List of aircraft of the South African Air Force

Ensign of the South African Air Force

The South African Air Force (SAAF) has operated a wide range of aircraft since its establishment in 1920. The fleet's core capabilities are built around its fighter, transport, maritime patrol, helicopter, and training aircraft. Key operational types include the JAS 39 Gripen, BAE Hawk, C-130 Hercules, Oryx and AW109 helicopter fleets, supported by various light transport, liaison, and VIP airframes.

Historically, the SAAF operated one of the largest and most capable fighter fleets in the Southern Hemisphere. Notable past aircraft include the 68 Atlas Cheetahs—South Africa's indigenous modernised variant of the Mirage III—and the 48 Mirage F1s, both of which formed the backbone of the country's air combat capability from the late 1970s through the early 2000s. Earlier eras also saw extensive fleets of Mirage III variants, Impalas, Sabres, Buccaneers, and Canberras.

The following is a list of current and historic aircraft of the South African Air Force.

Current aircraft

The South African Air Force operates a diverse mix of fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. Fleet total refers to the number of airframes that remain in the SAAF inventory, while in service refers to those that are currently operational or can be made airworthy. Aircraft listed as not in service include airframes of the same type that have been placed in long-term storage pending possible reactivation or sale, or airframes that were damaged in accidents but remain in inventory awaiting repair or disposal. The SAAF's current aircraft holdings are as follows:

• Aircraft (As per November 2025):
  • Fleet total: 275
  • In service: 199
  • On order: 5

Fixed-wing aircraft

Aircraft	Image	Origin	Type	Introduced	Fleet total	In service	Notes
JAS 39C/D Gripen		Sweden	Multi-role fighter	2008	26 [1]	25 [1]	Service:17 Gripen C and 9 Gripen D taken into service between 2008 and 2012, with one C variant written off and taken out of service following an accident in 2021 during maintenance. [2]
BAE Hawk Mk.120		United Kingdom	Lead-in fighter and advanced trainer	2006	24 [1]	22 [1]	Service:24 taken into service between 2006 and 2008, with two aircraft taken out of service amid safety concerns following light accidents.
Pilatus PC-7		Switzerland	Primary trainer	1994 (Mk I) 2010 (Mk II)	60 [3]	35 [1]	Service:Only 35 upgraded PC-7 Mk II Astra variants are in service, 25 older PC-7 Mk I variants are held in long-term storage due to limited pilot training.
Lockheed C-130BZ Hercules		United States	Medium tactical airlifter	1963	7 [4]	6 [1]	Service:Initially 9 C-130B taken into service and upgraded to BZ-standard in the late 1990s as part of Project Ebb. [5] Two aircraft have been lost following crashes, with another cannibalised for parts. [4]
CASA C-212 Aviocar		Spain	Light tactical airlifter	1994	4 [6]	3 [1]	Service:Inherited in 1994 from the air wings of the former Transkei (2) and Venda (2) defence forces.
Douglas C-47-TP Turbo Dakota		United States	Naval patrol aircraft	1943	39 [7]	5 [1]	Service:Initially 47 taken into service, following the end of the Border War, the number of squadrons operating the Dakota was reduced, along with the disposal of some airframes. Some remaining 39 aircraft were modernised and converted in the 1990s with new PT6A Turboprop engines and modern avionics as part of Project Felstone.
Cessna 208 Caravan		United States	Signals intelligence aircraft	1988	8 [1]	8 [1]	Service:Initially 12 aircraft were taken into service. 11 airframes were converted and fitted with a Argos 410-Z day/night reconnaissance system as part of Project Koiler. 4 out of the 12 aircraft have been written off and disposed of following crashes. [8]
Pilatus PC-12		Switzerland	Passenger and cargo aircraft	1997	1 [1]	1 [1]	Service: The SAAF has a single PC-12 for use as a passenger and light-cargo transport aircraft. The aircraft has been employed primarily on liaison flights, personnel movement, and small-load logistics missions.
Super King Air		United States	Passenger and cargo aircraft	1981	4 [9]	2 [1]	Service: Super King Air aircraft remain in servicesupporting light transport missions, medical evacuation, training, and general utility tasks. Some airframes were withdrawn from service following structural fatigue and sustainment challenges.
Boeing 737 (BBJ)		United States	VIP transport aircraft	2001	1 [1]	1 [1]	Service: The sole Boeing 737 BBJ entered service in 2001 as the SAAF's long-range VIP transport aircraft. It supports presidential and ministerial flights, regional diplomatic missions, and strategic long-distance travel.
Cessna Citation II		United States	VIP transport aircraft	1983	2 [1]	2 [1]	Service: Two Citation aircraft were introduced into service in 1994 to provide short-to-medium range VIP transport capabilityfulfilling staff transport, liaison, and executive travel roles.
Dassault Falcon 50		France	VIP transport aircraft	1982	2 [1]	2 [1]	Service: Two Falcon 50 aircraft were acquired for long-range VIP and government transport duties.
Dassault Falcon 900		France	VIP transport aircraft	1992	1 [1]	1 [1]	Service: The SAAF's single Falcon 900 were acquired to supplement the VIP fleet. The aircraft is used for high-priority governmental travel and diplomatic missions.

Rotary-wing aircraft

Aircraft	Image	Origin	Type	Introduced	Fleet total	In service	Notes
Denel AH-2 Rooivalk		South Africa	Attack helicopter	2011	11 [1]	11 [1]	Service:12 taken into service between 2011 and 2012 with one aircraft damaged in an accident and written off upon delivery.
Atlas Oryx		South Africa	Medium helicopter	1990	49 [10]	37 [1]	Service: Initially 51 aircraft were taken into service. In 2006, Project Drummer II upgraded 39 airframes, with only these modernised examples remaining in service and the rest in long-term storage. In 2025, two airframes were written off following crashes.
AgustaWestland AW109		Italy	Utility helicopter	2003	24 [11]	24 [1]	Service: Initially 30 aircraft were taken into service under Project Flange, with 25 assembled in South Africa and 5 in Italy. In recent years, some airframes have been written off following crashes.
MBB/Kawasaki BK 117		Germany   Japan	Utility helicopter	1994	8 [1]	8 [1]	Service: Inherited in 1994 from the air wings of the former Ciskei (3), Transkei (2), Venda (2), and Bophuthatswana (2) defence forces. One lost in crash in 2003. [12]
Westland Super Lynx 300 Mk.64		United Kingdom	ASW helicopter	2007	4 [13]	4 [1]	Service: One each embarked on the South African Navy's Valour-class frigates.

UAVs

Aircraft	Image	Origin	Type	Introduced	Fleet total	In service	Notes
Milkor 380		South Africa	MALE UCAV	—	(+5)	On order	Status:5 on order to be delivered by the end of 2025. [14] Production is set to double from 8 systems per year by up to 16 per year starting by 2026. [15]

Historic aircraft no longer in service

Aircraft	Origin	Role	Service period	No. operated	Notes
Aermacchi AM.3C Bosbok	Italy/S. Africa	Utility	1973–1992	40 [16]
Aeronca KCA	US	Liaison	?	?
Aeronca 50C Chief	US	Liaison	1940-?	1 [16]
Aeronca 65C Super Chief	US	Liaison	?	?
Aérospatiale SA365N Dauphin	France	Helicopter	1994–1998	1 [16]
Aermacchi/Atlas MB.326 Impala	Italy/S. Africa	Trainer	1966–2005	251 [16]
Aermacchi/Atlas C.4M Kudu	Italy/S. Africa	Utility	1976–1991	40 [16]
Airco DH.4	UK	Bomber	1919–1927	10 [16]
de Havilland DH.9	UK	Bomber	1919–1942	11 [16]	Airco DH.9 until 1920. Some had Bristol Jupiter engines as DH M′pala
Airspeed AS-6J Envoy	UK	Transport	1936–1940	7 [16]
Airspeed AS-10 Oxford Mk.I & II	UK	Trainer	1940-1950	700 [16]
Atlas Cheetah C, D, E	South Africa	Fighter	1986–2008	68 [16]
Auster AOP-3, 5, 6 & 9	UK	Liaison	1945-1967
Avro 504K & N	UK	Trainer	1919–?	31+ [16]
Avro Avian	UK	Trainer	?-1936	21+ [16]
Avro Tutor	UK	Trainer	1930–1938	59 [16]
Avro Anson	UK	Trainer	1940–1947	750+ [16]
Avro York C.1	UK	Transport	1944–1952	1 [16]
Avro Shackleton MR.3	UK	Maritime Patrol	1957–1984	8 [16]
Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor	US	Transport	1945	2 [16]
Beechcraft B-80 Queen Air	US	Transport	1975–1992	2 [16]
Boeing 707	US	Transport	1986–2007	5 [16]
Bristol Blenheim Mk.I, IV & V	UK	Bomber	1939–1943	10+ [16]
Bristol Beaufort I, IA, II, IIA	UK	Bomber	1941–1944	58 [16]
Bristol Beaufighter Mk.II, VI, X	UK	Attack	1943–1944	7+ [16]
British Aircraft Double Eagle	UK	Liaison	1939–1940	1 [16]
Britten-Norman Islander	UK	Transport	1994-?	2 [16]
Bücker Bü 131A/B/D Jungmann	Germany	Trainer	1936–1939	?
Bücker Bü 133 Jungmeister	Germany	Trainer	1939-?	?
Canadair Sabre Mk.6	Canada	Fighter	1956–1980	34 [16]
CASA CN-235	Spain	Transport	1994-2012	1 [16]
Cessna C-34 Airmaster	US	Liaison	?	1 [16]
Cessna 185A, D & E Skywagon	US	Liaison	?	45 [16]
Cessna 320	US	Transport	1965–1967	1 [16]
Cessna Skymaster	US	Transport	?	?
Cessna 411	US	Transport	?	?
Consolidated Catalina Mk.IB/III	US	Maritime Patrol	1943–1946	18 [16]
Consolidated Liberator B.Mk.VI	US	Maritime Patrol	1944–1945	16 [16]
Curtiss Mohawk	US	Fighter	1941–1942	159 [16]
Curtiss Tomahawk, Kittyhawk & Warhawk	US	Fighter	1940–1948	210+ [16]
Dassault Falcon 20	France	Transport	1966	1 [16]
Dassault Mirage III	France	Fighter	1963–1990	57 [16]
Dassault Mirage F1AZ & CZ	France	Fighter	1975–1997	51 [16]
de Havilland DH.60 Moth/Gypsy Moth/Moth Major	UK	Trainer	1939-?	28 [16]
de Havilland DH.66 Hercules	UK	Transport	1934–1943	3 [16]
de Havilland DH.80A Puss Moth	UK	Liaison	1939-?	1 [16]
de Havilland DH.82A Tiger Moth	UK	Trainer	1939–1958	675 [16]
de Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth	UK	Transport	1939-?	?
de Havilland DH.84 Dragon	UK	Transport	1939-?	1 [16]
de Havilland DH.85 Leopard Moth	UK	Liaison	1939–1943	7 [16]
de Havilland DH.87B Hornet Moth	UK	Liaison	1939–1940	19 [16]
de Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide/Dominie	UK	Transport	1939-?	21 [16]
de Havilland DH.90 Dragonfly	UK	Transport	1939-?	3 [16]
de Havilland DH-94 Moth Minor	UK	Trainer	1939-?	?
de Havilland DH-98 Mosquito	UK	Bomber	1943–1945	22+ [16]
de Havilland DH.100 Vampire FB.5, FB.6	UK	Fighter	1950–1978	56 [16]
de Havilland DH.115 Vampire T.11, T.55	UK	Trainer	1953–1978	27 [16]
de Havilland DH.104 Dove 5	UK	Transport	1949–1965	9 [16]
de Havilland DH.114 Heron 2	UK	Transport	1955–1962	2 [16]
Desoutter Mk.II	UK	Liaison	?	1 [16]
Dornier Do 27B	Germany	Liaison	1958–1975	2 [16]
Douglas Boston Mk.III	US	Bomber	1941–1943	18 [16]
Douglas Dakota	US	Transport	1943–?	149 [16]
Douglas DC-4-1009, C-54 Skymaster	US	Transport	1966–1994	8 [16]
English Electric Canberra B(1)12	UK	Bomber	1963–1991	6 [16]
English Electric Canberra T.4	UK	Trainer	1964–1991	3 [16]
Fairey Battle B, T, TT	UK	Trainer	1939–1942	340 [16]
Fairchild F-24G, R Argus III	US	Liaison	1939-?	1 [16]
Fieseler Fi 156C-7 Storch	Germany	Liaison	1946-?	1 [16]
General Aircraft ST-4 II Monospar	UK	Transport	?	1 [16]
General Aircraft ST-25 Universal	UK	Transport	?	1 [16]
Gloster Gauntlet	UK	Fighter	1939–1943	6 [16]
Gloster Gladiator Mk I & II	UK	Fighter	1939–1941	31 [16]
Gloster Survey	UK	Transport	1933–1942	1 [16]
Gloster Meteor F.3	UK	Fighter	1946–1949	1 [16]
Hawker Hartbees Mk.I	UK	Bomber	1935–1940	69 [16]
Hawker Hart	UK	Bomber	1936–1944	320 [16]
Hawker Audax	UK	Fighter	1937–1944	80 [16]
Hawker Fury Mk.I & Mk.II	UK	Fighter	1936–1942	53 [16]
Hawker Hurricane Mk.I & II	UK	Fighter	1939–1945	193 [16]
Hawker-Siddeley HS-125	UK	Transport	1970–1999	8 [16]
Hawker Siddeley Buccaneer S.Mk.50	UK	Bomber	1965–1991	16 [16]
Farman HF.27	France	Trainer	1915-?
Junkers A-50 Junior	Germany	Trainer	?	?
Junkers F.13	Germany	Transport	?-1944	1 [16]
Junkers Ju 52-3m	Germany	Transport	1939–1953	23 [16]
Junkers Ju 86	Germany	Transport	1939–1945	18 [16]
Klemm Kl 25	Germany	Trainer	?	?
Koolhoven F.K.46	Netherlands	Trainer	?	?
Lockheed Super Electra	US	Transport	?	3 [16]
Lockheed Lodestar	US	Transport	1940–1944	31 [16]
Lockheed Hudson	US	Bomber	1940-?	1 [16]
Lockheed Ventura GR.V	US	Maritime Patrol	1942–1960	395 [16]
Lockheed C-130F Hercules	US	Transport	1997–1998	7 [16]
Martin Maryland Mk.I & II	US	Bomber	1940-1942	148+ [16]
Martin Baltimore	US	Bomber	1941-1945	26+ [16]
Martin Marauder I, II & III	US	Bomber	1942-1945	56+ [16]
Miles M.2H Hawk	UK	Trainer	1943-?	2 [16]
Miles Sparrowhawk	UK	Trainer	1939–1941	1 [16]
Miles Magister	UK	Trainer	1940-?	7 [16]
Miles Master T.II	UK	Trainer	1941–1945	426 [16]
Miles Falcon	UK	Trainer	?	1 [16]
Nord C160Z Transall	France	Transport	1969–1993	9 [16]
North American Harvard/Texan	US	Trainer	1942–1995	744 [16]
North American Mustang IIIB, IV, IVA	US	Fighter	1945, 1951-1952	95+ [16]
Northrop Nomad Mk.I	US	Trainer	1941–1944	57 [16]
Percival Gull VI	UK	Trainer	1940-?	1 [16]
Piaggio P166 Albatross	Italy	Transport	1969–1993	27 [16]
Pilatus PC-6 Porter	Switzerland	Transport	1994–1998	1 [16]	from Bophuthatswana Air Force
Pilatus PC-7 Turbo Trainer	Switzerland	Trainer	1994–1996	3	from Bophuthatswana Air Force, returned to Pilatus
Piper J-3	US	Trainer	?	?
Piper J-4 Cub Coupe	US	Trainer	?	1 [16]
Piper PA-23 Aztec 250	US	Liaison	1981–1992	2 [16]
Piper PA-28 Cherokee 140	US	Liaison	1981–1992	1 [16]
Rearwin Speedster	US	Liaison	1939-?	?
Rearwin Sportster	US	Liaison	1939-?	12+ [16]
Royal Aircraft Factory BE.2c & e	UK	Reconnaissance	1915–1921
Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5A	UK	Fighter	1919–1931	24 [16]
Ryan ST-A	US	Trainer	1939-?	3 [16]
Short Sunderland GR.V	UK	Maritime Patrol	1945–1957	16 [16]
Sikorsky S-51	US	Helicopter	1948–1968	3 [16]
Sikorsky Whirlwind	US	Helicopter	1956–1968
Simmonds Spartan	UK	Trainer	1925	1 [16]
Stinson HW-75	US	Liaison	?	?
Stinson SR-5A & 10C Reliant	US	Liaison	?	2 [16]
Sud Aviation Alouette II & III	France	Helicopter	1960–2006	126 [16]
Sud Aviation SA-321L Super Frelon	France	Transport Helicopter	1967–1990	17 [16]
Sud Aviation Puma SA330C, H, J, L	France	Transport Helicopter	1969–1997	109 [16]
Supermarine Spitfire V, VIII, IX	UK	Fighter	1942–1954	205 [16]
Supermarine Spitfire PR IXe	UK	Reconnaissance	1947–1954	?
Swearingen Merlin IVA	US	Transport	1975–1985	7 [16]
Taylorcraft BC/BL/BL-65	US	Liaison	1939-?	?
Tipsy S.2 Trainer	Belgium	Trainer	1939-?	1 [16]
Vickers Type 264 Valentia	UK	Transport	1940–1943	11 [16]
Vickers Wellesley	UK	Bomber	1940–1941	?
Vickers Wellington	UK	Bomber	?-?	24 [16]
Vickers Warwick Mk.V	UK	Bomber	1945–1946	32 [16]
Vickers 781D Viscount	UK	Transport	1958–1991	1 [16]
WACO biplanes	US	Liaison	?	?
Westland Wapiti	UK	Bomber	1931–1943	31 [16]
Westland Wasp HAS 1	UK	Helicopter	1963–1990

References

1. Teixeira, Ricardo; Wingrin, Dean (27 March 2025). "Setting the record straight on SAAF aircraft availability - defenceWeb" . Retrieved 19 November 2025.
2. defenceWeb (11 June 2021). "Gripen in ground run incident at AFB Makhado - defenceWeb" . Retrieved 19 November 2025.
3. Wingrin, Dean (14 July 2010). "SAAF receives first upgraded PC-7 MkII - DefenceWeb" . Retrieved 19 November 2025.
4. DefenceWeb (24 October 2025). "SAAF's C-130BZ Hercules 409 expected back in service mid-2026 - DefenceWeb" . Retrieved 19 November 2025.
5. "The South African Air Force". www.saairforce.co.za. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
6. Engelbrecht, Leon (26 August 2011). "SAAF keeps CASA fleet flying - DefenceWeb" . Retrieved 19 November 2025.
7. Wingrin, Dean (22 August 2025). "Although grounded, the SAAF's C47-TP Turbo Dakotas may live to fly again - DefenceWeb" . Retrieved 19 November 2025.
8. defenceWeb (20 January 2022). "Tenders out for support of two SAAF aircraft types - DefenceWeb" . Retrieved 19 November 2025.
9. defenceWeb (14 April 2025). "SAAF King Air light transport aircraft loses door - DefenceWeb" . Retrieved 19 November 2025.
10. defenceWeb (15 January 2016). "Final four Oryx being upgraded as part of Project Drummer - defenceWeb" . Retrieved 19 November 2025.
11. Martin, Kim Helfrich/Guy (17 March 2025). "Helicopter remains anyone? - DefenceWeb" . Retrieved 22 November 2025.
12. "The South African Air Force". www.saairforce.co.za. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
13. "The South African Air Force". www.saairforce.co.za. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
14. defenceWeb (25 November 2022). "First Milkor UAVs destined for South African use - DefenceWeb" . Retrieved 19 November 2025.
15. DefenceWeb (11 November 2025). "Milkor promotes 380 UAV as it continues development of larger 780 - DefenceWeb" . Retrieved 19 November 2025.
16. "South African Air Force". Aeroflight. 9 April 2016.