Free Republic

While they might not be the super records of years past, guns and overall firearms sales are still going through the roof. According to newly released FBI data, background checks exceeded 2.51 million in August, which was consistent with the previous two summers. However, Small Arms Analytics & Forecasting (SAAF) estimates August 2022 U.S. firearms unit sales were at about 1.4 million units, a year-over-year decrease of 3.8 percent relative to August 2021. The decrease affected the handgun segment (−2.7 percent) significantly less than it did the long-gun segment (−7.2 percent). SAAF’s firearms unit sales estimates and forecasts are based...

South African Air Force delivers more with less Special Posted Sep 30, 2011 by Christopher Szabo Despite budget cuts and a tight economy worldwide, the South African Air Force (SAAF) is able to deliver a credible force and continue its multiple roles of deterrent, air-sea rescue, training, maritime and land surveillance and even fire fighting. This is according to the leadership of the SAAF which invited media to a breakfast and briefing, which was attended by Digital Journal. This comes the day before the Waterkloof Air Show, a once-off demonstration to welcome the return next year of the African Aerospace...

Ex-SAAF Cheetahs arriving in Ecuador Three ex-South African Air Force Cheetah fighters will arrive in Ecuador this week as deliveries of the 12 aircraft on order commence. The first three aircraft were shipped from South Africa last week, Ecuadorian Defence Minister Javier Ponce told the El Universo newspaper on Friday. Neither Denel, Armscor nor the Ecuadorian Air Force could be reached for comment at the time of going to press. In December last year, Denel Aviation, Armscor and the South African Air Force (SAAF) jointly sold 12 Cheetahs to Ecuador for US$78.4 million. Both single seat and dual seat Cheetah...

No cash for SA air force to fly Gripens Apr 13, 2011 The air force cannot afford to put its new Gripen jet fighters into flight for the required number of hours, Lieutenant General Carlo Gagiano conceded on Wednesday. "No, we are not going to fly the required number of hours," the air force chief told a media briefing in Cape Town ahead of Defence Minister Lindiwe Sisulu's budget vote in the National Assembly. "But the hours that we will fly will ensure that the people and the aircraft are safe and that we do the correct training." Gagiano said...

SAAF finally takes delivery of fully operational Rooivalk helicopters By: Keith Campbell 1st April 2011 The first five fully operational Rooivalk helicopters were handed over to the South African Air Force (SAAF) by Denel Aviation on Friday morning. These fully operational aircraft are designated as the Rooivalk Mk 1. Previously, although the Rooivalks could fly, they were not truly operational and could not be deployed, for example, to support United Nations peacekeeping operations. “This is a historic moment for Denel and indeed the entire South African defence and advanced manufacturing industries,” affirmed Denel group CE Talib Sadik. “The Rooivalk is...