South Africa Air Force Faces R5bn Gripen Fighter Jet Restoration Challenge

South Africa's Defence Minister Angie Motshekga reported that R4.96 billion is necessary to restore the combat readiness of over 20 Gripen fighter jets, as only two out of 26 are operational. The Gripens were acquired during a controversial arms deal in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and their operational status has been severely affected by lack of maintenance and budget constraints since 2021.

External peacekeeping missions have not compromised their combat capabilities, but the overall readiness of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has been undercut by years of funding shortfalls. The MK Party has called for immediate funding and increased defense spending to improve national security, especially following the exposure of air combat limitations during a 2025 peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.