Israel offers upgrade package for South Africa’s Gripens

The South African Air Force has been offered enhanced capabilities for its Gripen fighter aircraft with a suit of new advanced systems developed by Israeli company Rafael.
The Israeli company's offers a concept that it claims can bring fighter aircraft to a an advanced 4.5 generation standard by upgrading the different systems.
The concept is being evaluated by the Indian Air Force for its Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) fighter aircraft.
The upgrade suit that according to Rafael can enhance the fighter aircraft's capabilities to a 4.5 generation standard includes the Rafael BNET which is an advanced IP Mobile Ad-hoc Network Software Defined Radio (SDR) for tactical operations. According to Rafael It offers unique high spectrum efficiency, as well as cognitive capabilities.
The upgrade package may also include two types of Israeli developed air-air missiles - the IR Python 5 and the I-Derby ER radar-guided 100 km range missile.
The South African Air Force’s Gripens are already equipped with the Rafael Litening 3 targeting pod. The upgrade proposed by Rafael includes enhancing the Litening to its 4.1 version.
Rafael has been working closely with the Swedish manufacturer Saab to offer the upgrade package to users of the Gripen.
defenceweb

Airbus talking to SAAF on A400M, A330MRTT and C295

Airbus is briefing the South African Air Force (SAAF) on several of its aircraft, namely the A330MRTT, A400M and C295, to meet various potential requirements for surveillance, cargo and tanking/VIP transport.
The A330MRTT is actively being marketed as a tanker with a dual VIP capability while the C295 is aimed at meeting the SAAF’s maritime surveillance/patrol requirements and the A400M is being offered as a C-130 Hercules replacement.
Airbus Military said that while there is currently no South African C-130 replacement programme at the moment, Airbus is keeping the SAAF and Department of Defence abreast of A400M developments.
The SAAF C-130BZ Hercules fleet is nearing the end of its service life. Out of nine aircraft in service, only around three are usually operational at any given time. The SAAF is believed to be exploring various options for a Hercules replacement, including new generation C-130J Super Hercules and the A400M - it was reported late last year that Germany was offering South Africa some of its production slots – of the 53 aircraft it has on order, Germany plans to sell 13 due to financial constraints.
The South African Department of Defence originally ordered eight A400Ms but cancelled the order in 2009. Denel Aerostructures and Aerosud continue to make components for Airbus in spite of the cancellation and recently received further work packages. Airbus remains confident that an order for the A400M may be forthcoming.
The A400M is being offered as a tactical transport able to carry up to 37 tons of cargo almost directly to where it is needed. In order to meet the SAAF’s tanking and other transport requirements, Airbus is proposing the A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT). Airbus believes that in light of South Africa’s external commitments on the continent, the A330MRTT makes a lot of sense as it is the only way the SAAF could deploy its Gripen fighters over long distances.
When the SAAF attempted to provide air support during the Battle of Bangui in the Central African Republic (CAR) in March 2013, the four Gripens had to make refuelling stops along the way, slowing their progress.
defenceweb

SAAF looking at C-130, KC-390, C-295 and C-27J for airlift

South Africa National Defence Force has its eyes on two possible types to replace its ageing C-130BZ fleet.
SAAF is considering the C-130 or the KC-390 and the C-27J or C-295 to replace the C-47TP and probably also the C-212. .
defenceweb

Brazilian air force Could Acquire up to 108 Gripen

A leading Brazilian air force figure has confirmed that 108 Saab Gripen NG multi-role fighters will be acquired for the force.
Following the announcement in October that a $5.8 billion contract had been signed for the first batch of 36 aircraft, an air force representative confirmed that the full requirement will be for 108 airframes.
The Gripen will initially replace Dassault Mirage 2000C fighters that have already been retired, and eventually the Northrop F-5EM and Alenia/Embraer A-1M aircraft that are still in service.
The 108 will be delivered in three batches, and although it has not yet been decided how many of these will be single-seater and how many will be two-seater aircraft, under the terms of the October contract eight of the first batch of 36 will be two-seat variants.
Brazil has been in discussions with the US Navy regarding the ideal mix of single- and two-seater aircraft that the force needs, plus it has been talking to the South African air force, which also operates the Gripen.
Fifteen of the first batch will be wholly built in Brazil, while the other 21 will be made by Brazilian and Swedish engineers.
The Gripen will also have the indigenous-built Mectron MAR-1 air-to-surface/air-to-air anti-radiation missile on board.
flightglobal

SAAF Hawk fleet grounded

The South African Air Force has ground their Hawk trainer fleet following the crash of a jet whilst landing last Thursday.
The BAE Systems Hawk Mk 120 jet trainer, operated by 85 Combat Flying School, was performing a ‘touch and go’ at AFB Makhado when it experienced a control problem.
Unconfirmed reports indicate that the control stick ‘locked’ shortly before touch-down, resulting in the aircraft slamming the front wheel onto the runway, bouncing and then hitting the runway again with the front wheel. This resulted in the front wheel breaking off and the Hawk sliding down the runway before coming to a halt.
Neither of the two crew aboard, who deploying the drag chute after the nose-wheel broke off in order to slow the aircraft, were injured.
As the damaged aircraft blocked the runway, other aircraft that were still in the air were forced to land on the taxiway. This was safely accomplished as when the airbase was built in the 1980’s, the taxiway was designed to operate as a secondary runway in the event of the main runway being blocked or damaged.
AFB Makhado is situated near the town of Louis Trichardt in the Limpopo Province. 85 Combat Flying School is equipped with the remaining 23 Lead-In Fighter Trainer (LIFT) Hawk jets of the 24 delivered as part of the 1999 Strategic Defence Package (SDP).
The other flying squadron operating from the base is 2 Squadron, equipped with the SAAB Gripen advanced fighter.
saairforce

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

SAAF jets aren’t in storage

The fuel is only R11 a litre but it costs about R135 400 an hour to keep a Gripen fighter jet in the air.
The Hawk trainer fighter jets are a bit cheaper, at about R82 900 per flying hour.
This was divulged by General John Bayne at the Arms Procurement Commission on Tuesday.
Bayne is the director of combat systems for the South African Air Force, responsible for the Gripen and Hawk systems.
Bayne said the “dry costs” (without fuel) for a Gripen were R104 600 per flying hour and fuel cost R30 800, giving a total “wet cost” of R135 400. Hawks fly at a dry cost of R67 500, with fuel costs of R15 400 and a total cost of R82 900.
The SAAF bought 26 Gripen fighter jets and 24 Hawk trainer fighters in the 1999 arms deal, which the commission is investigating.
iol.co.za

SAAF to sell planes?

The South African National Defense Force is reportedly considering selling off its Gripen fighter planes and its Agusta A109 helicopters as it has no money to operate them.
news.iafrica

SAAF has no Gripen support contract

The South African Air Force (SAAF) has no support contract with Saab to maintain its fleet of Gripen fighter jets as previous support contracts have expired.
defenceweb

Gripen Fighter Weapon School could be located in Thailand

The fact that Saab’s Gripen Fighter Weapon School will most likely be located in a foreign country is a missed opportunity for South Africa, according to Saab.
President of Saab South Africa, told the School was planned to be housed at Air Force Base Overberg in the Western Cape. However, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has not supported this initiative.
Saab is looking elsewhere in the world and is ready to begin construction of the School and start training. Countries like Thailand being good potential hosts.
defenceweb

Final Rooivalk Handover Cements Relationship Between Denel and SAAF

CEO of Denel Aviation says the acceptance of the locally developed combat support helicopter marks the culmination of a 26 year partnership between the SAAF and Denel. “We took this proudly South African aircraft through all its stages – from design to manufacturing, upgrading and retrofitting – to the point where it will soon be deployed.
Denel will continue to be involved with the Rooivalk through on-going maintenance and repair services and providing the continued airworthiness engineering support to ensure the fleet of 11 helicopters remains mission ready.

defencetalk

12 SAAF Gripens mothballed

Twelve Gripen fighter jets that were bought as part of the controversial arms deal more than a decade ago by South Africa are being kept in mothballs.
This was revealed by Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula on Tuesday.

There are only six qualified pilots and the squadron flew around 150 hours due to budget cuts.
iol.co.za

SAAF has “miniscule” maritime capability

The South African Air Force’s miniscule airborne maritime capability has become even more miniscule, according to defence analyst Helmoed Römer Heitman.

This follows the tragic loss of the “Gooney Bird” C-47TP Turbo Dakota in the Drakensberg mountains in December, and the writing off (as a Category Five loss) of another C-47TP following a landing incident at Umtata airport in November.

Unofficial sources indicated there are now nine C-47s in the SAAF’s inventory. No official figures were available from the South African Air Force, despite repeated requests since mid-December, on the number of converted C-47 aircraft still in service at AFB Ysterplaat’s 35 Squadron. Five of these are configured for maritime patrol operations, two for transport, one as a transport/photographic platform and the remaining one set up for electronic warfare. According to the Squadron website it originally had 11 of the turbo power plant engined aircraft.

defenceweb

La Fuerza Aérea Sudafricana realiza labores de vigilancia durante la Copa del Mundo de Fútbol 2010/ SAAF 41 Squadron supports the Soccer World Cup

La Fuerza Aérea Sudafricana ha sido requerida para proteger el espacio aéreo durante la celebración del Mundial de Fútbol 2010, operación Kgwele. Para ello la SAAF dispone de una gran variedad de aeronaves como los Gripen, Hawk, helicópteros de ataque Rooivalk y otros helicópteros como el Oryx y el Agusta A109.
Sin embargo uno de los aviones mas utilizados silenciosamente para vigilancia de estadios es el Cessna C208 Caravan del 41 Squadron, con base en AFB Waterkloof. Han sido dotados de cámaras de reconocimiento Carl Zeiss Optronics Argos 410-Z.
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The South African Air Force (SAAF) is required to protect and safeguard the airspace around the 2010 Soccer World Cup venues. Under Operation Kgwele, the SANDF's World Cup support plan, the SAAF has an array of aircraft on duty for the event, including the missile and cannon armed Gripen fighter, cannon-fitted Hawk advanced trainers and gun-toting Rooivalk attack helicopters, supported by the Astra trainer and Oryx and Agusta A109 helicopters.
However, one aircraft is operating quietly over the fan parks and stadiums, keeping an eye out for trouble makers: the Cessna C208 Caravan of 41 Squadron, based at AFB Waterkloof near Centurion, has deployed around the country for Operation Kgwele. The main role of the Caravan is to perform surveillance, reconnaissance, and other observation missions. The key piece of equipment aboard the Caravan is the Carl Zeiss Optronics Argos 410-Z.
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SIGUEN LAS ENTREGAS DE GRIPEN A SUDÁFRICA/ The SAAF received a additional four new Gripen C fighter aircraft

Los nuevos Gripen llegaron a bordo del buque Achtergracht al puerto de Bay Harbour, desde Norrkoping, Suecia.
La Fuerza Aérea Sudafricana ya dispone de los nueve biplazas Gripen y los cuatro monoplazas recibidos se unirán a los dos recibidos en febrero. Serán utilizados para vigilancia del espacio aéreo durante la Copa Mundial de Fútbol 2010.
El peedido de Sudáfrica es por nueve monoplazas Gripen D y 17. El primero fue entregado en Abril de 200, y el total equipará el 2 Squadron en la base de AFB Makhado.
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Gripen arrived on board the cargo vessel Achtergracht. The four aircraft were offloaded in Table Bay Harbour. They had been loaded onboard the vessel at the port of Norrkoping in Sweden.
The single seat aircraft, serials 3912 to 3915, were then towed the 8km from the harbour to AFB Ysterplaat in two convoys of two aircraft each.
With all nine dual-seat Gripen D aircraft already delivered, these four aircraft will join the first two Gripen Cs that arrived on 11 February this year. The Gripen will play a key part in the air force's plans to safeguard the airspace above the stadiums during the 2010 Soccer World Cup.
The original order was for nine Gripen D dual-seat and 19 Gripen C single-seat aircraft. However, the order was revised in 2005 to nine dual-seat and seventeen single-seat aircraft. The first instrumented Gripen D was delivered in April 2008 and is based at the SAAF's Test flight and Development Centre near Bredasdorp in the southern Cape. The balance of the aircraft is assigned to 2 Squadron at AFB Makhado in the Limpopo province.
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