South African defence minister admits aircraft shortages

South African defence minister admits aircraft shortages

South African Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula confirmed on 20 March that the air force's 35 Squadron, its only maritime patrol unit, was grounded for a time due to problems with the primary flight controls of its C-47TP aircraft.

Mapisa-Nqakula was responding to a question submitted by a parliamentarian in November 2016 and Jane's has been told that some C-47TP's have now been returned to service.

She also confirmed that the South African Air Force (SAAF) has only six of its nine C-130 Hercules transport aircraft listed as operational, and only three of those are currently serviceable.

The grounding of all seven C-47TP left South Africa for a time with no aerial surveillance of its 3,924 km coastline or 1.08 million km 2 exclusive economic zone (EEZ).


http://www.janes.com/article/69003/south-african-defence-minister-admits-aircraft-shortages