Delay in delivery of transport aircraft may limit SAAF's role in peacekeeping missions.(News)

BYLINE: Graeme Hosken

PRETORIA: The South African Air Force (SAAF) is facing a potential crisis in providing support for international peacekeeping missions because of a delay of at least three years in the delivery of eight A400M heavy-lift transport aircraft.

The aircraft, made by French company Airbus, are to replace the ageing C130 heavy lift aircraft as part of the arms deal. They were to be received between next year and 2013.

Of its nine C130s, the air force is able to use only three.

The air force has refused to say what effect the delay will have on its operations.

It says only that it may not be able to satisfy its …