
The 2001/02 Defence Force budget, announced by Finance Minister Trevor Manual today, has made allowances for a total of R300 million to be spent over the next two years to buy a long-range aircraft to be used mainly by the President.The defence vote ...
27 October 2000
New VIP jet?
Acquisitions
It is rumoured that the new VIP transport aircraft for the State President has been short listed to the Boeing 737 Business Jet and the Airbus A319, presumably the Corporate Jet version.It is not certain where the funds will come from as the SAAF bud...
19 September 2000
Tellumat completes radar upgrade work
Acquisitions
More news from AAAD 2000: Tellumat Defence has revealed that the development work on a contract to upgrade radar installations for the SAAF was now complete and that the first system was undergoing trials."A key feature is that the radar, locate...
19 September 2000
Maritime capability is key for South African air force
Acquisitions
A lack of maritime patrol capability is causing concern within the South African Air Force. The requirement is one of several buys the SAAF wants to push through over the next 10 years.
11 September 2000
Seasprite to replace Lynx?
Acquisitions
Kaman appear to rate their chances good to convince the SA government that the preferred bidder for the maritime helicopter, the Westland Super Lynx 300, should be replaced by the cheaper Seasprite. Kaman would like to propose either a refurbished SH...
7 August 2000
Sea choppers to cost R800m
Acquisitions
The government could spend more than R800 million on four new maritime patrol helicopters in addition to the country's R30 billion arms procurement package, a source close to the deal said at the weekend.Another option might be to ditch GKN Westl...
14 June 2000
MPA Choice for SAAF
Acquisitions
The SAAF has begun studies to determine its options to replace the elderly C-47TP Dakotas currently used in the maritime patrol role. Prices for surplus US Navy P-3B Orions have been provided, and negotiations have also been held with the Netherlands...
1 June 2000
SAAF to acquire new presidential jet?
Acquisitions
The SAAF is currently drawing up the requirements for a new presidential jet to replace the Flacon 900 which recently broke-down in the UK, leaving President Thabo Mbeki to hitch a lift to the US on another privately owned plane.The aircraft is belie...
23 May 2000
SAAF Hawks to use more powerful Adour engines
Acquisitions
Rolls-Royce Turbomeca is to supply to a more powerful engine - the 6,500lb thrust Adour 951 - for the fleet of 24 BAE SYSTEMS Hawk 100 lead-in fighter trainer (LIFT) aircraft ordered by South Africa. The Adour 951 is the first production versio...
23 May 2000
C-130 Update update
Acquisitions
The multi-billion rand refurbishing of the SA Air Force's C130 fleet is reportedly progressing well. The Afrikaans daily, Beeld, reports the programme is progressing well despite having been delayed for some months. The upgrade of the 12-strong f...
23 May 2000
New Presidential jet?
Acquisitions
President Thabo Mbeki is to get a new official aircraft, despite heavy criticism of the move. The Afrikaans daily, Beeld, reports Armscor recently sent out tender documents to various aircraft suppliers asking for information. The closing date for th...
20 April 2000
SAAF opts for Lightning targeting pod
Acquisitions
RAFAEL has signed a contract for supplying "LIGHTNING" optical attack systems for the new Gripen fighters purchased by the SAAF. British Aerospace has announced recently that it will purchase 12 LIGHTNING systems produced by RAFAEL in Israe...
First two C-130BZ Hercules handed over
Acquisitions
The first two C-130Bs to complete the full avionic upgrade to C-130BZ standard have been redelivered. The two aircraft, 407 and 408, left Marshall Aerospace's Cambridge facility on 8 August for AFB Waterkloof. Of the two, 407 had arrived at Cambr...
SAAF to get full complement of new aircraft
Acquisitions
The government remains on course to buy all the jet fighters and trainers originally included in the R43.8bn arms deal, which, with a projected additional R22.9bn in interest over 21 years, now totals R66.7bn. Defence Minister Mosiuou Lekota confirme...
SAAF Features at RIAT 2001
Acquisitions
The SAAF featured once again at the Royal International Air Tattoo this year, although unofficialy.BAe Systems capitalised on the recent Gripen and Hawk deal by applying SAAF logos to their mock-up display aircraft, while the much delayed C-130B Herc...
Summary of SAAF plans
Acquisitions
In line with the previously released Defence Review, the active fleet will be reduced by cutting the Impala fleet from the current 48 Mk I and Mk IIs operated to 24 airframes, while the number of Cheetah C/Ds is to be reduced to 28 from 39. The Pilat...
New Presidential jet delivered
Acquisitions
Boeing Business Jets has delivered the Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) to the South African Air Force during the delivery ceremony at Boeing Field on June 26 2001. 21 Squadron will will use the aircraft for VIP transport.The new Boeing BBJ Presidential jet...
Hercules upgrade problems
Acquisitions
The Afrikaans daily, Die Burger, reports that the delivery of the first C-130 Hercules upgraded by Marshall Aerospace is already seven months behind schedule due to contractual problems.The first aircraft was delivered to Marshall Aerospace in 1996. ...
Kaman back in the running?
Acquisitions
There are strong unconfirmed reports from a reliable source that the United States has offered South Africa four Kaman SH2 Seasprite helicopters at no cost. South Africa has a requirement for four (or more) naval helicopters for use aboard its Meko A...
SAAF to get new Boeing Presidential jet
Acquisitions
A VIP jet costing a total of R408m is to be bought by the SAAF to ferry President Thabo Mbeki and other cabinet ministers to international destinations. It will cost R300m plus an extra R108m for interior fittings.'"With South Africa's r...
New IR AAM for the SAAF?
Acquisitions
South Africa is looking for a new IR AAM, primarily for Gripen but also for Hawk and maybe Cheetah. Shortlisted are A-Darter, ASRAAM, IRIS-T and Python 4. ...
SAAF reveals plans for Gripen and Hawk
Acquisitions
South African Air Force chief Lt Gen Jan Beukes yesterday lifted the veil on his service's plans to re-invent itself for an African 21st Century. Beukes also clarified the role the SAAF's new aircraft as well as its legacy systems would play ...
SAAF not looking for VIP pilots
Acquisitions
Despite newspaper reports to the contary, the SAAF is not looking to hire commercial pilots for its new VIP jet, rumoured to be the Boeing 737-700.According to a SAAF insider, there is a process being followed for the acquisition of, the intergration...
SAN ships built to accommodate Lynx only
Acquisitions
Senior naval sources say the hangars and flight deck of South Africa's four Meko A200SAN corvettes are being built with AgustaWestland's Lynx naval helicopter in mind. Although the military has short-listed the ultra- sophisticated and very e...
The SAAF's first Hawk hatching
Acquisitions
BAE SYSTEMS announced in its annual results this week that the construction of the first of 24 Hawk lead-in fighter trainers for the SA Air Force was underway. "BAE SYSTEMS has been contracted to supply the South African Air Force with 24 dual-s...
New jet for President Mbeki
Acquisitions
The 2001/02 Defence Force budget, announced by Finance Minister Trevor Manual today, has made allowances for a total of R300 million to be spent over the next two years to buy a long-range aircraft to be used mainly by the President.The defence vote ...
New VIP jet?
Acquisitions
It is rumoured that the new VIP transport aircraft for the State President has been short listed to the Boeing 737 Business Jet and the Airbus A319, presumably the Corporate Jet version.It is not certain where the funds will come from as the SAAF bud...
Tellumat completes radar upgrade work
Acquisitions
More news from AAAD 2000: Tellumat Defence has revealed that the development work on a contract to upgrade radar installations for the SAAF was now complete and that the first system was undergoing trials."A key feature is that the radar, locate...
Maritime capability is key for South African air force
Acquisitions
A lack of maritime patrol capability is causing concern within the South African Air Force. The requirement is one of several buys the SAAF wants to push through over the next 10 years.
Seasprite to replace Lynx?
Acquisitions
Kaman appear to rate their chances good to convince the SA government that the preferred bidder for the maritime helicopter, the Westland Super Lynx 300, should be replaced by the cheaper Seasprite. Kaman would like to propose either a refurbished SH...
Sea choppers to cost R800m
Acquisitions
The government could spend more than R800 million on four new maritime patrol helicopters in addition to the country's R30 billion arms procurement package, a source close to the deal said at the weekend.Another option might be to ditch GKN Westl...
MPA Choice for SAAF
Acquisitions
The SAAF has begun studies to determine its options to replace the elderly C-47TP Dakotas currently used in the maritime patrol role. Prices for surplus US Navy P-3B Orions have been provided, and negotiations have also been held with the Netherlands...
SAAF to acquire new presidential jet?
Acquisitions
The SAAF is currently drawing up the requirements for a new presidential jet to replace the Flacon 900 which recently broke-down in the UK, leaving President Thabo Mbeki to hitch a lift to the US on another privately owned plane.The aircraft is belie...
SAAF Hawks to use more powerful Adour engines
Acquisitions
Rolls-Royce Turbomeca is to supply to a more powerful engine - the 6,500lb thrust Adour 951 - for the fleet of 24 BAE SYSTEMS Hawk 100 lead-in fighter trainer (LIFT) aircraft ordered by South Africa. The Adour 951 is the first production versio...
C-130 Update update
Acquisitions
The multi-billion rand refurbishing of the SA Air Force's C130 fleet is reportedly progressing well. The Afrikaans daily, Beeld, reports the programme is progressing well despite having been delayed for some months. The upgrade of the 12-strong f...
New Presidential jet?
Acquisitions
President Thabo Mbeki is to get a new official aircraft, despite heavy criticism of the move. The Afrikaans daily, Beeld, reports Armscor recently sent out tender documents to various aircraft suppliers asking for information. The closing date for th...
SAAF opts for Lightning targeting pod
Acquisitions
RAFAEL has signed a contract for supplying "LIGHTNING" optical attack systems for the new Gripen fighters purchased by the SAAF. British Aerospace has announced recently that it will purchase 12 LIGHTNING systems produced by RAFAEL in Israe...
