Islamabad (Agencies) July 5, 2025 — Pakistan and South Africa have entered a new phase of defense cooperation, with Islamabad agreeing to provide aviation training and technical support to the South African Air Force (SAAF), including assistance in maintaining its aging C-130 transport fleet. The agreement follows a high-level visit by Lieutenant General Wiseman Simo Mbambo, Chief of the South African Air Force, who met with Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu and other senior Pakistani defense officials in Islamabad and Rawalpind.
South Africa’s request for support comes amid a deepening operational crisis within its air force. Despite having a nominal inventory of 225 aircraft, including JAS 39C Gripen fighters, Rooivalk attack helicopters, and C-130 Hercules transports, the SAAF has struggled to maintain fleet readiness due to years of budget cuts, spare parts shortages, and strategic mismanagement. Reports suggest that only a handful of aircraft are currently airworthy, forcing reliance on chartered planes for peacekeeping missions and regional deployments.
Pakistan’s offer includes training programs for South African pilots and technicians, as well as access to its cost-effective and technically advanced maintenance facilities. The move is seen as a vote of confidence in Pakistan’s aviation engineering capabilities and a step toward broader South-South defense collaboration.
Lt Gen Mbambo also met with Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, where both sides discussed expanding military engagement and regional security cooperation. The visit concluded with mutual commitments to explore joint initiatives in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and defense manufacturing.