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Swazi Air Force

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Swazi Air Force
Fin flash of Swaziland
Active1979-Present
CountrySwaziland
Part ofMilitary of Swaziland
Nickname(s)SDFAF
ColorsBlue, Yellow, Red
Aircraft flown
HelicopterAérospatiale Alouette III
TransportMcDonnell Douglas MD-87

The Swazi Air Force (Swazi: Umbutfo Swaziland Defence Force Air Force) is the air force of Swaziland

History

Swaziland maintains a relatively small air wing, part of the Umbutfo Swaziland Defence Force (USDF).[1] The air wing is mainly used for transporting the King as well as cargo, and personnel; surveying land with search and rescue functions, and mobilizing in case of a national emergency.[2]

Both Arava 201 have crashed; the first was on a demo flight in the 1980s, leaving both pilots dead.[3] The second was lost in 2004, after bad weather caused the pilots to miss the runway and crash into a sugar cane field. Although no injuries were reported, the incident left the air force temporarily crippled.[4]

Current inventory

Current inventory

An IAI Arava of the Swazi military air wing at Pretoria AFB Waterkloof (October 1995). This airframe was written off in the 2004 accident.
Aircraft Country of origin Type Versions In service Notes
IAI Arava  Israel Cargo plane IAI 202 0[5] 2 delivered, one crashed in the 1980s, and the other in 2004
Canadair Global Express  Canada Passenger plane BD-700-1A10 1[6] 1 delivered, currently used as a troop transport
Cessna 337 Super Skymaster  United States Passenger plane 1[6] 1 delivered, currently used as a medical transport
Learjet 35  United States Passenger plane 1[7] 1 delivered, currently used as a troop transport
Piper PA-28 Cherokee  United States Passenger plane PA-28-140 1[6] 1 delivered, currently used for land surveying
McDonnell Douglas MD-87  United States Passenger plane DC-87 1[8] 1 delivered, currently used by government officials
Aérospatiale Alouette III  France Utility helicopter SA-316B 3[9] 3 donated to Swaziland in 2000[10]

Retired inventory

Aircraft Country of origin Type Versions In service Notes
IAI Arava  Israel Cargo plane IAI 202 0[5] 2 delivered, one crashed in the 1980s, and the other in 2004
Douglas DC-3  United States Cargo plane 0

References

  1. ^ "Photo Search Results". Airliners.net. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
  2. ^ "Air force (Swaziland) - Sentinel Security Assessment - Southern Africa". Janes.com. 2011-04-12. Retrieved 2012-07-06.
  3. ^ "ASN Aircraft accident IAI Arava 201 3D-DAB Zomba Air Base". Aviation-safety.net. 1980-01-15. Retrieved 2012-07-06.
  4. ^ "Crash diminishes Swaziland's air force". Independent Online (South Africa). November 23, 2004. Retrieved 2009-10-19.
  5. ^ a b "Swazi military aviation OrBat". Milaviapress.com. Retrieved 2012-07-06.
  6. ^ a b c "UK blocks Swazi arms". DefenceWeb. 2011-03-23. Retrieved 2012-07-06.
  7. ^ "Aircraft 3D-BIS, Learjet 45 C/N 104". Airport-data.com. Retrieved 2012-07-06.
  8. ^ "Times Of Swaziland". Times.co.sz. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
  9. ^ "Arms Trade Register". SIPRI. Retrieved 22 June 2012.
  10. ^ "SAAF Alouettes for Swaziland". SAAF. Retrieved 22 June 2012.
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