Page 13 - World Airnews Magazine April 2020 Edition

MILITARY

SANDF ARMED FORCES

DEMONSTRATION

By Pieter Cronje

A Rooivalk Attack Helicopter of the SAAF against the

setting sky at the SADF Capability Demonstration

firing power display. But it was still very providing excitement to the invited guests.

impressive. The SAAF component of four Hawks first
he SADF commemorates Armed The display started early afternoon alter- coming in to release four bombs each.

TForces Day on 21 February each nating between the SA Army and SAAF. These were followed by the Gripens doing

year. This date has been chosen in memory It was at times difficult to keep track what the same, with the Hawks again coming in

of the tragic sinking of the SS Mendi, and to look at, action taking place simultane- with canon fire.

the even more tragic loss of life due to the ously to the left, right and centre of the dis- The Rooivalk attack helicopter was also

sinking. This commemoration takes place play area. This was compounded by action used twice to fire unguided rockets, and

in a different province each year. on the ground and in the sky. their last display of the day, demonstrating

This year it was held in Limpopo with The SA Army display consisted of airborne the use of its 20mm canon, and a flare
Polokwane chosen as the main point of special forces landing by parachute, and troops release.
activities. being landed by helicopters of the SAAF. The day light display was closed late

One of these activities was the Armed Forc- These were complimented over the day afternoon with an evening firing display

es Capability Display held at the SAAF bomb- by Olifant (Elephant) tanks, Rooikat Recon- starting after sundown.
ing range at Roodewal, north of Polokwane. naissance vehicles, various models of the This consisted of a colourful if loud
The arrangements made for the event Ratel AFV, and other armoured vehicles. display by various elements of the SA Army,
was done by the SA Army, it was a com- These vehicles were also used to demon- with the day being closed by a Gripen doing

bined demonstration of the capabilities of strate the individual capabilities of the a low and fast fly past and release of flares.
the SA Army and SAAF. vehicles, with the Olifant tank driving over An Oryx helicopter doing the similarly fol-

Although the range is about 5km by 7 a car wreck. lowed and ended the day’s activities with a

km, it was not large enough to have a full The SAAF display lacked nothing in wall of fire. Q
An Olifant (Elephant) tank of the SADF also

demonstrating it's mobility capabilities and
psychological impact on the battle front

World Airnews | April 2020
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