Air force capability demonstration 2017

6th July 2017

     

Font size: - +

From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, this is the Real Economy Report.

Sashnee Moodley: The South African air force conducted its annual live fire capability demonstration last month, in which primary air borne military assets flexed their muscle. Reporting from the air forces purpose-built bomb range was Dylan Slater, who tells us more.

Dylan Slater:
The Roodewal Weapons Range in Polokwane, Limpopo is host to a yearly, or twice yearly, private display of weapons and air force asset capability, in which the primary air defence and attack weaponry is run through its paces.

The South African air force is one of the top in Africa and compares well with other air forces from developing nations, with a number of key pieces of equipment. These include the Saab JAS39 Gripen fighter jet, which the air force could use for reconnaissance, attack and air intervention of border incursion. The Gripen can be armed with several types of bombs, including those up to 240 kg, missiles or a Mauser 27 mm cannon.

The Gripen can operate at just under mach 2.

Also top on the list of primary assets is the BAE Hawk, which the air force uses primarily for fast-jet training of pilots. Although slower and less agile than the Gripen, the Hawk can also be used as a lead-in fighter with the mounting of various types of bombs or a 30 mm cannon for close-ground support.

Concluding the air power capability demonstration, South African Air force brigadier general Kobus Butler tells us about the aircraft involved with the demonstration

SAAF Brigadier General Kobus Butler

Dylan Slater:
The Air Power Capability Demonstration is a significant calendar event for the Air Force, and indeed the South African Defence Force in general, because many facets of the defence force come together to produce a seamless demonstration of the capabilities of the South African military service. Butler runs us through the main objectives of the demonstration and plans for next year’s event.

SAAF Brigadier General Kobus Butler
 

Dylan Slater:
Such air force demonstrations also serve to prepare troops, pilots and air personnel for combat, defence and peace-keeping operations as they represent a degree of real-life scenarios.

SAAF Brigadier General Kobus Butler
 

Dylan Slater:
The air force also encourages youth through its National Student Programme by inviting them to such events to experience what a career in the defence might be like.

SAAF Brigadier General Kobus Butler
 

Dylan Slater:
Like every other Air Power Capability Demonstration of the South African Air Force, many foreign air force dignitaries and personnel were in attendance. Butler explains why…

SAAF Brigadier General Kobus Butler
 

Sashnee Moodley:
Other news making headlines:
Ekurhuleni to invest R2.2-billion in energy infrastructure
And, company brings consulting engineering into digital age

The city of Ekurhuleni has committed R2.2-billion to invest in energy infrastructure over the next three years.
Ekurhuleni mayor Mzwandile Masina
 

With advanced technologies replacing pen-and-paper approaches across all industries, engineering and project management consultancy Royal HaskoningDHV South Africa MD Salani Sithole stresses that consulting engineering companies must find ways to embrace the era of digitalisation in their operations or risk becoming obsolete.
Royal HaskoningDHV South Africa MD Salani Sithole
 

Sashnee Moodley:
That’s Creamer Media’s Real Economy Report. Join us again next week for more news and insight into South Africa’s real economy.

Edited by Creamer Media Reporter

Comments

The functionality you are trying to access is only available to subscribers.

If you are already a subscriber, you can Login Here.

If you are not a subscriber, you can subscribe now, by selecting one of the below options.

For more information or assistance, please contact us at subscriptions@creamermedia.co.za.

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION