Rooivalk

South African Rooivalk attack helicopter

The Rooivalk (Red Kestrel) attack helicopter is wholly designed and built in South Africa. It is considered by some to be a more capable airframe than other attack helicopters like the Apache but has not been purchased by any air force other than our own. I don’t claim to fully understand why but suspect it may be that the total package of airframe, avionics and weapons system simply doesn’t have the maturity and support offered by other aircraft. This forum post goes into more depth on the development and success or failure of the programme.

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