
South African Air Force facts for kids
South African Air Force | |
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![]() The SAAF Ensign
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Active | South African Air Force 1 Feb 1920 |
Country | South Africa |
Branch | Air Force |
Role | Air supremacy, Air defense |
Size | 226 Aircraft 11,245 (Active personnel) 831 (Reserve Personnel) |
Part of | South African National Defence Force |
Motto(s) | Latin: Per Aspera Ad Astra (Through adversity to the stars) |
Battle honours |
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Commanders | |
Chief of the Air Force | Lt Gen Fabian Msimang |
Aircraft flown | |
Attack | Rooivalk |
Electronic warfare |
Oryx EW, C-47TP ELINT |
Fighter | Gripen C/D |
Patrol | C-47TP, Lynx 300 |
Trainer | PC-7, Hawk |
Transport |
C-47TP, C-130BZ, Oryx, Agusta A109, CASA 212, Cessna Caravan |
The South African Air Force (SAAF) is the air force of the South African National Defence Force.
The South African Air Force goes back to 1912, when the Union Defence Force (UDF) was created. The UDF had included the South African Aviation Corps (SAAC), which was part of the Active Citizen Force (ACF). On 1 February 1920, the South African Air Force was created. The SAAF fought in several battles during World War II, the Korean War, and the South African Border War.
Strength
The South African Air Force has about 226 aircraft and 11,245 active military personnel. The aircraft are mostly European-made. However some, such as the Denel Rooivalk and the Atlas Oryx were designed and built in South Africa. The Swedish Saab JAS 39 Gripen is the standard aircraft of the Air Force.
Images for kids
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Saab JAS-39 Gripen of 2 Squadron SAAF in flight over Pretoria
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Hawk 120 aircraft conducting a security simulation over Air Force Base Swartkop in preparation for the 2010 FIFA World Cup
