SAAF at a crossroads: South African air power at AAD 2014

摘要

UNFORTUNATELY THE C-130 Hercules cannot participate in today's 'Mini War' air power demonstration. The aircraft had to fly to Lagos on a relief mission to fly out injured South African citizens'. This announcement during the South African Air Force's commentary at Africa Aerospace and Defence 2014 (AAD) this September was a harsh reality check. It drew a clear picture of the urgent local need for air transport capabilities, a demand shared by many other air forces worldwide. Air transport does not only involve military operations, but also humanitarian support missions, these being more often than not the case on the African continent.