South African defence procurement, disposals and research and development agency Armscor announced on Monday that it had handed two helicopters over to the South African Police Service (SAPS) Air Wing. The machines concerned were single-engined Airbus Helicopters H125 light utility helicopters, and the transfer had taken place on Friday, at the SAPS Academy in Pretoria/Tshwane.

“The Armscor Act provides for the corporation, with the approval of the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, to procure defence material on behalf of any organ of State,” explained Armscor Executive Director: Business Development and Industry Support Segomotso Tire. “We are confident that these helicopters will serve as a powerful force multiplier in the fight against crime.”

The helicopters were handed over as the SAPS was getting ready to initiate its 2025/26 Festive Season campaign. The two aircraft would strengthen the service’s aerial operations and so reinforce crime-prevention and crime-fighting.

This delivery followed the transfer of two other H125s, by Armscor, back in 2023. According to publicly available information, before the latest delivery, the SAPS Air Wing operated a fleet of 11 fixed-wing aircraft and 27 helicopters.

“Ongoing collaborative efforts between Armscor and SAPS include the disposal of obsolete landward and aeronautical platforms, as well as the provision of through-life-cycle support and maintenance management services,” pointed out Armscor. “These measures are designed to ensure that SAPS platforms remain fully operational, efficient, and service-ready.”