Dean Wingrin
@deanwingrin.bsky.social
Aviation and defense journalist, author, photographer, defenceWeb correspondent and general raconteur.
Recent interactions between the Parliamentary Joint Standing Com on Defence (JSCD) and the SANDF has revealed a serious breakdown in trust between the two parties.
This has serious implications for the civil-military relationship in South Africa and is a very worrying trend.
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This has serious implications for the civil-military relationship in South Africa and is a very worrying trend.
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December 17, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Recent interactions between the Parliamentary Joint Standing Com on Defence (JSCD) and the SANDF has revealed a serious breakdown in trust between the two parties.
This has serious implications for the civil-military relationship in South Africa and is a very worrying trend.
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This has serious implications for the civil-military relationship in South Africa and is a very worrying trend.
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Rwanda-backed AFC/M23 rebels on Wednesday took control of the strategically important town of Uvira (pop 700,000) in eastern DRC.
The rebels have been on a major offensive since January this year. Peace treaties involving the Congolese, Rwanda and AFC/M23 have not brought peace.
The rebels have been on a major offensive since January this year. Peace treaties involving the Congolese, Rwanda and AFC/M23 have not brought peace.
December 10, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Rwanda-backed AFC/M23 rebels on Wednesday took control of the strategically important town of Uvira (pop 700,000) in eastern DRC.
The rebels have been on a major offensive since January this year. Peace treaties involving the Congolese, Rwanda and AFC/M23 have not brought peace.
The rebels have been on a major offensive since January this year. Peace treaties involving the Congolese, Rwanda and AFC/M23 have not brought peace.
After skipping 2025, the next Armed Forces Day Parade and Wreath Laying Ceremony will be held in Thohoyandou, Limpopo Province on Saturday 21 February 2026.
The SANDF puts on a great display, with a large Parade, flypasts, and various capability demos and exhibitions.
The SANDF puts on a great display, with a large Parade, flypasts, and various capability demos and exhibitions.
December 4, 2025 at 8:39 AM
After skipping 2025, the next Armed Forces Day Parade and Wreath Laying Ceremony will be held in Thohoyandou, Limpopo Province on Saturday 21 February 2026.
The SANDF puts on a great display, with a large Parade, flypasts, and various capability demos and exhibitions.
The SANDF puts on a great display, with a large Parade, flypasts, and various capability demos and exhibitions.
The Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans is having a joint briefing today by the SA Navy and Armscor on the status of the Armscor Dockyard.
What was meant to be a public presentation was made private at the last minute.
Things must not be well at the Dockyard.
What was meant to be a public presentation was made private at the last minute.
Things must not be well at the Dockyard.
December 3, 2025 at 11:17 AM
The Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans is having a joint briefing today by the SA Navy and Armscor on the status of the Armscor Dockyard.
What was meant to be a public presentation was made private at the last minute.
Things must not be well at the Dockyard.
What was meant to be a public presentation was made private at the last minute.
Things must not be well at the Dockyard.
Five arrested for sending men to Russia
Clement Manyathela of Radio 702 speaks to Col Mogale, Hawks spokesperson and Dean Wingrin, a Defence Analyst about the suspects arrested in connection with the luring of South Africans to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war.
www.primediaplus.com/five-arreste...
Clement Manyathela of Radio 702 speaks to Col Mogale, Hawks spokesperson and Dean Wingrin, a Defence Analyst about the suspects arrested in connection with the luring of South Africans to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war.
www.primediaplus.com/five-arreste...
Five arrested for sending men to Russia
Primedia+ is your brand-new online content hub, home to the iconic radio stations you love 947, 702, Kfm, CapeTalk, and EWN all in one convenient location. It's more than just radio and news, it's an ...
www.primediaplus.com
December 1, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Five arrested for sending men to Russia
Clement Manyathela of Radio 702 speaks to Col Mogale, Hawks spokesperson and Dean Wingrin, a Defence Analyst about the suspects arrested in connection with the luring of South Africans to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war.
www.primediaplus.com/five-arreste...
Clement Manyathela of Radio 702 speaks to Col Mogale, Hawks spokesperson and Dean Wingrin, a Defence Analyst about the suspects arrested in connection with the luring of South Africans to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war.
www.primediaplus.com/five-arreste...
BREAKING: Four men were arrested by the South African Police Service at Johannesburg airport yesterday (Friday), as they were about to depart for Russia. It is suspected that they were going to join the Russian army in its invasion of Ukraine. More arrests are expected.
November 29, 2025 at 2:17 PM
BREAKING: Four men were arrested by the South African Police Service at Johannesburg airport yesterday (Friday), as they were about to depart for Russia. It is suspected that they were going to join the Russian army in its invasion of Ukraine. More arrests are expected.
Lots of talk about charging the people responsible for the 17 MK Party affiliated men who found themselves fighting obo Russia in Ukraine. I'm guessing that charges will mainly relate to anti-mercenary and anti-human trafficking legislation.
A🧵on my uneducated observations.
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A🧵on my uneducated observations.
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November 28, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Lots of talk about charging the people responsible for the 17 MK Party affiliated men who found themselves fighting obo Russia in Ukraine. I'm guessing that charges will mainly relate to anti-mercenary and anti-human trafficking legislation.
A🧵on my uneducated observations.
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A🧵on my uneducated observations.
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Still no official feedback from Denel’s AGM today. Watching closely for updates as the state-owned defence group pushes through its turnaround phase. All senior management positions have now been filled and has strong support from its new shareholder, the Dept of Defence.
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November 27, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Still no official feedback from Denel’s AGM today. Watching closely for updates as the state-owned defence group pushes through its turnaround phase. All senior management positions have now been filled and has strong support from its new shareholder, the Dept of Defence.
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Project Hoefyster, to replace the Ratel ICV with the New Generation Infantry Combat Vehicle (NGICV), has faced years of delay in both development and production due to technical, financial, managerial and contractor-related challenges.
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November 26, 2025 at 10:28 AM
Project Hoefyster, to replace the Ratel ICV with the New Generation Infantry Combat Vehicle (NGICV), has faced years of delay in both development and production due to technical, financial, managerial and contractor-related challenges.
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Defence analyst Dean Wingrin alleges there is a voice note appealing to the SA men stuck in the Russia-Ukraine war to remain there, otherwise they will be going against MK Party wishes.
Newzroom Afrika
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWBt...
Newzroom Afrika
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWBt...
SA men caught up in Russia-Ukraine war
YouTube video by Newzroom Afrika
www.youtube.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Defence analyst Dean Wingrin alleges there is a voice note appealing to the SA men stuck in the Russia-Ukraine war to remain there, otherwise they will be going against MK Party wishes.
Newzroom Afrika
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWBt...
Newzroom Afrika
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWBt...
Lovely flyby of SAAF CASA C212-300, at Exercise VUKUHLOME, SA Army Combat Training Centre within the Lohatlha Military Area, Northern Cape. The 2025 edition is a brigade level exercise and is due to finish at the end of this month.
November 22, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Lovely flyby of SAAF CASA C212-300, at Exercise VUKUHLOME, SA Army Combat Training Centre within the Lohatlha Military Area, Northern Cape. The 2025 edition is a brigade level exercise and is due to finish at the end of this month.
Reports of foreigners, including those from Africa, being lured to Russia under false pretenses and ending up working in drone factories or even worse, fighting on the front line, is nothing new. Been going on for more than a year. Research before going.
www.france24.com/en/europe/20...
www.france24.com/en/europe/20...
‘Pawns in Putin’s war game’: African women lured into drone factories
Russia has been accused of making false promises to recruit young women from across Africa to work in drone-assembling factories. The women were coerced into assembling Shahed-136 kamikaze drones in…
www.france24.com
November 22, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Reports of foreigners, including those from Africa, being lured to Russia under false pretenses and ending up working in drone factories or even worse, fighting on the front line, is nothing new. Been going on for more than a year. Research before going.
www.france24.com/en/europe/20...
www.france24.com/en/europe/20...
Good news for SAAF fire fighters! The SANDF/Minister has withdrawn its application for leave to appeal the order for reinstatement of allowances for fire fighters. Thus, the Court order stands and the DoD has 30 days to reinstate the allowances, retrospectively to April 2022.
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November 20, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Good news for SAAF fire fighters! The SANDF/Minister has withdrawn its application for leave to appeal the order for reinstatement of allowances for fire fighters. Thus, the Court order stands and the DoD has 30 days to reinstate the allowances, retrospectively to April 2022.
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28 Squadron, SAAF, and parabats at Exercise VUKUHLOME IV, Nov 2025.
November 16, 2025 at 5:02 PM
28 Squadron, SAAF, and parabats at Exercise VUKUHLOME IV, Nov 2025.
Parliament Raises Concerns Over Gap Between SANDF Morale Survey and Soldiers’ Realities
Defence journalist Dean Wingrin joins @Tessa_Dooms to unpack the discrepancies and what they mean for the future of the force, on @Powerfm987
omny.fm/shows/power-...
Defence journalist Dean Wingrin joins @Tessa_Dooms to unpack the discrepancies and what they mean for the future of the force, on @Powerfm987
omny.fm/shows/power-...
Parliament Raises Concerns Over Gap Between SANDF Morale Survey and Soldiers’ Realities - POWER Perspective
Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Defence has raised concerns over a widening gap between the SANDF’s 2024/25 Defence Morale Survey and the real conditions experienced by soldiers on the ground...
omny.fm
November 14, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Parliament Raises Concerns Over Gap Between SANDF Morale Survey and Soldiers’ Realities
Defence journalist Dean Wingrin joins @Tessa_Dooms to unpack the discrepancies and what they mean for the future of the force, on @Powerfm987
omny.fm/shows/power-...
Defence journalist Dean Wingrin joins @Tessa_Dooms to unpack the discrepancies and what they mean for the future of the force, on @Powerfm987
omny.fm/shows/power-...
Reposted by Dean Wingrin
It’s always a pleasure to read Dean’s South African defence budget breakdowns. They’re clear guides to the key elements and a must-read.
In this, Dean shows how a R1.8 billion ‘increase’ actually doesn’t necessarily improve operational capacity as much as you’d think.
In this, Dean shows how a R1.8 billion ‘increase’ actually doesn’t necessarily improve operational capacity as much as you’d think.
The Medium Term Budget Policy Statement was released today. The Department of Defence’s adjusted budget for 2025/26 rises to R59.07 billion, an increase of R1.89 billion from the original allocation.
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November 13, 2025 at 3:06 PM
It’s always a pleasure to read Dean’s South African defence budget breakdowns. They’re clear guides to the key elements and a must-read.
In this, Dean shows how a R1.8 billion ‘increase’ actually doesn’t necessarily improve operational capacity as much as you’d think.
In this, Dean shows how a R1.8 billion ‘increase’ actually doesn’t necessarily improve operational capacity as much as you’d think.
The Medium Term Budget Policy Statement was released today. The Department of Defence’s adjusted budget for 2025/26 rises to R59.07 billion, an increase of R1.89 billion from the original allocation.
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November 12, 2025 at 1:34 PM
The Medium Term Budget Policy Statement was released today. The Department of Defence’s adjusted budget for 2025/26 rises to R59.07 billion, an increase of R1.89 billion from the original allocation.
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Large fires burning on the Heuningberg Mountain above Bredasdorp in the Southern Cape.
A #SAAF Oryx of 22 Squadron has just departed AFB Ysterplaat to assist with aerial firefighting efforts.
A #SAAF Oryx of 22 Squadron has just departed AFB Ysterplaat to assist with aerial firefighting efforts.
November 7, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Large fires burning on the Heuningberg Mountain above Bredasdorp in the Southern Cape.
A #SAAF Oryx of 22 Squadron has just departed AFB Ysterplaat to assist with aerial firefighting efforts.
A #SAAF Oryx of 22 Squadron has just departed AFB Ysterplaat to assist with aerial firefighting efforts.
Airlink’s daily flights between Johannesburg and Maseru will resume tomorrow morning (Fri 07 Nov 2025).
This follows confirmation by the Lesotho authorities that suitable fire and rescue equipment has been sourced for Moshoeshoe I International Airport.
This follows confirmation by the Lesotho authorities that suitable fire and rescue equipment has been sourced for Moshoeshoe I International Airport.
Airlink has suspended daily flights between Johannesburg and Maseru due to the lack of serviceable fire and rescue equipment at Moshoeshoe I International Airport. Normal sevices will resume as soon as the airport operator has restored the regulated emergency response capability.
November 6, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Airlink’s daily flights between Johannesburg and Maseru will resume tomorrow morning (Fri 07 Nov 2025).
This follows confirmation by the Lesotho authorities that suitable fire and rescue equipment has been sourced for Moshoeshoe I International Airport.
This follows confirmation by the Lesotho authorities that suitable fire and rescue equipment has been sourced for Moshoeshoe I International Airport.
Airlink has suspended daily flights between Johannesburg and Maseru due to the lack of serviceable fire and rescue equipment at Moshoeshoe I International Airport. Normal sevices will resume as soon as the airport operator has restored the regulated emergency response capability.
November 5, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Airlink has suspended daily flights between Johannesburg and Maseru due to the lack of serviceable fire and rescue equipment at Moshoeshoe I International Airport. Normal sevices will resume as soon as the airport operator has restored the regulated emergency response capability.
SAAF CL-13B Sabre Mk 6 372, painted in the colours of a F-86F-30 Sabre 601 used by 2 Squadron, SAAF, during the Korean War.
SAAF Museum, AFB Ysterplaat, Cape Town.
SAAF Museum, AFB Ysterplaat, Cape Town.
November 5, 2025 at 2:03 PM
SAAF CL-13B Sabre Mk 6 372, painted in the colours of a F-86F-30 Sabre 601 used by 2 Squadron, SAAF, during the Korean War.
SAAF Museum, AFB Ysterplaat, Cape Town.
SAAF Museum, AFB Ysterplaat, Cape Town.
Reposted by Dean Wingrin
100% with Dean here.
Restoring the C47-TPs to flight was never going to be a real solution anyway, and South Africa’s maritime patrol and search & rescue requirements demand an extremely long-range and capable type or set of types.
It won’t be cheap, but neither is not having maritime control.
Restoring the C47-TPs to flight was never going to be a real solution anyway, and South Africa’s maritime patrol and search & rescue requirements demand an extremely long-range and capable type or set of types.
It won’t be cheap, but neither is not having maritime control.
Sad news for the SAAF's C47-TP TurboDaks. Despite efforts to get them flying again, looks like a decision has been made that they will not fly again.
We need a dignified retreat parade and a funded replacement project.
The blue water economy is too important to ignore.
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We need a dignified retreat parade and a funded replacement project.
The blue water economy is too important to ignore.
1/
October 30, 2025 at 9:34 AM
100% with Dean here.
Restoring the C47-TPs to flight was never going to be a real solution anyway, and South Africa’s maritime patrol and search & rescue requirements demand an extremely long-range and capable type or set of types.
It won’t be cheap, but neither is not having maritime control.
Restoring the C47-TPs to flight was never going to be a real solution anyway, and South Africa’s maritime patrol and search & rescue requirements demand an extremely long-range and capable type or set of types.
It won’t be cheap, but neither is not having maritime control.
Sad news for the SAAF's C47-TP TurboDaks. Despite efforts to get them flying again, looks like a decision has been made that they will not fly again.
We need a dignified retreat parade and a funded replacement project.
The blue water economy is too important to ignore.
1/
We need a dignified retreat parade and a funded replacement project.
The blue water economy is too important to ignore.
1/
October 30, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Sad news for the SAAF's C47-TP TurboDaks. Despite efforts to get them flying again, looks like a decision has been made that they will not fly again.
We need a dignified retreat parade and a funded replacement project.
The blue water economy is too important to ignore.
1/
We need a dignified retreat parade and a funded replacement project.
The blue water economy is too important to ignore.
1/
After years of grounding & delays, the SAAF's fleet of 8 Cessna 208 Caravans are finally undergoing it's long awaited avionics upgrade. The Caravans are early production examples, requiring extensive work, so they're being upgraded 1 at a time.
The sole PC-12 is also undergoing maintenance.
The sole PC-12 is also undergoing maintenance.
October 27, 2025 at 7:54 AM
After years of grounding & delays, the SAAF's fleet of 8 Cessna 208 Caravans are finally undergoing it's long awaited avionics upgrade. The Caravans are early production examples, requiring extensive work, so they're being upgraded 1 at a time.
The sole PC-12 is also undergoing maintenance.
The sole PC-12 is also undergoing maintenance.