Free Republic

South Africa’s reputation as top gun when it comes to air power in the southern African region could be shot down by Angola and its powerful new Russian fighters. The west African country is set to take delivery of the first tranche of Sukhoi Su-30K fighters in the next six months and will have 12 in service by the end of next year. Gauteng Afrikaans daily Beeld approached military analyst Helmoed Heitman, retired SAAF and Indian Air Force pilot colonel Rama Iyer and a former officer commanding 2 Squadron for their views on how the SA Air Force’s (SAAF) Gripens...

Success of A-Darter programme opens way for two more SA-Brazil projects By: Keith Campbell 22nd July 2011 The Brazilian Navy is negotiating with South Africa on the joint development of a new version of the Umkhonto (‘spear’) naval surface- to-air missile (SAM). These are official talks, designed to establish the official framework within which the joint development programme would take place. In addition, there are less advanced discussions under way between Brazil and South Africa concerning the development of an SAM version of the A-Darter air-to-air missile (AAM), which would be for the Brazilian Army. The Umkhonto is a product...