List of aircraft of the South African Air Force

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

Current aircraft

Further information: South African Air Force

These aircraft are in service as of 2023[1]

Aircraft Image Origin Type Variant Introduction In service Notes
Combat Aircraft
JAS 39 Gripen Sweden Multirole fighter C/D 2010 26[2] JAS 39C: 17

JAS 39D: 9

BAE Hawk United Kingdom / South Africa Fighter trainer Mk. 120 2006 24[3]
Tanker
KC-390 Millennium Brazil / South Africa Aerial refueling Planned SAAF has expressed interest in this aircraft[4]
Transport
C-130 Hercules United States Tactical airlifter BZ 1963 6[5] The remaining six of the nine received C-130BZ's are undergoing major upgrades as of October 2023[6]
C-47 Turbo Dakota United States Transport / electronic warfare Block II 1943 6 Modernised in the 1990s
CASA C-212 Aviocar Spain Transport 200/300 1994 2
Cessna 208 Caravan United States Utility / observation 208B 1988 7[7]
Super King Air United States Transport 1994 4
Pilatus PC-12 United States Transport 1997 1
Boeing 737 United States Presidential transport BBJ 2001 1
Citation II Spain VIP transport 1983 2
Falcon 900 France VIP transport 1992 1
Falcon 50 France VIP transport 1982 2
Helicopters
Atlas Oryx South Africa Transport Mk. II 1990 44[8]
AH-2 Rooivalk South Africa Attack Mk. I 1999 12[9]
MBB/Kawasaki BK 117 Japan

Germany

Utility 1994 6
Westland AW109 Italy Utility 2003 26[10]
Westland Super Lynx United Kingdom ASW Mk. 300 2007 4
Trainer Aircraft
Pilatus PC-7 Switzerland Basic trainer Mk. II 1994 56
UAV
Milkor 380 South Africa MALE UCAV 2024 5[11] 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.

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

See also *[[Denel Dynamics Seeker]]

Notes

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. ^ Martin, Guy (28 March 2023). "Extra R1 billion for SAAF to get C-130 Hercules airworthy". defenceWeb. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  6. ^ Martin, Guy (26 October 2023). "Armscor details SAAF C-130BZ Hercules upgrade progress". defenceWeb. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  7. ^ Engelbrecht, Leon (1 February 2010). "Fact file: Cessna C208 Caravan". defenceWeb. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  8. ^ Martin, Guy (1 February 2013). "South African National Defence Force". defenceWeb. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  9. ^ "- Denel Corporate Press Office". defenceWeb. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  10. ^ Martin, Guy (1 February 2013). "South African National Defence Force". defenceWeb. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  11. ^ Martin, Guy (25 November 2022). "First Milkor UAVs destined for South African use". defenceWeb. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu bv bw bx by bz ca cb cc cd ce cf cg ch ci cj ck cl cm cn co cp cq cr cs ct cu cv cw cx cy cz da db dc dd de df dg dh di dj dk dl dm "South African Air Force". Aeroflight. 9 April 2016.
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