The South African Air Force (SAAF) is reaching out to the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) for assistance in strengthening its training programs and maintaining its fleet of C-130 transport aircraft.
This partnership, rooted in a shared interest in improving aviation capabilities and operational readiness, was the focus of a high-level meeting held in Islamabad earlier this month. SAAF Chief Lieutenant General Wiseman Mbambo travelled to Pakistan to meet with PAF Chief Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, where they explored ways to deepen cooperation in aviation training, technical support, and operational exercises.
The collaboration reflects a growing bond between the two air forces, built on mutual respect and a history of military exchanges. During the discussions, Mbambo expressed a clear intent to overhaul the SAAF’s training framework with Pakistan’s help. He voiced his “desire for support from the Pakistan Air Force to develop a modern and comprehensive training framework, beginning at academy level,” according to Pakistan Armed Forces ISPR (Inter-Services Public Relations).
This move aims to equip future South African airmen with the skills needed for modern aerial operations. To complement this effort, Mbambo requested that SAAF officers participate as observers in major PAF operational exercises. By observing Pakistan’s renowned combat training experience firsthand, South African personnel could gain valuable insights and foster closer ties between the two forces. Technical collaboration, particularly in aircraft maintenance, emerged as another key focus of the meeting. The SAAF operates a fleet of C-130 Hercules aircraft, including models similar to the C-130B, C-130E, and C-130H variants used by Pakistan.
Defence and aviation expert Dean Wingrin pointed out this commonality, noting that Pakistan’s fleet includes five older C-130B transports, nine C-130E, and four C-130H models, while India operates the more modern C-130J. Mbambo praised the “technical excellence and cost-effective maintenance capabilities offered by PAF’s engineering infrastructure,” expressing interest in having South Africa’s C-130 fleet inspected and maintained in Pakistan. This arrangement could extend the lifespan and reliability of the SAAF’s aircraft while leveraging Pakistan’s established expertise.
The two air chiefs also took time to acknowledge each other’s strengths. Mbambo lauded the PAF’s operational readiness, commending its multi-domain warfare capabilities and its ability to maintain a credible deterrence posture. He expressed admiration for the high standards upheld by the PAF, particularly in technical proficiency. In response, Sidhu emphasised the strong bilateral relationship between Pakistan and South Africa, pointing to the “shared values and mutual aspirations that form the basis of the long-standing friendship” between the two nations.
He reaffirmed the PAF’s commitment to supporting the SAAF through tailored training programs and capacity-building efforts, setting the stage for a more formalised partnership. This collaboration builds on a history of military engagement between South Africa and Pakistan. In March 2017, the two countries signed a government-to-government defence cooperation agreement that included provisions for industrial cooperation. Over the years, personnel exchanges have been a regular feature of this relationship. Pakistani military students have attended the Army College in South Africa, while South African officers have trained at Pakistan’s staff college and in special forces roles.
In 2019, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) reported that approximately 40 South African commanders had received training in Pakistan, including counter-terrorism instruction. More recently, in October 2024, South African Special Forces joined Pakistan’s Special Services Group (SSG) for the two-week Iqbal-I joint exercises in Cherat, Pakistan. Beginning on October 15, the exercise focused on refining counter-terrorism drills and techniques, with both sides demonstrating professional excellence, as noted by ISPR. The closing ceremony was attended by the Commandant of the Special Operation School and Colonel SS Lechoenyo, Chief of Staff of South Africa’s Special Forces.
Aerospace collaboration has also played a role in strengthening ties. In mid-2021, Pakistan contracted Leonardo to convert three Embraer Lineage 1000 aircraft into long-range maritime patrol aircraft, replacing its ageing P-3C Orion fleet. A year later, South Africa’s Paramount Aerospace Systems announced its involvement in the pre-conversion maintenance, repair, and overhaul of these aircraft. Leonardo’s $190 million contract, signed with the Pakistani Ministry of Defence Production in June 2021 after three months of technical discussions, includes acquiring two additional aircraft to join the single Lineage 1000 already in Pakistan.
The conversion process will equip the aircraft with advanced features such as electronic support measures/electronic intelligence (ESM/ELINT) sensors, an electro-optical turret, active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, satellite communications, chaff/flare dispensers, and torpedo/sonobuoy/depth charge launchers, enhancing Pakistan’s maritime capabilities. Regular high-level visits further illustrate the depth of this partnership. In August 2024, Air Chief Marshal Sidhu spent six days in South Africa meeting his counterpart, focusing on strengthening air force ties.
Earlier, in July 2021, Chief of the SANDF General Rudzani Maphwanya visited Pakistan, reinforcing the ongoing dialogue between the two militaries. These exchanges reflect a mutual interest in expanding cooperation across the defence sector. For the SAAF, this partnership with the PAF offers access to proven expertise in training and maintenance, potentially boosting its operational capabilities. For the PAF, it provides an opportunity to enhance its international standing and deepen ties with a key African partner. As both air forces move forward, this collaboration stands to benefit their personnel, aircraft, and overall readiness, drawing on a foundation of shared goals and practical cooperation.
