South African Air Force/Suid-Afrikaanse Lugmag

[Hellfish]

The South African Air Force (SAAF), or Suid-Afrikaanse Lugmag (SALM), was formed in 1920 when the United Kingdom donated 100 aircraft to South Africa ("The Imperial Gift") like they did to each of Britain's Dominions. Nowadays the SAAF is at the beginning of a new era. Although budget-restrictions have limited the purchases, the SAAF has ordered 28 Gripens (delivery due to start from 2007), 24 Hawks Mk120 (delivery from 2003) and thirty A109LUH. Until that that time the SAAF has to use the Cheetah C and D as a frontline fighter.

In the early nineties the SAAF started a reorganisation program ("Rationalisation") during which several types were withdrawn from use. Among them were the Harvard, the Canberra and the Super Frelon. Besides that, the bases Pietersburg, Port Elizabeth and Potchefstroom were closed. The nineties also saw the introduction of a some new types whitin the SAAF. For example, the first Denel built Rooivalk was delivered to 16sq in 1999.

Nowadays the SAAF has only one figher squadron (2sq), based at Louis Trichardt. This squadron will receive the first Gripens in 2007 and gradually phase out there Cheetah C and Cheetat D aircraft. 16sq was disbanded in 1990 with the closing of Port Elisabeth but was recently re-activated with the delivery of the first production Rooivalk, and was relocated to Bloemspruit. In 2003 it was announced that the SAAF ordered four Super Lynx 300 in Maritime configuration, to be built by Westland in Yeovil (UK). The first BAe built Hawk Mk120 was delivered in november 2003 to the TFDC for evaluation purposes. All remaining Hawks will be assembled in South Africa.

After the elections in 1994 the former Homelands ("thuislanden") became part of South Africa and the aircraft of the Defense forces of Bophuthatswana, Ciskei and Venda were added to the SAAF inventory. The SAAF still suffers from budget-cuts and SAAF-pilots have trouble keeping up their flying hours.

A special part of the SAAF is the SAAF Museum. This has his homebase at the former Swartkop AB and has the goal to preserve former SAAF aircraft. Besides that, the Museum tries to keep several aircraft flying. The Museum has many depots in the country and the airworthy Mirage 3's and Mirage F1AZ are based at Hoedspruit and maintained by the 85 Combat Flying School.
http://www.af.mil.za/fpage_pics/08112005.jpg

Chief of the Air Force, Lieutenant General Carlo Gagiano
in Sweden with the SAAF's first Gripen

http://www.saairforce.co.za/gallery/pic15s.jpg

Grippens over Robben Island

http://www.saairforce.co.za/gallery/pic16s.jpg

Grippen (in Swedish markings) to replace Cheetah and Mirage F.1CZ/AZ

http://www.scramble.nl/mil/1/saaf/gfx/cheetah1.jpg

http://www.scramble.nl/mil/1/saaf/gfx/cheetah2.jpg

Cheetah D

http://www.saafmuseum.co.za/cheetah1235.jpg

http://www.saafmuseum.co.za/cheetah1234.jpg

http://www.saafmuseum.co.za/cheetah%201.jpg

http://www.saafmuseum.co.za/cheetah%20spot.jpg

http://www.saafmuseum.co.za/cheetah370.jpg


http://www.scramble.nl/mil/1/saaf/gfx/cheetah3.jpg

Cheetah (modernized Mirage III very similar to Israeli Kfir). Recently retired.

http://www.saafmuseum.co.za/mirage%20L_%20Trich.jpg

http://www.saafmuseum.co.za/Mirageiiibzflag.jpg

Mirage III/IIIEZ/IIICZ

http://www.dooley.co.za/f1_cz_7_1.jpg

http://www.airforce-technology.com/contractor_images/ate/1_mirage-f1.jpg



Mirage F.1CZ

http://www.airforce-technology.com/contractor_images/ate/3_hawk.jpg

Hawk 120 - replaces Impala as light strike/trainer



http://www.saafmuseum.co.za/bucc.jpg

Buccanneer - now provides jet aircraft adventures for civillians at Cape Town.

http://www.saafmuseum.co.za/canberra%20Swartkops.jpg

Canberra

http://www.saafmuseum.co.za/vamph.jpg

Vampire

http://www.saafmuseum.co.za/sabre1Wklf.jpg

http://www.saafmuseum.co.za/sabre1.jpg

Sabre (flew in Korean War with No. 2 Squadron, the "Flying Cheetahs")

http://www.saafmuseum.co.za/mustang_2.jpg

Mustangs - note Commonwealth-type roundel. Later transferred to the Dominican Republic Air Force, where they remained in service until the 1980s.







http://www.scramble.nl/databases/mildb/gfx/saaf1.jpg

http://www.scramble.nl/mil/1/saaf/gfx/oryx1.jpg

http://www.saairforce.co.za/gallery/pic11s.jpg

http://www.af.mil.za/news/2006/011/DSCF1431.JPG

Oryx (modernized/Africanized Puma)

http://www.scramble.nl/mil/1/saaf/gfx/c47tp.jpg

http://www.saairforce.co.za/gallery/pic4s.jpg

C-47 - some are still in service.

http://www.scramble.nl/mil/1/saaf/gfx/impala3.jpg

Impala II (licensed copy of Italian MB-332)

http://www.saairforce.co.za/gallery/pic1s.jpg

Rooivalk (Red Hawk)

http://www.saafmuseum.co.za/allouette%201-.jpg

http://www.saafmuseum.co.za/allouette-.jpg

Alouette III - now being retired and replace by BK117s

http://www.fly-net.org/aeromedia/luhdenel.jpg

A109 (new acquisitions)



http://www.saairforce.co.za/gallery/pic8s.jpg

C-130B

http://www.saairforce.co.za/gallery/pic9s.jpg

http://www.saafmuseum.co.za/transallswkp.jpg

C-160. Recently retired.

http://www.saafmuseum.co.za/csShack.jpg

Shackleton - retired but kept in flying condition. "10,000 loose rivets flying in close formation".

http://www.airforce-technology.com/contractor_images/ate/5_vulture-system.jpg

Vulture UAV


http://www.grids.co.za/prodDpics/pic4_large.jpg

Air Defense Concept

http://www.saafmuseum.co.za/
http://www.saairforce.co.za/
http://www.scramble.nl/za.htm

[Greek soldier]

Hellfish, it is "Gripen"!!!

[Hellfish]

More Rooivalks because I imagine they shockra your chakra as much as they do mine. p-)

http://www.gpsa.co.za/gallery/as/rooivalk.jpg

http://www.af.mil.za/equip/aircraft/Rooivalk.jpg

http://www.army-technology.com/projects/rooivalk/images/rooivalk2.jpg

http://www.army-technology.com/projects/rooivalk/images/rooivalk1.jpg

http://www.army-technology.com/projects/rooivalk/images/rooivalk5.jpg

http://www.army-technology.com/projects/rooivalk/images/rooivalk3.jpg

http://www.army-technology.com/projects/rooivalk/images/rooivalk7.jpg

http://www.army-technology.com/projects/rooivalk/images/rooivalk9.jpg

http://www.army-technology.com/projects/rooivalk/images/rooivalk8.jpg

http://www.lasertronics.co.za/Rooivalk%20landing.jpghttp://www.lasertronics.co.za/Rooivalk%20front.jpghttp://www.poynting.co.za/consulting/images/proj_rooivalk3.jpghttp://www.krooninfo.co.za/150/img/2005_tattoo_rooivalk_01_600x400.jpghttp://www.sa-transport.co.za/aircraft/military/denel_rooivalks_saaf_pg.JPG

[Hellfish]

Hellfish, it is "Gripen"!!!

I don't speak in Swedishese. In my language it is "Grippen", but in English it probably means that I made a typo. :oops:

[G-Capo]

Nice images!.I just love the South African Air Force.

Any more on the Gripens?

[Greek soldier]

In English it is Griffin, in French Griffon, in Svenska Gripen... In Greek Grypas (Γρύπας)

[Hellfish]

In English it is Griffin, in French Griffon, in Svenska Gripen... In Greek Grypas (Γρύπας)

Stop correcting me - nobody can correct me in Hellfishese because I made the stupid language up. If it's Grippen, it's a Grippen. Besides, it was a typo. ;)

[Ironsight06]

Some images courtesy of Gripen.com


More Gripen's:

http://www.gripen.com/images/200.86359107460425368000612/_DSC1395.jpg

http://www.gripen.com/images/200.86359107460425368000616/_DSC1270.jpg

http://www.gripen.com/images/200.86359107460425368000620/733D3625.jpg

http://www.gripen.com/images/200.86359107460425368000594/85EW2775.jpg

Non South African Gripen's refueling at a South African Boeing tanker:

http://www.gripen.com/images/200.10948cf10331003a2d8000152/DK053827.jpg

http://www.gripen.com/images/200.10948cf10331003a2d8000124/108_0876.jpg

[mountainbear]

Nice pics, thanks!:)
When and why did the SAAF change its ensign?
Old one:
http://www.dooley.co.za/f1_cz_7_1.jpg
New one?
http://www.airforce-technology.com/contractor_images/ate/3_hawk.jpg
http://www.gripen.com/images/200.10948cf10331003a2d8000124/108_0876.jpg

[Hellfish]

Probably because of the apartheit era symbolism. Granted, there's nothing overtly racist about an impala above the Cape Castle, but it was a symbol of the SADF, not SANDF.

[isotsha]

Boet, you forgot one plane that has so much history in SAAF.

[Tolstoy]

Hate to resurrect the thread, but to answer mountain's question. The earlier logo was focused around what we call the "springbok" or "jumping buck" in english :), back before 1994 it was central to our coat of arms. The new logo is supposed to be that of a Phoenix ( at least I think a phoenix, might be a crane or something :p), which adorns our new Coat of Arms. Nothing really to do with racism, just updating with the times, that's all. Nothing better than change and all that :)http://www.dwaf.gov.za/Communications/Coat%20of%20Arms/coatofarms.gif

[Hellfish]

Thanks for the info. :)

[flanker7]

http://www.af.mil.za/equip/aircraft/Rooivalk.jpg


Perhaps someone could provide me some info on this picture?
Behind the Rooivalk there seems to be a US HSV(?) with a Puma helicopter on it. My question is this, some years ago the USN "hired" the servises of some civilian company that flies Pumas to use them for VERTREP. At least thats is what I read. Does it still use them or have they completely been replaced by the CH-60?

[baboon6]

I think they are still using the civvie Pumas, because there was a photo on this forum in a Today's Pics thread recently showing one of them delivering supplies to a USN ship.

[ElHombre]

http://www.saafmuseum.co.za/mustang_2.jpg

by any chance, does anyone know if this was a p-51D or K model?

[Hellfish]

I wanna say it's an F-51D. I have a book at home, I'll check to make sure.

[kilroy1911]

how many rooivalks are in service??

sorry for being a little bit offtopic: what about south african armored units? is there som develompent in TTD project... it was some kind of Tank Technology Demonstrator... a project to create a tank to replave aging Olifants (Centurions)

I know that SA make a lot of wheeled armored vehicles - ratel etc... is there aby website with some data on all these (sometimes very strange) vehicles??

[Hellfish]

how many rooivalks are in service??

sorry for being a little bit offtopic: what about south african armored units? is there som develompent in TTD project... it was some kind of Tank Technology Demonstrator... a project to create a tank to replave aging Olifants (Centurions)

I know that SA make a lot of wheeled armored vehicles - ratel etc... is there aby website with some data on all these (sometimes very strange) vehicles??

There are, I think, 12 Rooivalks in service with 16 Squadron.

Last I heard the TTD project was cancelled and South Africa was shopping for a new tank - the LeClerc, T-90 and Challenger 2 were the ones in the running, as I understand it. Don't expect a purchase anytime soon, though, as there's not much of a need for it in SA and probably not enough money for it.

Here's a good overview of the Ratels:

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/rsa/ratel.htm

[Greek soldier]

The Leopard 2A6 is out from the contest??

[Hellfish]

I don't know that it was even considered, honestly. I haven't come across any mentions of it. Same with the M-1, OPLOT, or any indigenous design.

[Resurrection]

Wow awesome pics Hellfish. Here are some more of the Gripen:


http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/2921/dsc14313bf.th.jpg (http://img265.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc14313bf.jpg)

http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/9494/dsc14738fv.th.jpg (http://img51.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc14738fv.jpg)

http://img344.imageshack.us/img344/681/africangripen2py.th.jpg (http://img344.imageshack.us/my.php?image=africangripen2py.jpg)
Swedish Gripen flying in South Africa, note the beautiful landscape :)

http://img277.imageshack.us/img277/3594/saabgripensouthafrica4do.th.jpg (http://img277.imageshack.us/my.php?image=saabgripensouthafrica4do.jpg)
Same thing here

[kilroy1911]

I don't know that it was even considered, honestly. I haven't come across any mentions of it. Same with the M-1, OPLOT, or any indigenous design.


what is OPLOT??

[Resurrection]

what is OPLOT??

A main battle tank.

http://www.morozov.com.ua/eng/body/t84.php?menu=history4.php

[fantassin]

Why did they choose to modernize the Mirage III and not the Mirage F1 as the F1 was newer and more modern in design than the III ?

[Greek soldier]

Maybe because the SAAF had a close co-operation witht the Israelis and the Israeli Aircraft Industries (see Kfir C1 and Cheetak).

[Ironsight06]

Why did they choose to modernize the Mirage III and not the Mirage F1 as the F1 was newer and more modern in design than the III ?
They needed the F1's too much. There was no time to refurbish those since they were almost constantly active in the border war.


Last I heard the TTD project was cancelled and South Africa was shopping for a new tank - the LeClerc, T-90 and Challenger 2 were the ones in the running, as I understand it. Don't expect a purchase anytime soon, though, as there's not much of a need for it in SA and probably not enough money for it.

I heard somebody mentioning that they are looking for funds to buy surplus Leopard 2a5's. It was on a forum somewhere but I can't remember where and have no idea how reliable that info is. So for now consider this to be a rumor...

[JoaMei]

They needed the F1's too much. There was no time to refurbish those since they were almost constantly active in the border war.


I heard somebody mentioning that they are looking for funds to buy surplus Leopard 2a5's. It was on a forum somewhere but I can't remember where and have no idea how reliable that info is. So for now consider this to be a rumor...

That doesnt sound logical, because there are lots of surplus A4 but those which were upgraded to A5 will be upgraded to A6 so there should be no surplus.

[CrackmonkeY]

Last I heard the TTD project was cancelled and South Africa was shopping for a new tank - the LeClerc, T-90 and Challenger 2 were the ones in the running, as I understand it. Don't expect a purchase anytime soon, though, as there's not much of a need for it in SA and probably not enough money for it.


So what about the Olifant 2?

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/rsa/olifant-2.htm


(http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/rsa/olifant-2.htm)

[baboon6]

Maybe because the SAAF had a close co-operation witht the Israelis and the Israeli Aircraft Industries (see Kfir C1 and Cheetak).

The Cheetah is simply a Kfir without the American J79 engine.

[Hellfish]

The Olifant 2 project, IIRC. They've got Mk1Bs now and only a couple Mk2 prototypes. I might be wrong, though.

As for the Leopards, the Germans have pretty much sold all their surplus off - Poland, Chile and Greece got quite a few and, IIRC, Turkey is about to buy something like 300. I don't know if there are many more to go around. All the ones that Germany is keeping are being upgraded to the A6 standard, but not all of the surplus vehicles. I don't know if the Dutch and Swedes have sold off their surplus stocks yet.

[mountainbear]

Hate to resurrect the thread, but to answer mountain's question. The earlier logo was focused around what we call the "springbok" or "jumping buck" in english :), back before 1994 it was central to our coat of arms. The new logo is supposed to be that of a Phoenix ( at least I think a phoenix, might be a crane or something :p), which adorns our new Coat of Arms. Nothing really to do with racism, just updating with the times, that's all. Nothing better than change and all that :)http://www.dwaf.gov.za/Communications/Coat%20of%20Arms/coatofarms.gif


Haven’t realized that someone answered me.
Thanks.:D

Hellfish6

Sweden has both Strv 121 and Strv 122. The last one is a upgraded Leo 2a5 so I doubt they want to sell any, considering they only have 120. The Strv 121 is a Leo 2a4 so maybe these would be offered.

I think that an updated Olifant Mk1B with night capabilities and a panoramic commander sight would be a good solution.

[Hellfish]

Haven’t realized that someone answered me.
Thanks.:D

Hellfish6

Sweden has both Strv 121 and Strv 122. The last one is a upgraded Leo 2a5 so I doubt they want to sell any, considering they only have 120. The Strv 121 is a Leo 2a4 so maybe these would be offered.

I think that an updated Olifant Mk1B with night capabilities and a panoramic commander sight would be a good solution.

Yeah, I think Sweden is retiring the 121s, which were the original German build Leopards.

The Olifant is a good tank, but it's important to remember that it's a nearly 60 year old design and it's probably been about 50 years since South Africa's tanks were originally manufactured. I gotta believe maintenance is getting to be expensive and difficult, even if the tanks themselves have been refurbished and rebuilt. No tank is meant to be operational that long.

I don't know if South Africa needs a full blown battletank, though. There are no serious armored threats to them (Angola has T-72s, but they'd have to attack through Namibia to do anything, and that's damn near impossible for them) and the Cuban T-72s and T-62s are gone. A Leopard, Challenger 2 or T-90 would be great for the SANDF to have, but I don't think it would ever get any real use. I think the money might be better spent expanding the Rooikat fleet with the 105mm, 35mm cavalry and AT missile variants, all of which would be more useful than an MBT, IMHO, considering South Africa's geopolitical position.

[Resurrection]

Yup, AFAIK we're no longer training tank crews on the Strv 121, so they're pretty much retired or will be soon.

[sp2c]

The Netherlands has a surplus of 70 Leopard 2a4/5's (don't how much of them have been upgraded before the last insane round of budget cuts) 10 of those have been written off so there are 60 pieces for sale atm

high chance they'll go to Chile though since they've been buying everything we've been offering lately

[mountainbear]

Switzerland was going to sell its surplus leo 2a4 to Chile but the government decided to stop the negotiations. Officially they said it is because it would cost more than dismantling them here but the real reason is political. The left wing of the parliament doesn’t want to see ex Swiss army material serving elsewhere. The recent decision to sell surplus materials only to their country of origin clearly shows that it is political.

Hellfish6
You’re right the Rooikat with its long range is probably more adapted to the South-African situation. A 120mm version like the Centauro would be nice.

[Ironsight06]

Hellfish6
You’re right the Rooikat with its long range is probably more adapted to the South-African situation. A 120mm version like the Centauro would be nice. There's already a 105mm version of the Rooikat available for export but I don't think it will ever see service in the SANDF since the 76mm GT-4 gun is a better tank-killer:

The Rooikat 76mm 3-man combat turret is currently in production for and in service with the South African Army. Designed, developed, manufactured and supported by LIW, this turret is a class-leader in the combat-reconnaissance role. The turret sports a proprietary 62 calibre-length high-pressure 76mm GT-4 Tank Gun, firing a range of HE, PRAC and APFS-DS ammunition. With APFS-DS muzzle velocity in excess of 1600m/s, this weapon provides devastating tank killing performance.

[sa_bushwar]

For related material see my website at:www.geocities.com/sa_bushwar

[moby]

Check out my unofficial tribute to the PE SAAF Museum, its my hometown one.
http://www.sa-transport.co.za/aircraft/saaf/museum_index.html

And the PE Airshow
http://www.sa-transport.co.za/aircraft/airshows/pe/2006/airshow.html

[andrew_rsa]

Hate to resurrect the thread, but to answer mountain's question. The earlier logo was focused around what we call the "springbok" or "jumping buck" in english :), back before 1994 it was central to our coat of arms. The new logo is supposed to be that of a Phoenix ( at least I think a phoenix, might be a crane or something :p), which adorns our new Coat of Arms. Nothing really to do with racism, just updating with the times, that's all. Nothing better than change and all that :)http://www.dwaf.gov.za/Communications/Coat%20of%20Arms/coatofarms.gif

as far as i know it is most definately a crane.. that also being a symbol of our country

[wilhelm]

DC_3/ C-47 Turboprop maritme patrol.

Patrol speed: 161 knots (298km/h)
Range: 1390NM (2575km) Extendable to 2620NM (4800km) with additional fuel.
Sensors: Elta M-2022 search radar. FLIR, ESM, Sonobouy acoustic processor.

[wilhelm]

The Olifant is a good tank, but it's important to remember that it's a nearly 60 year old design and it's probably been about 50 years since South Africa's tanks were originally manufactured. I gotta believe maintenance is getting to be expensive and difficult, even if the tanks themselves have been refurbished and rebuilt. No tank is meant to be operational that long.



The latest Olifant shares almost no parts with the originally purchased Centurion. I've heard it said that even the wheels are not the originals! New turret, new gun, new transmission, new engine, new suspension (with greater wheel movement) , new interior, new drivers station, new fire control, new gun, new sideskirts, new armour modules, new double armoured belly, new fire suppression etc...etc. About the only thing that looks the same is the type of track! But then the Israelis deem the original tracks good enough for their Merkava's...

Basically a new tank whose original design point was the Centurion.

[Hawk of prairie]

Glad to see South African Airforce:)

[moby]

We have one dak in PE that is still used for maritime patrol, and I guess there are others, will have to check on that.

[wilhelm]

There are some in Cape Town.

[BeetleCrusher]

as far as i know it is most definately a crane.. that also being a symbol of our country
It is actually the Secretary Bird Sagittarius serpentarius. That now adorns the SA Coat of arms. Some call it the Nando's Flattie. :-)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secretary_Bird
http://www.dwaf.gov.za/Communications/Coat%20of%20Arms/coatofarms.htm

Hope that clears up the confusion with Cranes. :-)

[BeetleCrusher]

DC_3/ C-47 Turboprop maritme patrol.

Patrol speed: 161 knots (298km/h)
Range: 1390NM (2575km) Extendable to 2620NM (4800km) with additional fuel.
Sensors: Elta M-2022 search radar. FLIR, ESM, Sonobouy acoustic processor.
The Dak has now after 70 years? (not sure when they entered service) now found the proper power plant. From what I have read they have sorted out a lot of the vibration problems with the Turbo engines and pilots flying the TD are very happy with the new engines as well as the improved handling it brings. It is said that some of these C-47 airframes will still be able to fly in the next century! That is how well built they are. I dont know how well the Russian version was built though... :-)