Dean Wingrin
@deanwingrin.bsky.social
Aviation and defense journalist, author, photographer, defenceWeb correspondent and general raconteur.
The six-slide PowerPoint presentation delivered by Lt-Gen Siphiwe Sangweni, Chief of Joint Operations, on 5 Dec was brief in the extreme, containing only generic information. Angie Motshekga, Min of Defence, was absent.
Even Dep Min, Maj-Gen Bantu Holomisa (Ret) was critical.
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Even Dep Min, Maj-Gen Bantu Holomisa (Ret) was critical.
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December 17, 2025 at 9:04 AM
The six-slide PowerPoint presentation delivered by Lt-Gen Siphiwe Sangweni, Chief of Joint Operations, on 5 Dec was brief in the extreme, containing only generic information. Angie Motshekga, Min of Defence, was absent.
Even Dep Min, Maj-Gen Bantu Holomisa (Ret) was critical.
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Even Dep Min, Maj-Gen Bantu Holomisa (Ret) was critical.
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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.
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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Project Hoefyster is way behind schedule and critically underfunded. Project management is lacking, as is accountability. This is a huge setback for the Army, who is continuing to rely on over 40-year-old Ratels.
Then, what's up with the RFI for a new 8x8 Vehicle Platform?
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Then, what's up with the RFI for a new 8x8 Vehicle Platform?
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November 26, 2025 at 10:28 AM
Project Hoefyster is way behind schedule and critically underfunded. Project management is lacking, as is accountability. This is a huge setback for the Army, who is continuing to rely on over 40-year-old Ratels.
Then, what's up with the RFI for a new 8x8 Vehicle Platform?
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Then, what's up with the RFI for a new 8x8 Vehicle Platform?
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Five combat & four Joint Task Force variants have been delayed since 2018 (Development) and 2023 (Production). Phase 1 development is still incomplete: variant compliance ranges from 44% (Mortar) to 95% (Command). Full Product Baselines only expected between 2025 and 2027.
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November 26, 2025 at 10:28 AM
Five combat & four Joint Task Force variants have been delayed since 2018 (Development) and 2023 (Production). Phase 1 development is still incomplete: variant compliance ranges from 44% (Mortar) to 95% (Command). Full Product Baselines only expected between 2025 and 2027.
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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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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.
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.
The Oryx undertaking firefighting duties shortly after arrival in Bredasdorp.
November 8, 2025 at 6:16 AM
The Oryx undertaking firefighting duties shortly after arrival in Bredasdorp.
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.
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.
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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Then SA also has offshore islands.
South Africa cannot secure its EEZ or meet its international SAR obligations.
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October 30, 2025 at 9:28 AM
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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Then SA also has offshore islands.
South Africa cannot secure its EEZ or meet its international SAR obligations.
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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.
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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.
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We need a dignified retreat parade and a funded replacement project.
The blue water economy is too important to ignore.
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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!
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!
October 24, 2025 at 9:00 AM
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!
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!
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.
October 15, 2025 at 8:39 AM
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.
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.
October 14, 2025 at 6:46 PM
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.
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.
October 12, 2025 at 2:17 PM
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.
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.
October 3, 2025 at 3:11 PM
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.
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.
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.
September 27, 2025 at 8:47 AM
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.
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.
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!
Congratulations on your new appointments!
September 26, 2025 at 1:33 PM
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!
Congratulations on your new appointments!
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.
September 21, 2025 at 8:40 AM
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.
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.
September 18, 2025 at 4:26 PM
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.