“5 April 2005: SAAF Chief appears to pour cold water on military Airbus plans
New SA Air Force chief Lieutenant-General Carlo Gagiano has seemingly poured cold water on South Africa’s plans to purchase Airbus Military’s A400M. Meeting the press during a visit by US Third Air Force commander Major-General Michael Gould, Gagiano said it was too early to comment on whether a new Airbus aircraft would replace the current C-130 fleet. He
said C-130s were less costly to operate and he would be reluctant to fly the A400M where there were rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) or other hostile surface to air weapons. Gagiano, a Mirage fighter pilot with combat experience over Angola, added that no contact had been signed to purchase up to eight of the aicraft, merely an agreement to exercise that option in exchange for taking part in the aircraft’s manufacturing programme. He thought the aircraft could be better used for long-
distance, strategic, airlift — and as a replacement for the SAAF’s antique Boeing 707 fleet.
Gagiano, in passing, also confirmed DSD reports that only one B707 and two C130s were still operating. As was also reported, both are former US airframes. Indications are they will remain grounded for at least the rest of the year. There is no guarentee they will ever fly again. A Lockheed Martin specialist was only due to inspect the aircraft’s wing roots in six to eight month’s time, and after that there would be a further elapse of time before replacement parts would arriva and repairs could begin.
Gould said he was visiting South Africa to learn more about the SA Air Force’s (SAAF) operations. He also pointed out to local media that cracked wingspars were not a problem peculiar to the SAAF fleet, but also affected his service and other operators. The US recently grounded 30 of their fleet and restricted the use of 60 more. he two air chiefs also discussed ways both air forces could support the African Union and the Southern African Development Community. This could include making US
C130s available to South Africa until the C130s were again operational –or replaced. This would likely happen under the state partnership agreement between South Africa and the US state of New York. Gould spoke to the media while touring Waterkloof AFB at Pretoria. He was also scheduled to visit the Overberg, Langebaan and Ysterplaat Air Force bases. Langebaan, north of Cape Town, was constructed by the US in the late 1950s. South Africa deployed a SAAF fighter squadron to Korea where
it served with distinction under US command during the 1950-1953 war.
defence THINK!”
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