The South African Air Force (SAAF) will not renew its aged transport fleet too early, chief of the air force Lieutenant General Carlo Gagiano has said.

Gagiano further said the SAAF will not make a decision on new transport aircraft, either to replace current capability or deliver new strategic capabilities that the now-cancelled A400M would have provided.

South Africa took the decision as the SAAF has had to reprioritise its requirements in line with those of the broader defence force.

The SAAF decision comes despite the transport aircraft fleet being in urgent need of replacement with most aircraft ranging in age from 21 to 75 years old, reports defenceweb.com.