South African Air Force

The South African Air Force (SAAF) is the air force of South Africa, with headquarters in Pretoria. The South African Air Force was established on February 1^st, 1920. The Air Force has seen service in World War II and the Korean War. From 1966 the SAAF was involved in providing infantry support in a low intensity war ("The Border War") in Angola, South West Africa (now Namibia) and Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). As the war progressed, the intensity of air operations increased until in the late 1980s, the SAAF were compelled to fly fighter missions against Angolan aircraft in order to maintain tactical air superiority. On conclusion of the Border War in 1990, aircraft numbers were severely reduced due to economic pressures as well as the cessation of hostilities with neighboring states. Today the SAAF has a limited air combat capability and has been structured towards regional peace-keeping, disaster relief and maritime patrol operations.

Aircraft Inventory[edit | edit source]

Combat Aircraft[edit | edit source]

BAe Systems Hawk Mk.120 x 24 (Light Attack Aircraft)
Saab JAS 39C Gripen x 36 (Multirole Fighter)

Electronic Warfare[edit | edit source]

ATR E-72SA x 2 (Electronic Warfare Aircraft)
Cessna 208 Caravan x 2 (Radar Jamming Aircraft)

Transport Aircraft[edit | edit source]

ATR C-72 x 10 (Transport Aircraft)
Airbus A400M Atlas x 8 Tactical Transport)
Beechcraft Super King Air 200/300 x 4 (Utility/Transport)
Boeing 737 x 2 (VIP Transport)
Boeing C-17 Globemaster III x 4 (Strategic Transport)
CASA C-212 Aviocar x 2 (Utility/Transport)
Cessna 208B Caravan x 8 (Utility/Transport)
Cessna Citation II x 2 (VIP Transport)
Dassault Falcon 50 x 2 (VIP Transport)
Dassault Falcon 900 x 2 (VIP Transport)
Lockheed C-130BZ Hercules x 9 (Tactical Transport)
Pilatus PC-12NG x 2 (Utility/Transport)

Helicopters[edit | edit source]

Agusta A109 LUH x 60 (Utility Helicopter)
Atlas Oryx Mk.II x 44 (Utility Helicopter)
Denel Rooivalk Mk.II x 16 (Attack Helicopter)
MBB/Kawasaki BK-117 x 6 (Utility Helicopter)

Trainer Aircraft[edit | edit source]

BAe Systems Hawk Mk.120 x 24 (Advanced Trainer)
Pilatus PC-7 Mk.II x 36 (Primary Trainer)
Saab JAS 39D Gripen x 12 (Conversion Trainer)