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I cant see any new a/c being bought by the SAAF for the next few years at least. As has been pointed out the C-130s are in pretty decent shape, and no tankers are really needed as the JAS-39 fleet is so horribly underutilised. Major political reforms would be needed befor any new equipment purchases can be contemplated.

Russia has said no to the No-Fly zone, so its a non-starter.

The theoretical increase in buget proposed here would have to be spread over all three services, and if the armed forces were to actually take a realistic look at their operations then the Navy’s strike fighters would have to go. Im sorry but its not so much a question of up front aquisition costs (yes, if they could get SEMs from France they would probably be fairly cheap) but the total cost of maintaing the capability . Remember, the Navy also has to replace pretty much its entire surface and submarine fleet and even with axing its fast jets it will not be able to replace them on a one for one basis.

I think the issue here is Argentina has not reduced its expectations to meet its financial or even political reality.

Spot on.

Its an image of a Portugese A-7P at a NATO Tiger meet. I thought it was an interesting image cause I have never seen an A-7 with sidewinders anywhere but the cheek rails. But now that I think on it……I cant see any real issues with their carriage on the outer pylons. Had just never seen it befor.