The once effective SAAF began its decline when the Grippens were bought and the first lot of servicing contracts with SAAB expired and were not renewed because the "new" government was unable to do any forward planning / budgeting / training that most every day countries would do.
Coupled to this, the Royal Australian Air Force made a concerted effort to recruit SAAF technicians and aircrew a couple of years ago and many "old" SAAF personnel left for better prospects.
I served in the SA army 1980 - 2006 and prior to leaving most of the "old" (capable) technicians and aircrew were being side-lined for the "new", so many left. This was to the extent that Zimbabwe Air Force pilot instructors were specially brought in and deployed to Langebaan when the Hawks were newly introduced to train the "new" batch of pilots. It was a bit of a disaster and a number of aircraft were written off. Today there are now not enough pilots to get a single fighter squadron totally operational.
The interim period saw the Cheetahs sold (I believe) to Equador where they still fly! The Mirage F1s were also in good nick but were sold too. The Grippens sit on the ground and are not being properly maintained so several cannot fly either.
A once proud and super effective air force now turned into poop! TIA (This is Africa).
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