List of aircraft of the South African Air Force

Ensign of the South African Air Force

Template:Short description Template:Use South African English Template:Use dmy dates The South African Air Force (SAAF) has operated a wide range of aircraft since its establishment in 1920. The fleet's core capabilities are built around its fighter, transport, maritime patrol, helicopter, and training aircraft. Key operational types include the JAS 39 Gripen, BAE Hawk, C-130 Hercules, Oryx and AW109 helicopter fleets, supported by various light transport, liaison, and VIP airframes.

Historically, the SAAF operated one of the largest and most capable fighter fleets in the Southern Hemisphere. Notable past aircraft include the 68 Atlas Cheetahs—South Africa's indigenous modernised variant of the Mirage III—and the 48 Mirage F1s, both of which formed the backbone of the country's air combat capability from the late 1970s through the early 2000s. Earlier eras also saw extensive fleets of Mirage III variants, Impalas, Sabres, Buccaneers, and Canberras.

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

Current aircraft

The South African Air Force operates a diverse mix of fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. Fleet total refers to the number of airframes that remain in the SAAF inventory, while in service refers to those that are currently operational or can be made airworthy. Aircraft listed as not in service include airframes of the same type that have been placed in long-term storage pending possible reactivation or sale, or airframes that were damaged in accidents but remain in inventory awaiting repair or disposal. The SAAF's current aircraft holdings are as follows:

• Aircraft (As per November 2025):
  • Fleet total: 277
  • In service: 199
  • On order: 5

Fixed-wing aircraft

Aircraft	Image	Origin	Type	Introduced	Fleet total	In service	Notes
JAS 39C/D Gripen		Template:SWE	Multi-role fighter	2008	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	25<ref name=":0" />	Service: 17 Gripen C and 9 Gripen D taken into service between 2008 and 2012, with one C variant written off and taken out of service following an accident in 2021 during maintenance.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
BAE Hawk Mk.120		Template:UK	Lead-in fighter and advanced trainer	2006	24<ref name=":0" />	22<ref name=":0" />	Service: 24 taken into service between 2006 and 2008, with two aircraft taken out of service amid safety concerns following light accidents.
Pilatus PC-7		Template:CHE	Primary trainer	1994 (Mk I) 2010 (Mk II)	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	35<ref name=":0" />	Service: Only 35 upgraded PC-7 Mk II Astra variants are in service, 25 older PC-7 Mk I variants are held in long-term storage due to limited pilot training.
Lockheed C-130BZ Hercules		Template:USA	Medium tactical airlifter	1963	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	6<ref name=":0" />	Service: Initially 9 C-130B taken into service and upgraded to BZ-standard in the late 1990s as part of Project Ebb.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> Two aircraft have been lost following crashes, with another cannibalised for parts.<ref name=":1" />
CASA C-212 Aviocar		Template:ESP	Light tactical airlifter	1994	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	3<ref name=":0" />	Service: Inherited in 1994 from the air wings of the former Transkei (2) and Venda (2) defence forces.
Douglas C-47-TP Turbo Dakota		Template:USA	Naval patrol aircraft	1943	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	5<ref name=":0" />	Service: Initially 47 taken into service, following the end of the Border War, the number of squadrons operating the Dakota was reduced, along with the disposal of some airframes. Some remaining 39 aircraft were modernised and converted in the 1990s with new PT6A Turboprop engines and modern avionics as part of Project Felstone.
Cessna 208 Caravan		Template:USA	Signals intelligence aircraft	1988	8<ref name=":0" />	8<ref name=":0" />	Service: Initially 12 aircraft were taken into service. 11 airframes were converted and fitted with a Argos 410-Z day/night reconnaissance system as part of Project Koiler. 4 out of the 12 aircraft have been written off and disposed of following crashes.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Pilatus PC-12		Template:CHE	Passenger and cargo aircraft	1997	1<ref name=":0" />	1<ref name=":0" />	Service: The SAAF has a single PC-12 for use as a passenger and light-cargo transport aircraft. The aircraft has been employed primarily on liaison flights, personnel movement, and small-load logistics missions.
Super King Air		Template:USA	Passenger and cargo aircraft	1981	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	2<ref name=":0" />	Service: Super King Air aircraft remain in service supporting light transport missions, medical evacuation, training, and general utility tasks. Some airframes were withdrawn from service following structural fatigue and sustainment challenges.
Boeing 737 (BBJ)		Template:USA	VIP transport aircraft	2001	1<ref name=":0" />	1<ref name=":0" />	Service: The sole Boeing 737 BBJ entered service in 2001 as the SAAF's long-range VIP transport aircraft. It supports presidential and ministerial flights, regional diplomatic missions, and strategic long-distance travel.
Cessna Citation II		Template:USA	VIP transport aircraft	1983	2<ref name=":0" />	2<ref name=":0" />	Service: Two Citation aircraft were introduced into service in 1994 to provide short-to-medium range VIP transport capability fulfilling staff transport, liaison, and executive travel roles.
Dassault Falcon 50		Template:FRA	VIP transport aircraft	1982	2<ref name=":0" />	2<ref name=":0" />	Service: Two Falcon 50 aircraft were acquired for long-range VIP and government transport duties.
Dassault Falcon 900		Template:FRA	VIP transport aircraft	1992	1<ref name=":0" />	1<ref name=":0" />	Service: The SAAF's single Falcon 900 were acquired to supplement the VIP fleet. The aircraft is used for high-priority governmental travel and diplomatic missions.

Rotary-wing aircraft

Aircraft	Image	Origin	Type	Introduced	Fleet total	In service	Notes
Denel AH-2 Rooivalk		Template:ZAF	Attack helicopter	2011	11<ref name=":0" />	11<ref name=":0" />	Service: 12 taken into service between 2011 and 2012 with one aircraft damaged in an accident and written off upon delivery.
Atlas Oryx		Template:ZAF	Medium helicopter	1990	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	37<ref name=":0" />	Service: Initially 51 aircraft were taken into service. In 2006, Project Drummer II upgraded 39 airframes, with only these modernised examples remaining in service and the rest in long-term storage. In 2025, two airframes were written off following crashes.
AgustaWestland AW109		Template:ITA	Utility helicopter	2003	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	24<ref name=":0" />	Service: Initially 30 aircraft were taken into service under Project Flange, with 25 assembled in South Africa and 5 in Italy. In recent years, some airframes have been written off following crashes.
MBB/Kawasaki BK 117		Template:DEUTemplate:JPN	Utility helicopter	1994	8<ref name=":0" />	8<ref name=":0" />	Service: Inherited in 1994 from the air wings of the former Ciskei (3), Transkei (2), Venda (2), and Bophuthatswana (2) defence forces. One lost in crash in 2003.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Westland Super Lynx 300 Mk.64		Template:UK	ASW helicopter	2007	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	4<ref name=":0" />	Service: One each embarked on the South African Navy's Valour-class frigates.

UAVs

Aircraft	Image	Origin	Type	Introduced	Fleet total	In service	Notes
Milkor 380		Template:ZAF	MALE UCAV	—	(+5)	On order	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> Production is set to double from 8 systems per year by up to 16 per year starting by 2026.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Historic aircraft no longer in service

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