SAS AMATOLA departed Kenya this morning, arrives in Tanzania tomorrow ⚓

She attended the Indian International Fleet Review and an international maritime exercise, then visited China and Malaysia (via Singapore).

SAS AMATOLA of the South African Navy spotted off Mombasa, Kenya this morning, having arrived from Malaysia.
📷 Mark Blaine

Finally, the Code of Conduct for all SANDF personnel deployed to support the Police under the current Operation PROSPER deployment has been published in the Government Gazette.

Only a month late, but at least it's published. 👍

Confirmation that the US has also destroyed the IRGC Navy's expeditionary base ship Shahid Mahdavi (110-3). Thus, all three Iranian vessels that took part in Exercise Will for Peace in Cape Town during January this year have been destroyed/sunk.

Navy Festival is next weekend and THE NIGHT SHOOT IS BACK!
The SA Navy will hold its Navy Festival 2026 at the East Dockyard, Naval Base Simon’s Town, from Fri 17 to Sun 19 April 2026 (10:00 – 17:00 daily).
Displays, demos, ship tours and the Night Shoot Firing!

France's Marine Nationale (Navy) Jeanne d'Arc 2026 task group, comprising Landing Helicopter Dock Dixmude and stealth frigate Aconit, departs Table Bay on Friday, having spent a week enjoying the hospitality of Cape Town. Bon voyage!

Is it possible for Donald Trump to obliterate Iran in one day? YouTube video by CapeTalk

Is it possible for Donald Trump to obliterate Iran in one day?
This evening I was on 567 CapeTalk with Africa Melane to discuss.
youtu.be/HCDmssHMMYc?...

Background information on Mtimkulu is scarce, but I believe he has worked at Defence HQ (as a civilian).

Cabinet has _finally_ announced a new Secretary of Defence: Bareng Mtimkulu. Thobekile Gamede has been Acting Secretary of Defence since December 2022! The Secretary for Defence serves as the principal accounting officer for the Dept of Defence (similar to a DG).

SAS AMATOLA sets sail for Africa!
After wrapping up her port call in Malaysia, the South African Navy frigate has bid farewell to Port Klang and is now en route to Kenya. 🚢🌍⚓

This is an April Fools story of www.saairforce.co.za and not to be taken seriously.

Grounded no more: SAAF inks wet lease deal with budget carrier to restore rapid reaction capability

Grounded no more: SAAF inks wet lease deal with budget carrier to restore rapid reaction capability

With its C-130BZ fleet barely airworthy and maritime surveillance a distant memory, the SA Air Force has taken a bold step to close its airlift gap.
www.saairforce.co.za/news-and-eve...

Congratulations to Lt Gen Carl Moatshe, who will take over command of the South African Air Force on 1 April 2026. The Handing Over Parade was held in Pretoria today. He is taking over as Chief of the Airforce from Lt Gen Wiseman Mbambo, who retires today.

South African Navy frigate SAS AMATOLA has arrived in Port Klang, Malaysia. She is on her return voyage following a naval exercise in India. Having visited China and exercised with Singapore, her next stops will be Kenya and Tanzania before arriving home in early May.

New Chief of the SAAF named!

Congratulations to Maj Gen Carl Moatshe, who will be appointed and promoted to the rank of Lt Gen as Chief of the South African Air Force wef 1 April 2026, in the place of Lt Gen Wiseman Mbambo who retires on 31 March 2026.

Congratulations! 👏

Fire fighting pilots are a very special breed. Long stressful hours in a hot cockpit, flying through smoke in turbulent air, close to obstacles. Intense concentration 100% of the time.
This Huey pilot survived fighting a fire in Hout Bay, Cape Town, today. They all deserve praise.

BREAKING: Unconfirmed reports that a Working on Fire UH-1 Huey helicopter has crashed near Hout Bay, Cape Town.

SAAF Chief is retiring. Chief of the South African Air Force, Lt Gen Wiseman Mbambo, is conducting farewell visits to all Airforce bases and units to bid farewell. His Handing Over of Command Parade will take place on 27 March 2026. Mbambo was appointed CAF on 1 May 2021.

With testing still underway and no payments made, the project remains at a critical risk point. Success will depend on whether the prototypes actually meet performance expectations without significant redesign.
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The admission that no vehicle fully met requirements suggests a possible mismatch between operational needs and what industry can deliver. This raises questions about whether specs were realistic or procurement was rushed to fill a gap.
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While Armscor insists the APC tender followed due process, it’s unusual that no field evaluation was required before award. It also remains unclear whether any formal deviations were approved given that no bidder fully met the original specifications.
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Following the assessment of the production platform and prototypes, a final decision shall be made on the compliance to specification by the contracted entity.

Noted that no exact off-the-shelf vehicle met the SANDF’s requirements.
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Milkor SA has since produced prototype variants, including section, ambulance and command vehicles, which are currently undergoing performance testing. No payments have yet been made, with testing costs borne by the contractor.
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Armscor clarified that field evaluations were always intended to take place only after contract award and delivery of prototype vehicles. A planned pre-award evaluation in March 2025 was cancelled to remain compliant with the bid requirements.
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The tender is aimed at replacing ageing Land Cruiser troop carriers with vehicles offering basic ballistic protection. Noted that procurement followed a competitive bid evaluated against pre-set criteria.
The contract was awarded to Milkor SA as the highest-scoring bidder.
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Armscor briefed Parliament today on the controversial R500 million tender to supply new Armoured Personnel Carriera (APC) for border protection to the SANDF.
Allegedly, both Armscor’s technical evaluation team and an internal audit found defects in the awarding process.
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More clarity: This authority is NOT the deployment as per the President's SONA address, but relates to an earlier deployment (30 Jan to 30 Apr 2026).
S18 of the Defence Act req the President to "promptly" inform Parliament of the employment of the Defence Force.
Is this "promptly"?

The SANDF says all deployed members were paid the full amount due to them.
Deploying members were also briefed and informed about the applicable allowances for the operation during Mission Readiness Training.
The R813m is allowances is split as per below.
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Deployed members could also take an optional $5/day sustainment cash advance (about $140 per month). This was paid upfront in cash but later deducted from the member’s International Obligation Standard Danger Allowance based on the prevailing exchange rate.
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