NEWS & EVENTS - GENERAL
2 October 2012
SAAF’s shortcomings not insurmountable " Gagiano
General
The SAAF has shortcomings, but they are not insurmountable and the service is still very healthy, according to former SAAF chief Lieutenant General Carlo Gagiano.
1 October 2012
Gagiano hands over command of SAAF
General
Lt Gen Carlo Gagiano has handed over command of the SAAF to Lt Gen “Zakes” Fabian Zimpande Msimang, during an impressive ceremony at Swartkop Air Force Base on Friday.
28 September 2012
Tribute to the Chief
General
As a tribute to the outgoing CAF, he was flown to AFB Waterkloof during the AAD airshow on Sunday as part of a two-ship Vampire formation.
27 September 2012
Final Gripens arrive in South Africa
General
The final four Gripen C fighters destined for the South African Air Force have arrived in Cape Town and are making their way to their new home at AFB Makhado.
25 September 2012
AgustaWestland signs support contract for AW109LUH fleet
General
AgustaWestland has signed a comprehensive service support contract for the South African Air Force’s fleet of AW109LUH helicopters.
21 September 2012
Surplus military aircraft for sale
General
Various utility and pilot training aircraft that are no longer required by the SAAF are in the process of being disposed of.
20 September 2012
Saab still keen on SA Gripen fighter school
General
Saab is still keen to establish the Gripen Fighter Weapon School in South Africa, despite a less than enthusiastic response from the SANDF.
20 September 2012
Gripen program update
General
Although the final four of 26 Gripen fighters ordered by the SAAF are due for delivery this week, it is not the end of Gripen development efforts in South Africa.
19 September 2012
Ten Rooivalk combat helicopters now ready for operations
General
Two more upgraded and operation-ready Rooivalk helicopters have been added to the South African Air Force by Denel Aviation, earlier this month.
18 September 2012
SAAF unveils C-47TP in Silver Falcons colour scheme
General
The SAAF yesterday unveiled a C-47TP painted in Silver Falcons Aerobatic Team colours.
12 September 2012
South African Air Force enjoys fruits of modernisation but challenges remain
General
The modern SAAF is a very different organisation from the apartheid era, with the focus changed from border defence to a wider role in peace-keeping and other interventions on the continent.
11 September 2012
Brazil offers retired Hercules transports to South Africa
General
Brazil has offered four surplus Lockheed Hercules four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft to the South African Air Force
7 September 2012
Artisan training a top priority for the SA Air Force
General
On 22 August 2012, 68 Air School hosted a reclassification, commission and passing out parade of the SA Air Force’s newly qualified artisans.
31 August 2012
Final Gripen fighters to be delivered in September
General
The final four Gripen fighter jets purchased by South Africa are being prepared for arrival in South African in mid-September.
28 August 2012
Defence, finance ministers to meet on VVIP aircraft
General
The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans is set to meet her finance colleague soon to start a new acquisition process for a new “VVIP” fleet.
21 August 2012
SAAF conducts costly VIP flights
General
The South African Air Force has conducted 362 flights using its helicopters to transport VIPs since 2009, costing R45 531 228.6, according to information contained in a reply to a parliamentary question.
20 July 2012
Denel in fresh talks on military aircraft deal
General
Denel is renegotiating the country’s purchase of Airbus A400M carriers after the collapse of an earlier contract for the aircraft.
18 July 2012
SANDF denies knowledge of Gripen fighter school
General
The SANDF says it has no plans to partner with defence company Saab to establish a Gripen Fighter Weapon School at AFB Overberg.
18 July 2012
SAAF plagued by ill-discipline
General
The SAAF has acknowledged that there is "rampant ill-discipline among members of the SAAF at most of the bases."
18 July 2012
Exercise Winter Solstice approaches
General
The SAAF will on Friday kick off its annual operational readiness exercise, Winter Solstice 2012, in the North West Province.
10 July 2012
Saab to open Gripen Fighter Weapon School in South Africa
General
Saab is to invest in an advanced training centre for experienced fighter pilots at Air Force Base Overberg in the southern Cape.
6 July 2012
SAAF readies for Winter Solstice
General
The SAAF is preparing to conduct an airspace security exercise in order to run through doctrine regarding airspace security and border patrolling.
6 July 2012
Planned presidential jet purchase halted
General
The proposed R2bn purchase of a new Boeing 777 jet for President Jacob Zuma will not go ahead, Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula says.
2 July 2012
Sisulu advises postponement of VIP jet procurement
General
Former Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Lindiwe Sisulu has advised the Secretary for Defence to suspend the process of purchasing new VIP aircraft until he had received the necessary direction from the new defence minister.
29 June 2012
Dept not commenting on Zuma jet reports
General
The department of defence declined to comment on Friday on reports that it was finalising the purchase of a luxury VIP jet for President Jacob Zuma.
SAAF’s shortcomings not insurmountable " Gagiano
General
The SAAF has shortcomings, but they are not insurmountable and the service is still very healthy, according to former SAAF chief Lieutenant General Carlo Gagiano.
Gagiano hands over command of SAAF
General
Lt Gen Carlo Gagiano has handed over command of the SAAF to Lt Gen “Zakes” Fabian Zimpande Msimang, during an impressive ceremony at Swartkop Air Force Base on Friday.
Tribute to the Chief
General
As a tribute to the outgoing CAF, he was flown to AFB Waterkloof during the AAD airshow on Sunday as part of a two-ship Vampire formation.
Final Gripens arrive in South Africa
General
The final four Gripen C fighters destined for the South African Air Force have arrived in Cape Town and are making their way to their new home at AFB Makhado.
AgustaWestland signs support contract for AW109LUH fleet
General
AgustaWestland has signed a comprehensive service support contract for the South African Air Force’s fleet of AW109LUH helicopters.
Surplus military aircraft for sale
General
Various utility and pilot training aircraft that are no longer required by the SAAF are in the process of being disposed of.
Saab still keen on SA Gripen fighter school
General
Saab is still keen to establish the Gripen Fighter Weapon School in South Africa, despite a less than enthusiastic response from the SANDF.
Gripen program update
General
Although the final four of 26 Gripen fighters ordered by the SAAF are due for delivery this week, it is not the end of Gripen development efforts in South Africa.
Ten Rooivalk combat helicopters now ready for operations
General
Two more upgraded and operation-ready Rooivalk helicopters have been added to the South African Air Force by Denel Aviation, earlier this month.
SAAF unveils C-47TP in Silver Falcons colour scheme
General
The SAAF yesterday unveiled a C-47TP painted in Silver Falcons Aerobatic Team colours.
South African Air Force enjoys fruits of modernisation but challenges remain
General
The modern SAAF is a very different organisation from the apartheid era, with the focus changed from border defence to a wider role in peace-keeping and other interventions on the continent.
Brazil offers retired Hercules transports to South Africa
General
Brazil has offered four surplus Lockheed Hercules four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft to the South African Air Force
Artisan training a top priority for the SA Air Force
General
On 22 August 2012, 68 Air School hosted a reclassification, commission and passing out parade of the SA Air Force’s newly qualified artisans.
Final Gripen fighters to be delivered in September
General
The final four Gripen fighter jets purchased by South Africa are being prepared for arrival in South African in mid-September.
Defence, finance ministers to meet on VVIP aircraft
General
The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans is set to meet her finance colleague soon to start a new acquisition process for a new “VVIP” fleet.
SAAF conducts costly VIP flights
General
The South African Air Force has conducted 362 flights using its helicopters to transport VIPs since 2009, costing R45 531 228.6, according to information contained in a reply to a parliamentary question.
Denel in fresh talks on military aircraft deal
General
Denel is renegotiating the country’s purchase of Airbus A400M carriers after the collapse of an earlier contract for the aircraft.
SANDF denies knowledge of Gripen fighter school
General
The SANDF says it has no plans to partner with defence company Saab to establish a Gripen Fighter Weapon School at AFB Overberg.
SAAF plagued by ill-discipline
General
The SAAF has acknowledged that there is "rampant ill-discipline among members of the SAAF at most of the bases."
Exercise Winter Solstice approaches
General
The SAAF will on Friday kick off its annual operational readiness exercise, Winter Solstice 2012, in the North West Province.
Saab to open Gripen Fighter Weapon School in South Africa
General
Saab is to invest in an advanced training centre for experienced fighter pilots at Air Force Base Overberg in the southern Cape.
SAAF readies for Winter Solstice
General
The SAAF is preparing to conduct an airspace security exercise in order to run through doctrine regarding airspace security and border patrolling.
Planned presidential jet purchase halted
General
The proposed R2bn purchase of a new Boeing 777 jet for President Jacob Zuma will not go ahead, Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula says.
Sisulu advises postponement of VIP jet procurement
General
Former Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Lindiwe Sisulu has advised the Secretary for Defence to suspend the process of purchasing new VIP aircraft until he had received the necessary direction from the new defence minister.
Dept not commenting on Zuma jet reports
General
The department of defence declined to comment on Friday on reports that it was finalising the purchase of a luxury VIP jet for President Jacob Zuma.
