South Africa deploys Denel's attack helicopter Rooivalk in Demoncratic Republic of Congo.

Seaking to defenceWeb Captain (SAN) Zamo Sithole, SA National Defence Force (SANDF) Joint Operations media liaison officer, confirmed to defenceWeb that three of 16 Squadron’s 11 combat helicopters would join up with the aviation unit of the UN Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO).

“The aircraft will be deployed before year-end and will have full SA Air Force (SAAF) ground support and technical staff,” he said.

On armament, aviation commentator Darren Olivier was of the opinion the Rooivalk will be equipped with the FZ 90 70 mm wraparound fin air rocket (WAFAR), carrying up to 76 in four underwing pods and 700 rounds of ammunition for the 20 mm F2 cannon. No Mokopa or other anti-tank missiles will be loaded “but the rockets and cannon are potent weapons,” he said.