Ukraine caught operating Mi-24 in U.N. colors

The United Nations says it's concerned over the interim Ukrainian government's use of military helicopters bearing its signature in military operations. They were used during the operation in Donetsk Region, which is defying Kiev's authority and proclaimed independence.
Three U.N.-painted Mil Mi-24 combat helicopters and one Mi-8 transport helicopter had been spotted assisting government troops in eastern Ukraine.
Ukraine has provided equipment to several U.N. peacekeeping missions, including in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
A U.N. spokesperson told that the helicopters seen may have been aircraft used on these missions that had not been repainted on their return. This would be a violation of the U.N.'s agreement with its member states and made concerns clear about these reports.
He added: "It is the responsibility of U.N. member states to remove all logos and signs bearing the U.N.'s name once such equipment has been repatriated to the home country or is no longer being used for official U.N. purposes."
nbcnews

South Africa's defence minister calls for Rooivalk line to be reopened

South African defence minister has called for Denel to restart production of the Rooivalk attack helicopter, although it is unclear at this stage how likely this might be.
Speaking after a briefing in Cape Town on South African participation in peace-support missions, minister said the small Rooivalk detachment deployed to support the UN mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) had enjoyed a remarkable impact and demonstrated the effectiveness of the aircraft. She added that other countries had made enquiries about the Rooivalk.
The South African Air Force (SAAF) has also deployed Oryx medium transport helicopters to the DRC to support the UN's Force Intervention Brigade.
South Africa planned to build 36 Rooivalks for the SAAF, but that was cut to just 12 when defence funding was slashed after 1990. Despite good reviews from potential customers, no export orders emerged, largely because the SAAF had not taken the helicopter into full service due to funding shortfalls. A possible Turkish order was thwarted by a foreign supplier that refused to supply a critical component.
While the Rooivalk is now operational, it still lacks the 10,000 m-range Mokopa laser-guided missile expressly designed for it by Denel Dynamics because there is no funding to buy the weapon. The Mokopa, meanwhile, is being produced for an export order to arm shipboard helicopters.
janes

Il-76s for the SAAF?

A SA National Defence Force team is burning the midnight oil on an urgent study to ensure extra airlift capacity for the SA Air Force (SAAF) becomes a reality.
Ilyushin 76s (Il-76s) are top of the list to supplement the ageing C-130BZs operated by 28 Squadron.
The acquisition of at least three of the Russian transport aircraft, probably second hand, is seen as essential to providing support for South African peacekeeping and peace support deployments on the continent.
Lockheed Martin, manufacturers of the C-130, has made presentations to the SAAF as regards replacing the BZ, which has been in service for 50 years, with the new C-130J. The gap in airlift capacity became more pronounced when government bailed out of the Airbus Military A400M programme in 2009 citing cost escalations and production delays as the reasons for South Africa no longer wanting to be a risk sharing partner in the new generation airlifter.
The SAAF has never before operated Russian aircraft and, if Il-76s were acquired, it would mean an overhaul of the logistic system to keep them operational. There are also currently no SAAF pilots rated on the Il-76.
The SANDF has used chartered Il-76s to transport equipment to places like the Democratic Republic of Congo for peacekeeping missions, as it is difficult to fit aircraft like Oryx helicopters into the SAAF's C-130s without major dismantling.
saairforce

Rooivalk attack helo makes combat debut in DRC

The Rooivalk attack helicopter fired its first shots in anger on 4 November. For their mission in the DRC, the helicopters are painted in a UN-white finish.
The Denel Rooivalk attack helicopter made its combat debut on 4 November, while conducting armed overwatch and close air support flights of UN personnel in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Two South African Air Force (SAAF) Rooivalks fired multiple 70 mm rocket salvos against M23 rebel bunkers close to the Rwandan border, while operating on behalf of the UN Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO).
The Roovivalks destroyed one rebel 14.5 mm anti-aircraft gun and dispersed forces in the area.
The SAAF deployed three Rooivalk helicopters to the DRC in late October, clearing them to begin operations on the day that this first contact took place.
South Africa fields 11 Rooivalk helicopters in all, operated by 16 Squadron based at Air Force Base Bloemspruit. It has previously declined to offer them for UN peacekeeping efforts in Africa because they were not fully operational. However, this changed in March when the fleet was brought up to a common Block 1F combat capable standard.
janes

SAAF Rooivalk looks set for DRC deployment

Just on 30 years after development work started on a home-grown attack helicopter, South Africa’s Rooivalk seems set for its first operational deployment.
This is the inference drawn from a photograph circulating on social media of a Rooivalk with its customary camouflaged fuselage replaced by white paint. The photo was taken at AFB Bloemspruit, home to the SA Air Force’s 16 Squadron, which operates 11 Rooivalks.
The sighting of the white combat support helicopter comes after SA National Defence Force (SANDF) Joint Operations Chief Lieutenant General derrick Mgwebi in August said South Africa had no say in whether the Rooivalk would be deployed to support the UN Forward Intervention Brigade (FIB) in the DRC.
At the time of publication no official confirmation of the Rooivalk DRC deployment had been received from the South African National Defence Force’s.
defenceweb

UN picks Falco UAS for Democratic Republic of Congo peacekeeping mission

Selex ES is to supply a Falco unmanned air system to support UN peacekeeping operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo, under a potentially five-year deal.
The UN on 1 August confirmed that its Department of Peacekeeping Operations has selected the European supplier for a requirement to support the MONUSCO mission. "The deployment of the UAV is planned in coming weeks," the organisation says, while describing the activity as a "trial use".
flightglobal