Author | Lightnews

Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 4d

At least one to the Museums at AFMDW (Swartop) and Ysterplaat.

Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 4d

And that is just the replacement for the maritime version! There have been other projects for a light transport replacement as well. Such as Projects Sourcepan, Kiepie and Pelican. Same result.
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Reposted by Dean Wingrin

Darren Olivier @darren.africandefence.net · 4d

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.

Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 4d

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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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 4d

It's critical that other State departments, such SAPS, DFFE, Tourism, Marine & Coastal Management and Dept of Transport be brought in under Operation Phakisa, to share costs and utilisation.

Drones are an option, but have limitations.

But something has to be done, and soon.
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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 4d

South Africa’s EEZ alone totals some 1.6m km2, which is greater than the country’s land area (1.2m km2). SA is also responsible for martime SAR of 17,2m km2.
Then SA also has offshore islands.

South Africa cannot secure its EEZ or meet its international SAR obligations.
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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 4d

Purchasing expensive and dedicated maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) is out of the question. But the plan to acquire a fleet of suitably equipped King Airs, such as the 350ER, to conduct maritime surveillance is a cost-effective solution. It too floundered.
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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 4d

Maritime patrol/surveillance has not been a priority since the Shackleton was retired in the 80's.

Projects such as Amanzi, Saucepan, Metsi & Pelican all came to naught. No funding and support.

An excellent PPP initiative under Op Phakisa, leasing Dornier 328s was rejected.
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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 4d

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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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 7d

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.

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 10d

Background on the Jorsin Tau 4x4 can be found at defenceweb.co.za/editors-pick...

Jorsin launches new Tau 4x4 armoured personnel carrier - defenceWeb

At a glance what appears to be a 4x4 version of the famous Ratel infantry combat vehicle is in fact Jorsin’s new Tau armoured personnel carrier (APC), which

defenceweb.co.za

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 10d

Lots of comment about a #SANDF "Ratel" at the Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Afrikaans Boys High School - Affies) matric farewell party.

It is not a Ratel and it is not a SANDF vehicle. It is a privately owned Jorsin Tau 4×4 IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) prototype. Looks great!

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Reposted by Dean Wingrin

Darren Olivier @darren.africandefence.net · 12d

Excellent interview by Dean on the controversy over the South African LIDAR/rangefinder discovered on a Russian drone.

Dean, like me, assesses that the part is likely commercial only, and neither military nor dual-use, and therefore isn’t subject to any export controls.

Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 12d

I was on Power FM the other night, discussing the use of South African technology found in Russian drones used to attack Ukraine.
omny.fm/shows/power-...

South African Tech Found In Russian Drones Used To Attack Ukraine - POWER Perspective

South African authorities said they are investigating how electronic equipment made in the country ended up in Russian drones used to attack Ukraine.

omny.fm

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 12d

I was on Power FM the other night, discussing the use of South African technology found in Russian drones used to attack Ukraine.
omny.fm/shows/power-...

South African Tech Found In Russian Drones Used To Attack Ukraine - POWER Perspective

South African authorities said they are investigating how electronic equipment made in the country ended up in Russian drones used to attack Ukraine.

omny.fm

Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 19d

At the GICA 2025 October Conference in Cape Town, South Africa. Co-sponsored by @defenceWeb_Afr. Building defence & industrial capacity through strategic collaboration. Looking forward to 2 days of presentations & panel discussions on growing collaboration in defence.

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 20d

Anecdotally, there seems to be an uptick in #SAAF availability rates recently. The various aircraft may not be fully operational, but at least they're flying. Tonight, two transport aircraft are conducting night training from AFB Waterkloof.

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 22d

They arrived safely at AFB Waterkloof, then after clearing formalities, hopped over to Swartop (AF MDW) after long and tiring flight. Welcome home!

Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 22d

Three SAAF Oryx helicopters in Livingstone, Zambia today, on their way home to South Africa! The three, 1 ex-UN MONUSCO and 2 from the SANDF support contingent, departed Lubumbashi, DRC and are scheduled to arrive at AFB Waterkloof. The remaining 2 Oryx will be airlifted back.

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 22d

Three SAAF Oryx helicopters in Livingstone, Zambia today, on their way home to South Africa! The three, 1 ex-UN MONUSCO and 2 from the SANDF support contingent, departed Lubumbashi, DRC and are scheduled to arrive at AFB Waterkloof. The remaining 2 Oryx will be airlifted back.

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 28d

As a reminder, the SAMIDRC mandate was terminated in March 2025 and the South African troops only commenced returning to SA in mid-June. The SANDF vehicles, weapons and equipment is still in Chato (Tanzania), awaiting return to SA, along with the final HQ/security contingent.
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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · 28d

SAMIDRC update:
On 2 Oct, Chief SANDF Gen Maphwanya received a call from the Force Commander that they've finally secured the signature of the SADC Secretariat, back loading will be finalised in the next few weeks.
As a reminder...
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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · Oct 3

AFB Ysterplaat hosted the Chief SANDF Medal Parade today. TurboDak 6825 of 35 Sqn was very pleased with itself to be the main background! 😀 6887 provided support. Good to have two PC-7 MK IIs perform a flypast and a Super Lynx was also in attendance.

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · Sep 27

Increase in Aircraft Activity Around AFB Waterkloof

There is an increase in aircraft activity and noise in the Gauteng area. This is in preparation for the upcoming G20 Summit in November this year. Please keep an eye on your pets.

Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · Sep 26

AFB Ysterplaat today: Change of Command Parade for 35 Squadron OC Col Tamara Thomas-Herwels outgoing & Lt Col Pieter Scherer incoming, and Acceptance of Command Parade for 505 Squadron OC Lt Col David Magwayi incoming.
Congratulations on your new appointments!

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · Sep 21

South African Air Force (SAAF) Boeing 737-7ED BBJ ZS-RSA (Inkwazi), carrying Pres Ramaphosa, on its way to New York for the UN General Assembly. Call sign LMG1.

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · Sep 18

On 20 Sep 2023, three submariners lost their lives during a vertical transfer exercise.
From this year onwards, 20 Sep will be recognised as Submarine Squadron Day symbolising a day of remembrance, unity and recognition of the courage and service of past and present submariners.

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Dean Wingrin @deanwingrin.bsky.social · Sep 18

The SA Navy Submarine Squadron Memorial Site at the SAS Assegaai Submarine Museum in Simon's Town,Cape Town, will be unveiled this Sat, 20 Sep. It will serve as a permanent tribute to all submariners who have died in service.

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