The South African Air Force (SAAF) has operated a wide range of aircraft since its establishment in 1920. The fleet's core capabilities are built around its fighter, transport, maritime patrol, helicopter, and training aircraft. Key operational types include the JAS 39 Gripen, BAE Hawk, C-130 Hercules, Oryx and AW109 helicopter fleets, supported by various light transport, liaison, and VIP airframes.
Historically, the SAAF operated one of the largest and most capable fighter fleets in the Southern Hemisphere. Notable past aircraft include the 68 Atlas CheetahsâÂÂSouth Africa's indigenous modernised variant of the Mirage IIIâÂÂand the 48 Mirage F1s, both of which formed the backbone of the country's air combat capability from the late 1970s through the early 2000s. Earlier eras also saw extensive fleets of Mirage III variants, Impalas, Sabres, Buccaneers, and Canberras.
The following is a list of current and historic aircraft of the South African Air Force.
The South African Air Force operates a diverse mix of fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. Fleet total refers to the number of airframes that remain in the SAAF inventory, while in service refers to those that are currently operational or can be made airworthy. Aircraft listed as not in service include airframes of the same type that have been placed in long-term storage pending possible reactivation or sale, or airframes that were damaged in accidents but remain in inventory awaiting repair or disposal. The SAAF's current aircraft holdings are as follows: