 | This article's factual accuracy may be compromised due to out-of-date information.(July 2015) |
The following is a list of current weapon systems of the South African Air Force . For weapon system no longer in use, see List of obsolete weapon systems of the South African Air Force.
| Weapon systems of the South African Air Force | |||||
| Type | Manufacturer | Model | Platform | ||
| Air to Air Missile | Diehl BGT Defence | IRIS-T [1] | Gripen C, Gripen D | ||
| Denel Dynamics | A-Darter [2] | Gripen C, Gripen D, Hawk 120 (Hawk integration in progress, not yet operational) [2] | |||
| Air to Surface Missile | Denel Dynamics | Mokopa [2] | Rooivalk, Super Lynx 300 (Integrated but not yet operational) [2] | ||
| Reconnaissance / Targeting Pod | Northrop Grumman | Litening III targeting pod [1] | Gripen C, Gripen D | ||
| Thales Optronics | Vicon 18-601E [1] | Hawk Mk 120 | |||
| Thales Optronics | Digital Joint Reconnaissance Pod [1] | Gripen C, Gripen D | |||
| Carl Zeiss Optronics | Argos 410-Z [1] | C208 Caravan, A109 LUH | |||
| Rocket Launcher | Type 159 Launcher [1] | Rooivalk | |||
| Rocket | Forges de Zeebrugge | FZ90 70mm FFAR [1] | Rooivalk | ||
| Guided Bomb | Raytheon | GBU-12 Paveway II [1] | Gripen C, Gripen D | ||
| Denel Dynamics | Umbani PGM | Hawk Mk 120 (Integrated but not acquired) [3] | |||
| Free-fall Bomb | Reunert Technology Systems [4] | 120 kg Fragmentation Bomb [1] | Gripen C, Gripen D, Hawk Mk 120 | ||
| Reunert Technology Systems [4] | 120 kg Low-Drag Bomb [1] | Gripen C, Gripen D, Hawk Mk 120 | |||
| Reunert Technology Systems [4] | 145 kg Bomb [1] | Gripen C, Gripen D, Hawk Mk 120 | |||
| Reunert Technology Systems [4] | 460 kg Bomb [1] | Gripen C, Gripen D, Hawk Mk 120 | |||
| Reunert Technology Systems [4] | 12.5 kg Practice Bomb [1] | Hawk Mk 120 | |||
| Reunert Technology Systems [4] | 4.5 kg Practice Bomb [1] | Hawk Mk 120 | |||
| Guns | GIAT [5] | F2 20mm Cannon [1] | Rooivalk | ||
| Mauser-Werke Oberndorf [6] | BK 27 27mm Cannon [1] | Gripen C | |||
| Royal Small Arms Factory | Aden 30mm cannon [1] | Hawk Mk 120 | |||
| FN Herstal | 7,62mm LMG [1] | Oryx | |||
| FN Herstal | M3M 0.5 inch Machine Gun [1] | Super Lynx 300 | |||
The Avro Shackleton is a British long-range maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) which was used by the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the South African Air Force (SAAF). It was developed by Avro from the Avro Lincoln bomber, which itself had been a development of the famous wartime Avro Lancaster bomber.
The BAE Systems Hawk is a British single-engine, jet-powered advanced trainer aircraft. It was first known as the Hawker Siddeley Hawk, and subsequently produced by its successor companies, British Aerospace and BAE Systems. It has been used in a training capacity and as a low-cost combat aircraft.
The Dassault Mirage F1 is a French fighter and attack aircraft designed and manufactured by Dassault Aviation. It was developed as a successor to the Mirage III family.
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.
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 was closely connected to the Atlas Oryx transport helicopter, with both aircraft being based on the Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma and having started development at the same time.
The Atlas Cheetah is a South African fighter aircraft designed and produced by the aviation company Atlas Aircraft Corporation. It was primarily designed and developed to be operated by the South African Air Force (SAAF).
The Maschinengewehr (MG) 151 is a belt-fed autocannon for aircraft use, developed in Nazi Germany from 1934 to 1940 and produced by Waffenfabrik Mauser during World War II. It was originally produced in 15.1 mm caliber from 1940, with a 15×96mm cartridge, but due to demand for higher effect against aircraft, especially with the introduction of mine shells for the 20 mm MG-FF/M aircraft cannon, the design was rechambered to 20 mm caliber in 1941, using a newly developed 20×82mm cartridge which traded projectile velocity for explosive power. The initial 15 mm variant then became known as the MG 151/15, with the new 20 mm variant becoming the MG 151/20.
An attack helicopter is an armed helicopter with the primary role of an attack aircraft, with the offensive capability of engaging ground targets such as enemy infantry, military vehicles and fortifications. Due to their heavy armament they are sometimes called helicopter gunships.
2 Squadron is a squadron in the South African Air Force which was formed in 1940. The squadron has a long history, having been involved in every single combat action in which the SAAF has taken part. During the Second World War it made a name for itself in the battles for East Africa, before distinguishing itself in North Africa as part of the Desert Air Force, and later in Italy.
The Test Flight and Development Centre is a unit of the South African Air Force. It is a test flight and evaluation organisation.
24 Squadron SAAF is a disbanded squadron of the South African Air Force. Its last role was as an attack aircraft squadron. The squadron was first formed during World War II on 5 March 1941 by renumbering 14 Squadron SAAF in Egypt. It later carried out bombing operations in Kenya and North Africa, before taking part in the Italian campaign before disbanding in late 1945 at the conclusion of hostilities. The squadron was later re-raised and operated jet aircraft in an attack role during the Border War. It was finally disbanded in early 1991.
The Royal Small Arms Factory ADEN cannon is a 30 mm revolver cannon used on many military aircraft, particularly those of the British Royal Air Force and Fleet Air Arm. Developed post-World War II primarily to meet British Air Ministry's requirement for increased lethality in aircraft armament, the cannon was fired electrically and is fully automatic once it is loaded.
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 V3E A-Darter is a modern short-range infrared homing air-to-air missile, featuring countermeasures resistance with a 180-degree look angle and 120-degrees per second track rate, developed by South Africa's Denel Dynamics and Brazil's Mectron, Avibras and Opto Eletrônica. It will equip the South African Air Force's Saab JAS 39 Gripen C/D and BAE Hawk 120, and the Brazilian Air Force's A-1M AMX, Northrop F-5BR and Gripen E/F. It was expected to be in production before the end of 2015. As of November 2022, no combat capable missiles had been produced.
The Saudi Arabian Air Defense Forces or officially Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces (RSADF) is the aerial defense service branch of the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces (SAAF). It is fourth of the five service branches of the MOD. It has its HQ in Riyadh, where there is also an elaborate underground command facility that co-ordinates the kingdom's advanced "Peace Shield" radar and air defense system, with an estimated 40,000 active duty military personnel in 2015. Along with the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF), it has the responsibility for securing the skies of Saudi Arabia.
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.
The Umbani is a precision-guided bomb kit manufactured by Denel Dynamics in South Africa. It consists of a number of modules fitted to NATO standard Mk81, Mk82 or Mk83 low drag free-fall bombs to convert them into guided glide bombs.
12 Squadron was a South African Air Force squadron that served in the Second World War in East Africa and the Western Desert as a medium bomber squadron. After the war, the squadron was used in various roles, including that of a helicopter squadron until 1963, when it was equipped with English Electric Canberra light bombers, remaining a light bomber and reconnaissance squadron until disbanded in 1990.
8 Squadron was a South African Air Force squadron during World War II and was again active between 1951 and 2001. During this second period, it was designated at different times as either a Citizen Force or Permanent Force squadron and was disbanded on 31 March 2001.
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.