NEWS & EVENTS - GENERAL
5 May 2011
SAAF to hold Air Capability Demonstration
General
The South African Air Force will mark the return of the Rooivalk attack helicopter in style when it hosts an Air Capability Demonstration next week.
2 May 2011
Tenders awarded during April 2011
General
Armscor, the State arms procurement agency, issued a number of tenders and contracts relating to the SAAF during April 2011.
27 April 2011
ExecuJet gains airforce VIP business
General
Specialist aviation company ExecuJet Aviation Group has won a South African Air Force tender to provide two new VIP aircraft for ministerial use.
24 April 2011
Airforce changes VIP jet order
General
The Airforce has changed its mind and is to lease a Boeing BBJ and Global Express XRS instead.
13 April 2011
Gripen won't fly required hours
General
Air Force chief Lieutenant General Carlo Gagiano said on Wednesday that the air force could not afford to put its new Gripen jet fighters into flight for the required number of hours.
13 April 2011
Sisulu defends R800m VIP plane bill
General
Defence Minister Lindiwe Sisulu on Wednesday strenuously defended the R800m lease of VIP aircraft, saying using ageing planes risked a repeat of Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe's 2009 crash landing.
10 April 2011
SAAF takes delivery of three more Gripens
General
The SAAF received an additional three new Gripen C fighter aircraft today.
8 April 2011
Air force wanted to buy six VIP jets
General
The business jet bought for the use of former president Mbeki in 2001 is not good enough for President Zuma, a confidential memorandum obtained by the Mail & Guardian claims.
4 April 2011
Tenders awarded during March 2011
General
Armscor, the State arms procurement agency, issued a number of tenders and contracts relating to the SAAF during March 2011.
3 April 2011
SAAF to acquire two Embraer VIP transports
General
Government VIPs will soon be jetting around the country in two new luxury jets.
1 April 2011
Military to start own airline
General
The SAAF is finalising plans to enter the commercial airline scene, where it feels that there is still space for a niche-operator.
1 April 2011
First five Rooivalk now in service
General
The first five Denel Aviation Rooivalk Mark 1 combat support helicopters are now in service with 16 Squadron of the SAAF.
1 April 2011
South African Rooivalk Handed Over to SAAF
General
The upgraded Rooivalk combat support helicopter has been handed over to the South African Air Force for operational duties.
25 March 2011
New pilots reach for the sky
General
There are not many days more important to a pilot than the receipt of their Wings. For seventeen young men and women, the Parade held on 24 March at AFB Langebaanweg will forever be in their hearts.
25 March 2011
New Silver Falcons team on display
General
The first official display of Team 71 took place at the Wings Parade held at AFB Langebaanweg yesterday.
24 March 2011
SAAF commences Project Kamas
General
Work has begun to fit the Denel Dynamics A-Darter 5th generation short-range air-to-air missile to the Hawk lead-in fighter trainer.
24 March 2011
BAE Systems Enhances Capability of South Africa Hawk
General
BAE Systems has completed work to upgrade the navigation and weapons system for the SAAF's fleet of Hawk jet trainers, with work to fit the new system now underway.
23 March 2011
Calling Mach Plus Club members
General
When the SA Air Force's Mach Plus club meets on April 1 at AFB Swartkop it will be a more than memorable occasion.
23 March 2011
Tourists spot SA activity off Pemba
General
Tourists have over the last month reported substantial South African military activity onshore and offshore of Pemba in northern Mozambique; and sources suggest this may be the beginning of Operation Hopper.
18 March 2011
Ysterplaat key to tackling poaching, pollution and piracy threats
General
AFB Ysterplaat, in Cape Town, is one of the most important air bases in South Africa.
16 March 2011
Hawk training hits new snag
General
By Dean Wingrin The training of new airforce fighter pilots may not be negatively impacted by problems experienced with the Hawk jet trainer. It is understood that the fleet of South African Air Force BAE Systems Hawk Mk 120 Lead In Fighter T...
9 March 2011
Trainee pilot dies after flight
General
A trainee pilot collapsed and died after a flight in a Hawk at the Makhado air base in Limpopo on Tuesday afternoon.
9 March 2011
Hawk pilot named
General
The name of the pilot who collapsed and died after safely landing his Hawk has been released.
7 March 2011
Air Force to miss 2015 upgrade deadline?
General
Analysis of defence expenditure indicates that the SAAF seems set to miss its 2015/16 deadline to replace its venerable fleet of medium transports.
5 March 2011
Swellendam sets standard for airshow season
General
The skies above the small town of Swellendam in the picturesque Overberg region came alive over the weekend of 4 - 6 March.
SAAF to hold Air Capability Demonstration
General
The South African Air Force will mark the return of the Rooivalk attack helicopter in style when it hosts an Air Capability Demonstration next week.
Tenders awarded during April 2011
General
Armscor, the State arms procurement agency, issued a number of tenders and contracts relating to the SAAF during April 2011.
ExecuJet gains airforce VIP business
General
Specialist aviation company ExecuJet Aviation Group has won a South African Air Force tender to provide two new VIP aircraft for ministerial use.
Airforce changes VIP jet order
General
The Airforce has changed its mind and is to lease a Boeing BBJ and Global Express XRS instead.
Gripen won't fly required hours
General
Air Force chief Lieutenant General Carlo Gagiano said on Wednesday that the air force could not afford to put its new Gripen jet fighters into flight for the required number of hours.
Sisulu defends R800m VIP plane bill
General
Defence Minister Lindiwe Sisulu on Wednesday strenuously defended the R800m lease of VIP aircraft, saying using ageing planes risked a repeat of Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe's 2009 crash landing.
SAAF takes delivery of three more Gripens
General
The SAAF received an additional three new Gripen C fighter aircraft today.
Air force wanted to buy six VIP jets
General
The business jet bought for the use of former president Mbeki in 2001 is not good enough for President Zuma, a confidential memorandum obtained by the Mail & Guardian claims.
Tenders awarded during March 2011
General
Armscor, the State arms procurement agency, issued a number of tenders and contracts relating to the SAAF during March 2011.
SAAF to acquire two Embraer VIP transports
General
Government VIPs will soon be jetting around the country in two new luxury jets.
Military to start own airline
General
The SAAF is finalising plans to enter the commercial airline scene, where it feels that there is still space for a niche-operator.
First five Rooivalk now in service
General
The first five Denel Aviation Rooivalk Mark 1 combat support helicopters are now in service with 16 Squadron of the SAAF.
South African Rooivalk Handed Over to SAAF
General
The upgraded Rooivalk combat support helicopter has been handed over to the South African Air Force for operational duties.
New pilots reach for the sky
General
There are not many days more important to a pilot than the receipt of their Wings. For seventeen young men and women, the Parade held on 24 March at AFB Langebaanweg will forever be in their hearts.
New Silver Falcons team on display
General
The first official display of Team 71 took place at the Wings Parade held at AFB Langebaanweg yesterday.
SAAF commences Project Kamas
General
Work has begun to fit the Denel Dynamics A-Darter 5th generation short-range air-to-air missile to the Hawk lead-in fighter trainer.
BAE Systems Enhances Capability of South Africa Hawk
General
BAE Systems has completed work to upgrade the navigation and weapons system for the SAAF's fleet of Hawk jet trainers, with work to fit the new system now underway.
Calling Mach Plus Club members
General
When the SA Air Force's Mach Plus club meets on April 1 at AFB Swartkop it will be a more than memorable occasion.
Tourists spot SA activity off Pemba
General
Tourists have over the last month reported substantial South African military activity onshore and offshore of Pemba in northern Mozambique; and sources suggest this may be the beginning of Operation Hopper.
Ysterplaat key to tackling poaching, pollution and piracy threats
General
AFB Ysterplaat, in Cape Town, is one of the most important air bases in South Africa.
Hawk training hits new snag
General
By Dean Wingrin The training of new airforce fighter pilots may not be negatively impacted by problems experienced with the Hawk jet trainer. It is understood that the fleet of South African Air Force BAE Systems Hawk Mk 120 Lead In Fighter T...
Trainee pilot dies after flight
General
A trainee pilot collapsed and died after a flight in a Hawk at the Makhado air base in Limpopo on Tuesday afternoon.
Hawk pilot named
General
The name of the pilot who collapsed and died after safely landing his Hawk has been released.
Air Force to miss 2015 upgrade deadline?
General
Analysis of defence expenditure indicates that the SAAF seems set to miss its 2015/16 deadline to replace its venerable fleet of medium transports.
Swellendam sets standard for airshow season
General
The skies above the small town of Swellendam in the picturesque Overberg region came alive over the weekend of 4 - 6 March.
