The Avro Shackleton MR Mk3 was powered by four Rolls-Royce Griffon 57A V-12 piston engines, each producing 2,455 horsepower. The SAAF Museum at AFB Ysterplaat has a cutaway model that was recently restored, showing every piston, valve and cog working in perfect harmony. Powered by an electric drill!

Strap In and Fly: Exploring South African Air Force Aircrew Flight Gear since WWII by Dean Wingrin. The evolution of SAAF aircrew flight gear from post-WWII leather helmets to modern integrated systems. With a limited print run, join the waiting list, email jandre@g5j.co.za

SA Navy submarine SAS MANTHATISI (S101) departing Naval Base Simon's Town this morning, for the first since 2023. So good to see her at sea again, where she belongs. BZ to the Navy, the Dockyard and others who worked so hard to make this happen.

I was quoted by the @TheCitizen_News, stating that the recent tragedy whereby two SANDF soldiers died after falling into a mine shaft whilst pursuing illegal miners reflects hazardous conditions, not poor SANDF training standards. www.citizen.co.za/news/sandf-t...

Deaths of two soldiers in mine shaft spark debate over SANDF training standards | The Citizen

Two SANDF members fell into a shaft while two others were swept away at Lebombo Border Post, sparking debate over readiness.

citizen.co.za

Seven years after approval was first granted for the retired legendary racing yacht Voortrekker to be added to the South African Naval Museum collection, it has finally been relocated to its new home in Simon's Town. SA Navy-owned Voortrekker was relocated on Fri 17 July 2026. BZ

BREAKING: Two #SANDF members were killed early this morning when they fell into an abandoned vertical mine shaft during Op Prosper at the unused CRD Mine in West Johannesburg whilst pursuing suspected illegal miners into a tunnel.😢

Cdr Dieter Gerhardt (ret) died on 8 July 2026, at the age of 91. Serving in the SA Navy, he spied obo the Soviet Union’s intelligence agency (GRU) from 1962 to 1983. Arrested in New York in Jan 1983 by the FBI. In SA, he was sentenced to life, but was released in Aug 1992.

The SANDF has notified some of its members that a third- party data breach occurred, affecting about 10,000 members. The data breach affects members' surnames, ID numbers, and contact numbers via a service provider's system. It notes that Sanlam's system was not breached.

2 July '26 saw the final withdrawal of MONUSCO mission SANDF personnel from the DRC. Upon return to South Africa, they were immediately confined to a mandatory 21-day Ebola quarantine at De Brug in what several complaints described as substandard conditions. /1

Tonights sunset at AFB Makhado. 📷 Jaco Blom

Dean Wingrin@deanwingrin.bsky.social · last mo.

Beautiful sky at Air Force Base Langebaanweg, Western Cape, this morning. 🤩

Beautiful sky at Air Force Base Langebaanweg, Western Cape, this morning. 🤩

After 28 years, South Africa's contribution to peacekeeping (and enforcement) in the eastern DRC has come to an end. Today marks the final withdrawal of SANDF troops deployed to the UN MONUSCO mission under Op Mistral. Some equipment is temp stored in Tanzania and Uganda prior to return to SA.

President of Botswana, Duma Boko, arriving in Cape Town, South Africa, for the 9th Summit of Heads of State or Government of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU).

I really dislike the sudden deluge of AI-generated posters. They just have no soul, no individuality. Everything starts to look the same after a while. Events deserve artwork that reflects the people, passion, and effort behind them, not just another prompt template.

"Strap In and Fly: Exploring South African Air Force Aircrew Flight Gear since WWII" by Dean Wingrin takes a deep dive into the world of the SAAF's aircrew equipment. Due to launch in late September/early October 2026, register your interest now! forms.gle/y8D1hMZYg3fP...

The SA President has notified Parliament that he has extended the deployment of 25 SANDF members under Op THIBA (terminated SAMIDRC mission), to ensure withdrawal of the remaining personnel & equipment/armament from Tanzania to South Africa, to 30 June 2026. The cost is expected to be R37,744,815.

The SA President has notified Parliament that he has extended the SANDF deployment to counter the threat of piracy and other related illegal maritime activities under Operation COPPER (Moz Channel) from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027. The cost is expected to be R33,992,978.

Excellent article by @kobusda. Pretending that the SANDF can continue to carry its constitutional mandate on a shrinking budget,while capability further erodes, is not sensible. South Africa cannot defend a constitutional mandate with an unfunded military. dailyfriend.co.za/2026/06/15/s...

South Africa cannot defend a constitutional mandate with an unfunded military - Daily Friend

South Africa has reached a point where the public conversation about defence must become honest and more transparent.

dailyfriend.co.za

Until those responsible see real personal and professional consequences for things like this, within reasonable timeframes, nothing will change. It doesn’t inspire confidence when the committee responsible for oversight seemingly doesn’t realise that the DOD and DMV are different departments.

Dean Wingrin@deanwingrin.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Over a decade and R1bn later, the SANDF and Dep of Public Works are no closer to completing the rehabilitation of 1 Military Hospital in Tshwane! After wasting so much scarce funds, they now want to start over with a new hospital!!! Such is the quality of our defence leadership.

Over a decade and R1bn later, the SANDF and Dep of Public Works are no closer to completing the rehabilitation of 1 Military Hospital in Tshwane! After wasting so much scarce funds, they now want to start over with a new hospital!!! Such is the quality of our defence leadership.

The South African Navy will host the World Hydrography Dey 2026 celebrations in Durban from 17 to 21 June 2026. SA Navy vessels will be open for visits at N-Shed, Port of Durban on Saturday 20th June (10h00 to 16h00) and Sunday 21 June (10h00 to 14h00).

Dep Minister of Defence, Bantu Holomisa, has called for the creation of an Independent Defence Task Team to review governance within the Dept & to address recurring audit findings, accountability challenges, governance failures, non-compliance & procurement irregularities. /1

No amount of condonation after the fact can take away from the fact that the Auditor-General has found that Project Thusano was more expensive than contracting local suppliers. I highly doubt Project Kgala will be any different. It is enriching Cuba at the expense of South African jobs.

defenceWeb@defenceweb.co.za · 2mo ago

A legal opinion from the Office of the Chief State Law Advisor (OCSLA) has concluded that the Project Kgala contract – covering Cuban assistance to the South African National Defence Force – is invalid. defenceweb.co.za/sa-defence-s...

Attended the annual Memorial Service at AFB Ysterplaat this am. Prior to wreath laying, the Airforce flag is lowered, Last Post is played as the National Flag is lowered to half most.Following 2 minute silence, National Flag is hoisted to Reveille. Airforce flag is then hoisted.

SANDF is cash-strapped Military analyst, Dean Wingrin speaks to Joanne Joseph on #TheDailyDiscourse on South Africa’s military and the consequences of years of defunding, leading to loss of capabilities. omny.fm/shows/thedai...

SANDF is cash-strapped - The Daily Discourse

South Africa’s military is reportedly cash-strapped. Reports say the South African National Defence Force has had to ground most of its Oryx helicopters except for one, because the fleet is old and th...

omny.fm

Let's talk Oryx medium-lift helicopter availability. The SAAF is suffering a critical shortage of operational airframes, with just a handful (or less?) of the 37 available flying. Many have been sitting for years, waiting for maintenance funding. Others have been damaged/wfu. /1

SAS Queen Modjadji I (S103), a Type 209 (Class 1400MOD (SA)) (SSK) submarine, arrived in Simon's Town for the first time on this day, 22 May 2008.

I was on @Radio702 to discuss funding challenges in the SANDF. It is in crisis: years of underfunding, ageing equip, overstretched personnel & mismatch between mandate & resources erode mil capability, leaving it struggling to meet its constitutional mandate. www.primediaplus.com/the-dialogue...

The Dialogue - MPs call for more funding for SANDF

Primedia+ is your brand-new online content hub, home to the iconic radio stations you love 947, 702, Kfm, CapeTalk, and EWN all in one convenient location. It's more than just radio and news, it's an ...

primediaplus.com

Defence Min Angie Motshekga spoke at the tabling of the Defence Budget this morning. I was left totally underwhelmed. Just where do I start? I do not believe she was forceful enough in stating the absolute dire circumstances the SANDF finds itself in. /1

The new Chief of the Airforce was relaxed as we chatted over breakfast at a local eatery, but the conversation was serious.The SAAF has been defunded & he has a difficult task ahead. But Moatshe remains positive, empowering his people to deliver on the SAAFs mandate. defenceweb.co.za/sa-defence-s...

How the SAAF's new Chief plans to do more with less - DefenceWeb

Having conquered four Comrades Marathons, Lieutenant General Carl Moatshe is no stranger to discipline and overcoming formidable challenges.

defenceweb.co.za