List of aircraft of the South African Air Force

Last updated

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

Contents

Current aircraft

These aircraft are in service as of 2024 [1]

AircraftImageOriginTypeVariantIntroductionIn serviceNotes
Combat aircraft
JAS 39 Gripen Saab-JAS-39 at ILA 2010 05.jpg Sweden Multirole fighter C/D201026 [2] JAS 39C: 17

JAS 39D: 9

BAE Hawk Hawk (53060987157).jpg United Kingdom / South Africa Fighter trainer Mk. 120200624 [3]
Tanker
KC-390 Millennium Embraer KC-390, PT-ZNJ - Desfile Civico 2018 (cropped).jpg Brazil / South Africa Aerial refueling PlannedSAAF has expressed interest in this aircraft [4]
Transport
C-130 Hercules A C-130 Hercules flies over Denali National Park and Preserve (cropped).jpg United States Tactical airlifter BZ19639 [5] 9 aircraft in inventory of which six are operational and 3 others used for spare parts, the six operational aircraft are undergoing major upgrades as of 2023
C-47 Turbo Dakota Dakota no. 40.JPG United States Transport / electronic warfare Block II19436Modernised in the 1990s
CASA C-212 Aviocar SAAF C-212-200 8010 (6910679329).jpg Spain Transport 200/30019942
Cessna 208 Caravan Caravan no. 3005.JPG United States Utility / observation 208B19887 [6]
Super King Air Beech200.super.kingair.arp.750pix.jpg United States Transport 19944
Pilatus PC-12 Pilatus PC-12 (PI-03) Tour de Sky 2014-08-09 03.JPG United States Transport 19971
Boeing 737 ZS-RSA B737-300 SAF (4318930775).jpg United States Presidential transport BBJ20011
Citation II Cessna Citation II N550HM FDK MD1.jpg Spain VIP transport 19832
Falcon 900 Dassault Falcon 900 N618CX FDK MD2.jpg France VIP transport 19921
Falcon 50 Dassault Falcon 50 N291B FDK MD1.jpg France VIP transport 19822
Helicopters
Atlas Oryx SAAF-Atlas Oryx-001 (cropped).jpg South Africa Transport Mk. II199039 [7]
AH-2 Rooivalk Rooivalk in flight (cropped).jpg South Africa Attack Mk. I199911 [8] 8 helicopters are currently in service, they have been grounded since August 2022. Three Rooivalks are in peacekeeping operations.
MBB/Kawasaki BK 117 SAAF MBB Bk117A-3 382 (6929091397).jpg Japan

Germany

Utility 19946
Westland AW109 AW109-Power-Agusta-Westland.jpg Italy Utility 200330 [9]
Westland Super Lynx SAAF Super Lynx 300 Mk 64 192 (6777196416).jpg United Kingdom ASW Mk. 30020074
Trainer aircraft
Pilatus PC-7 Silver Falcons PC-7 Mk II Nbr 2 (6782998774).jpg Switzerland Basic trainer Mk. II199456
UAV
Milkor 380 Milkor 380.jpg South Africa MALE UCAV 20245 [10] The largest UAV to be manufactured in South Africa and in Africa, it has an endurance of up to 35 hours of flight time and a payload capacity of 210 kg

Historic aircraft Aircraft types no longer in service.

AircraftOriginRoleService periodNo. operatedNotes
Aermacchi AM.3C Bosbok Italy/S. AfricaUtility1973–199240 [11]
Aeronca KCA USLiaison??
Aeronca 50C Chief USLiaison1940-?1 [11]
Aeronca 65C Super Chief USLiaison??
Aérospatiale SA365N Dauphin FranceHelicopter1994–19981 [11]
Aermacchi/Atlas MB.326 Impala Italy/S. AfricaTrainer1966–2005251 [11]
Aermacchi/Atlas C.4M Kudu Italy/S. AfricaUtility1976–199140 [11]
Airco DH.4 UKBomber1919–192710 [11]
de Havilland DH.9 UKBomber1919–194211 [11] Airco DH.9 until 1920. Some had Bristol Jupiter engines as DH M′pala
Airspeed AS-6J Envoy UKTransport1936–19407 [11]
Airspeed AS-10 Oxford Mk.I & II UKTrainer1940-1950700 [11]
Atlas Cheetah C, D, ESouth AfricaFighter1986–200868 [11]
Auster AOP-3, 5, 6 & 9 UKLiaison1945-1967
Avro 504K & NUKTrainer1919–?31+ [11]
Avro Avian UKTrainer?-193621+ [11]
Avro Tutor UKTrainer1930–193859 [11]
Avro Anson UKTrainer1940–1947750+ [11]
Avro York C.1UKTransport1944–19521 [11]
Avro Shackleton MR.3UKMaritime Patrol1957–19848 [11]
Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor USTransport19452 [11]
Beechcraft B-80 Queen Air USTransport1975–19922 [11]
Boeing 707 USTransport1986–20075 [11]
Bristol Blenheim Mk.I, IV & VUKBomber1939–194310+ [11]
Bristol Beaufort I, IA, II, IIAUKBomber1941–194458 [11]
Bristol Beaufighter Mk.II, VI, XUKAttack1943–19447+ [11]
British Aircraft Double Eagle UKLiaison1939–19401 [11]
Britten-Norman Islander UKTransport1994-?2 [11]
Bücker Bü 131A/B/D JungmannGermanyTrainer1936–1939?
Bücker Bü 133 JungmeisterGermanyTrainer1939-??
Canadair Sabre Mk.6 CanadaFighter1956–198034 [11]
CASA CN-235 SpainTransport1994-20121 [11]
Cessna C-34 Airmaster USLiaison?1 [11]
Cessna 185A, D & E SkywagonUSLiaison?45 [11]
Cessna 320 USTransport1965–19671 [11]
Cessna Skymaster USTransport??
Cessna 411 USTransport??
Consolidated Catalina Mk.IB/III USMaritime Patrol1943–194618 [11]
Consolidated Liberator B.Mk.VI USMaritime Patrol1944–194516 [11]
Curtiss Mohawk USFighter1941–1942159 [11]
Curtiss Tomahawk, Kittyhawk & Warhawk USFighter1940–1948210+ [11]
Dassault Falcon 20 FranceTransport19661 [11]
Dassault Mirage III FranceFighter1963–199057 [11]
Dassault Mirage F1AZ & CZFranceFighter1975–199751 [11]
de Havilland DH.60 Moth/Gypsy Moth/Moth Major UKTrainer1939-?28 [11]
de Havilland DH.66 Hercules UKTransport1934–19433 [11]
de Havilland DH.80A Puss Moth UKLiaison1939-?1 [11]
de Havilland DH.82A Tiger Moth UKTrainer1939–1958675 [11]
de Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth UKTransport1939-??
de Havilland DH.84 Dragon UKTransport1939-?1 [11]
de Havilland DH.85 Leopard Moth UKLiaison1939–19437 [11]
de Havilland DH.87B Hornet Moth UKLiaison1939–194019 [11]
de Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide/Dominie UKTransport1939-?21 [11]
de Havilland DH.90 Dragonfly UKTransport1939-?3 [11]
de Havilland DH-94 Moth Minor UKTrainer1939-??
de Havilland DH-98 Mosquito UKBomber1943–194522+ [11]
de Havilland DH.100 Vampire FB.5, FB.6UKFighter1950–197856 [11]
de Havilland DH.115 Vampire T.11, T.55UKTrainer1953–197827 [11]
de Havilland DH.104 Dove 5 UKTransport1949–19659 [11]
de Havilland DH.114 Heron 2 UKTransport1955–19622 [11]
Desoutter Mk.IIUKLiaison?1 [11]
Dornier Do 27BGermanyLiaison1958–19752 [11]
Douglas Boston Mk.IIIUSBomber1941–194318 [11]
Douglas Dakota USTransport1943–?149 [11]
Douglas DC-4-1009, C-54 Skymaster USTransport1966–19948 [11]
English Electric Canberra B(1)12UKBomber1963–19916 [11]
English Electric Canberra T.4UKTrainer1964–19913 [11]
Fairey Battle B, T, TT UKTrainer1939–1942340 [11]
Fairchild F-24G, R Argus IIIUSLiaison1939-?1 [11]
Fieseler Fi 156C-7 StorchGermanyLiaison1946-?1 [11]
General Aircraft ST-4 II Monospar UKTransport?1 [11]
General Aircraft ST-25 Universal UKTransport?1 [11]
Gloster Gauntlet UKFighter1939–19436 [11]
Gloster Gladiator Mk I & IIUKFighter1939–194131 [11]
Gloster Survey UKTransport1933–19421 [11]
Gloster Meteor F.3UKFighter1946–19491 [11]
Hawker Hartbeest Mk.IUKBomber1935–194069 [11]
Hawker Hart UKBomber1936–1944320 [11]
Hawker Audax UKFighter1937–194480 [11]
Hawker Fury Mk.I & Mk.IIUKFighter1936–194253 [11]
Hawker Hurricane Mk.I & II UKFighter1939–1945193 [11]
Hawker-Siddeley HS-125 UKTransport1970–19998 [11]
Hawker Siddeley Buccaneer S.Mk.50 UKBomber1965–199116 [11]
Farman HF.27 FranceTrainer1915-?
Junkers A-50 Junior GermanyTrainer??
Junkers F.13 GermanyTransport?-19441 [11]
Junkers Ju 52-3mGermanyTransport1939–195323 [11]
Junkers Ju 86 GermanyTransport1939–194518 [11]
Klemm Kl 25 GermanyTrainer??
Koolhoven F.K.46 NetherlandsTrainer??
Lockheed Super Electra USTransport?3 [11]
Lockheed Lodestar USTransport1940–194431 [11]
Lockheed Hudson USBomber1940-?1 [11]
Lockheed Ventura GR.V USMaritime Patrol1942–1960395 [11]
Lockheed C-130F Hercules USTransport1997–19987 [11]
Martin Maryland Mk.I & II USBomber1940-1942148+ [11]
Martin Baltimore USBomber1941-194526+ [11]
Martin Marauder I, II & III USBomber1942-194556+ [11]
Miles M.2H Hawk UKTrainer1943-?2 [11]
Miles Sparrowhawk UKTrainer1939–19411 [11]
Miles Magister UKTrainer1940-?7 [11]
Miles Master T.IIUKTrainer1941–1945426 [11]
Miles Falcon UKTrainer?1 [11]
Nord C160Z Transall FranceTransport1969–19939 [11]
North American Harvard/Texan USTrainer1942–1995744 [11]
North American Mustang IIIB, IV, IVA USFighter1945, 1951-195295+ [11]
Northrop Nomad Mk.I USTrainer1941–194457 [11]
Percival Gull VI UKTrainer1940-?1 [11]
Piaggio P166 AlbatrossItalyTransport1969–199327 [11]
Pilatus PC-6 Porter SwitzerlandTransport1994–19981 [11] from Bophuthatswana Air Force
Pilatus PC-7 Turbo TrainerSwitzerlandTrainer1994–19963from Bophuthatswana Air Force, returned to Pilatus
Piper J-3 USTrainer??
Piper J-4 Cub Coupe USTrainer?1 [11]
Piper PA-23 Aztec 250 USLiaison1981–19922 [11]
Piper PA-28 Cherokee 140 USLiaison1981–19921 [11]
Rearwin Speedster USLiaison1939-??
Rearwin Sportster USLiaison1939-?12+ [11]
Royal Aircraft Factory BE.2c & eUKReconnaissance1915–1921
Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5AUKFighter1919–193124 [11]
Ryan ST-AUSTrainer1939-?3 [11]
Short Sunderland GR.VUKMaritime Patrol1945–195716 [11]
Sikorsky S-51 USHelicopter1948–19683 [11]
Sikorsky Whirlwind USHelicopter1956–1968
Simmonds Spartan UKTrainer19251 [11]
Stinson HW-75 USLiaison??
Stinson SR-5A & 10C Reliant USLiaison?2 [11]
Sud Aviation Alouette II & III FranceHelicopter1960–2006126 [11]
Sud Aviation SA-321L Super Frelon FranceTransport Helicopter1967–199017 [11]
Sud Aviation Puma SA330C, H, J, L FranceTransport Helicopter1969–1997109 [11]
Supermarine Spitfire V, VIII, IXUKFighter1942–1954205 [11]
Supermarine Spitfire PR IXeUKReconnaissance1947–1954?
Swearingen Merlin IVAUSTransport1975–19857 [11]
Taylorcraft BC/BL/BL-65 USLiaison1939-??
Tipsy S.2 TrainerBelgiumTrainer1939-?1 [11]
Vickers Type 264 Valentia UKTransport1940–194311 [11]
Vickers Wellesley UKBomber1940–1941?
Vickers Wellington UKBomber?-?24 [11]
Vickers Warwick Mk.V UKBomber1945–194632 [11]
Vickers 781D Viscount UKTransport1958–19911 [11]
WACO biplanes USLiaison??
Westland Wapiti UKBomber1931–194331 [11]
Westland Wasp HAS 1UKHelicopter1963–1990

See also *[[Denel Dynamics Seeker]]

Notes

    Related Research Articles

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">South African Navy</span> Branch of the South African National Defence Force

    The South African Navy (SA Navy) is the naval warfare branch of the South African National Defence Force.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">South African Air Force</span> Branch of the South African National Defence Force

    The South African Air Force (SAAF) is the air warfare branch of South African National Defence Force, with its headquarters in Pretoria. The South African Air Force was established on 1 February 1920. The Air Force saw service in World War II and the Korean War. From 1966, the SAAF was involved in providing infantry support in the low-intensity Border War in Angola, South-West Africa and Rhodesia. As the war progressed, the intensity of air operations increased, until in the late 1980s when 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 neighbouring states.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Denel Rooivalk</span> Attack helicopter by Atlas Aircraft Corporation, later Denel Aviation

    The Denel Rooivalk is an attack helicopter manufactured by Denel Aviation of South Africa. Rooivalk is Afrikaans for "Red Falcon", which refers to the lesser kestrel. Development of the type began in 1984 by the Atlas Aircraft Corporation, its development is closely connected to the Atlas Oryx transport helicopter, both aircraft being based on the Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma and having started development at the same time.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Atlas Oryx</span> Utility helicopter in the South African Air Force

    The Atlas Oryx is a medium-sized utility helicopter ostensibly developed and manufactured by the Atlas Aircraft Corporation of South Africa. Its largest operator is the South African Air Force (SAAF), having been originally developed to fulfil their needs.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Aérospatiale Alouette III</span> Light helicopter family by Sud Aviation, later Aerospatiale

    The Aérospatiale Alouette III is a single-engine, light utility helicopter developed by French aircraft company Sud Aviation. During its production life, it proved to be a relatively popular rotorcraft; including multiple licensed manufacturers, more than 2,000 units were built.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">21 Squadron SAAF</span> Military unit

    21 Squadron SAAF is a squadron of the South African Air Force. It was formed as a bomber squadron in Kenya during World War II and became a VIP transport squadron in the 1960s, a role which it performs to this day. The squadron currently flies two Dassault Falcon 50s, two Cessna Citation IIs, a Dassault Falcon 900 and a Boeing BBJ aircraft. 21 Squadron is one of the most active squadrons in the air force with 606 VIP transport flights being made between 2009 and 2012. The Boeing BBJ is used as the presidential aircraft when the President of South Africa travels and designated callsign LMG1.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">South African National Defence Force</span> Military of South Africa

    The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) comprises the armed forces of South Africa. The Chief of the SANDF is appointed by the President of South Africa from one of the armed services. They are in turn accountable to the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans of the Defence Department.

    The Denel Dynamics Seeker is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) manufactured in South Africa by Denel Dynamics. The system is designed to perform tactical reconnaissance in real time and can conduct day and night surveillance in all threat environments.

    Denel Aeronautics is the aviation and aerospace division of the state-owned Denel corporation of South Africa. It is one of the successors of the South African aviation company Atlas Aircraft Corporation.

    The South African Air Force Museum houses exhibits and restores material related to the history of the South African Air Force. The museum is divided into three locations, AFB Swartkop outside Pretoria, AFB Ysterplaat in Cape Town and at the Port Elizabeth airport.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Air Force Base Swartkop</span> Airport in Gauteng, South Africa

    Air Force Base Swartkop is South Africa's oldest air force base and houses the South African Air Force Museum. It is managed as part of AFB Waterkloof and houses one of the three branches of the South African Air Force Museum. The name of the air force base, Swartkop means Black hill in Afrikaans.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Air Force Base Durban</span> Airport in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

    AFB Durban is an airbase of the South African Air Force, located in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The runway is shared with the Durban International Airport. The airbase is at the northern end of the runway.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">35 Squadron SAAF</span> Military unit

    35 Squadron SAAF is a squadron of the South African Air Force. It is a maritime patrol and transport squadron.

    Air Force Station Port Elizabeth is a South African Air Force facility situated on the north-eastern side of the Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport main runway. It was downgraded from an Air Force Base in the early 1990s.

    The History of the South African Air Force spans the First World War, Rand Rebellion of 1922, the Second World War, the Korean War, the South African Border War, and varied peacekeeping operations since 1994. Its battle honours include German South West Africa 1914–15, German East Africa 1915–1918, East Africa: 1939–1941, Middle East: 1941–43, Madagascar 1942, Italy 1943–1945, the Balkans 1943–1945, and Korea 1950–1953.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">42 Squadron SAAF</span> Military unit

    42 Squadron SAAF is a disbanded squadron of the South African Air Force, active from 1945 to 2000. The squadron's main role was to spot enemy artillery. The unit was formed in 1945 as 42 AOP Flight, flying Austers under command of an officer of the SA Artillery and was the only army aviation unit flying for South African forces during World War II.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">16 Squadron SAAF</span> Attack helicopter squadron of the South African Air Force

    16 Squadron SAAF is an attack helicopter squadron of the South African Air Force (SAAF). It was originally formed in World War II as a maritime patrol squadron, however, over the course of the war it was disbanded and reformed a number of times, operating a number of different types of aircraft. It was finally disbanded in June 1945 and was not re-raised until 1968 as a helicopter squadron. In the late 1980s the squadron took part in the conflict in Angola before being disbanded again in 1990. It was raised once more in 1999 and it is currently operating the Rooivalk attack helicopter.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">SADC Mission in Mozambique</span> Peacekeeping mission

    The Southern African Development Community Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) is an active regional peacekeeping mission operated by the Southern African Development Community in Northern Mozambique's Cabo Delgado Province.

    References

    1. ↑ Embraer, In association with. "2023 World Air Forces directory". Flight Global. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
    2. ↑ "The South African Air Force". www.saairforce.co.za. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
    3. ↑ "The South African Air Force". www.saairforce.co.za. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
    4. ↑ Martin, Guy (24 November 2023). "KC-390 at Waterkloof for SAAF demonstration". defenceWeb. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
    5. ↑ "Armscor details SAAF C-130BZ Hercules upgrade progress | defenceWeb". 26 October 2023. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
    6. ↑ Engelbrecht, Leon (1 February 2010). "Fact file: Cessna C208 Caravan". defenceWeb. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
    7. ↑ "South African troops in the DRC, Mozambique at risk without helicopter maintenance contract | defenceWeb". 20 February 2024. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
    8. ↑ "South African troops in the DRC, Mozambique at risk without helicopter maintenance contract | defenceWeb". 20 February 2024. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
    9. ↑ "SAAF".
    10. ↑ Martin, Guy (25 November 2022). "First Milkor UAVs destined for South African use". defenceWeb. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
    11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 "South African Air Force". Aeroflight. 9 April 2016.
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