jets. This aspect of the deal was a pricey one, but with that price tag came an aircraft that has done a lot of heavy lifting in its relatively short life.

Gripen jets were responsible for providing general air interdiction and patrol responsibilities during the 2010 World Cup, flying on a near-constant basis before, during and after each game. At the end of the tournament, the jets had contributed to several mid-air interdictions that prevented planes from entering prohibited air space. In 2013, four Gripens were deployed at only a few days’ notice with smart bombs and reconnaissance pods to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to provide air support to SANDF troops in Bangui.

Beyond this, the Gripen maintains a constant force projection for the SANDF that cannot beexpensive Arms Deal planes. However, as of 2016 the SAAF has at least 14 pilots, dispersed around the force, ready to jump into the cockpit and fly, with more ready to come through the conversion course if needed. When you consider that the defence force has been critically underfunded for nearly a dozen years in a row, the ability to even put planes in the air is a remarkable logistics feat.

BAE Hawk Mk120

The Hawk jets (24 bought) replaced the old SAAF Impala jet trainers. Although a major cloud of discontent persists over just which jet was chosen for procurement, the reality was that a new trainer jet capable of quickly being used in a combat role was a dire need. The Impalas were remnants of the Cold War,