Most of SANDF air support grounded due to lack of repairs

South Africa has deployed troops to Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) without renewing a crucial maintenance contract for its attack and transport helicopters.

The contract between state arms company Denel and the Department of Defence, covering technician and engineer expenses, lapsed over four months ago, endangering the military’s ability to support troops fighting jihadists in Mozambique and rebels in the DRC.

This lapse highlights the challenge of funding South Africa’s peacekeeping missions amidst budget constraints. Despite deploying troops to the DRC in December as part of a Southern African Development Community mission, the 2,900-strong deployment was only officially announced in February, drawing criticism from opposition parties.

Recent incidents, including a rebel attack that killed two South African soldiers and a helicopter hit by small arms fire, underline the risks faced by troops. The maintenance issues have grounded Rooivalk attack helicopters in the DRC for a year, leaving Oryx transport helicopters vulnerable.

South African troops in Mozambique, deployed in 2021, are set to withdraw later this year, but escalating violence in Cabo Delgado province may impact this timeline. The Oryx and Rooivalk helicopters, unique to South Africa, require specialized skills and equipment for maintenance, with Denel being the only feasible contractor.

In October, Defense Minister Thandi Modise noted that only a fraction of the Oryx fleet (5 of 39) were operational and 11 Rooivalk (all with some restrictions), and that R2.5 billion funding was required for repairs.

Denel Aeronautics CEO Mike Kgobe confirmed that they have not been paid for further maintenance work. The situation highlights the challenges facing South Africa’s military as it seeks to maintain operational capabilities amidst financial constraints.

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