Johannesburg - On a nondescript weapons range 40 minutes’ drive from Polokwane in Limpopo, about 300 guests wait for the ceremony to begin
There is a strange mix of accents, with a smattering of French, American, Italian, German, and Setswana heard from a distance.
It could be a diplomatic meeting, but for the extraordinary mix of military uniforms and badges in evidence
The event that is about to begin is the SA Air Force’s (SAAF) air capability demonstration; an annual event that brings together defence and security chiefs from afar.
For the start of the simulation, pathfinders are dropped from an aircraft to collect intelligence and mark targets, followed by a Hawk fly-past for data imaging to obtain tactical information from the battlefield.
The next sequence is a combat air patrol, followed by simulated fire-fighting by two Oryx helicopters carrying 2 500-litre buckets of water to dump on a “fire”, represented by pink smoke.
Also included is a demonstration of strategic cargo capability, with a low-flying aircraft delivering equipment and supplies in a war zone, load extraction using parachutes, and a reconnaissance run by a Hawk fighter jet
But the main attractions are a mock battle between the “enemies”, the Hawks and the Gripen fighter jets. The switch to the more aggressive Gripens, taking position on the east of “battlefield”, gives spectators goosebumps.
Once everyone is marvelling at the deafening noise, Agusta A109s helicopters sweep in for command and control.
Various scenarios unfold – mortar attacks, Gripens releasing flares, an “emergency landing” after the pilot is hit by ground fire, and a combat search and rescue.
The ensuing mock battle isn’t over until the Rooivalk provides cover for the injured soldiers by firing cannons and rockets.
Another moment of awe comes when a Hawk fires its 30mm cannon and with the Gripens dropping bombs on targets below Duiwelspiek (Devil’s Peak).
By sunset the reverberating explosions have come to a halt.
The foreign contingent of military dignitaries is impressed.
For the chief of the SAAF, Lieutenant-General Fabian Msimang, the exercise has been a “test of an airpower doctrine that is updated continuously to be relevant to our battle space”.
“The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has successfully deployed the pride of the SAAF and our nation, the Rooivalk attack helicopters, in the Democratic Republic of Congo,” he says.
“This platform is also a demonstration of what is possibleif we work together – the SANDF and the South African defence industry.
“Together we have designed, developed and produced one of the best in its class in termsof an attack helicopter – the Rooivalk.”
Msimang said it was important that all exercises took place while the SANDF continued to provide support for the UN missions on the continent.
The Star