Inkwazi

Inkwazi is a Boeing Business Jet (BBJ / Boeing 737) aircraft that serves as the primary mode of air transportation for the President of South Africa. Operated by 21 Squadron South African Air Force, the aircraft has a seating capacity for six ministers and ten additional passengers.^[1] It cost 300 million rand to acquire and another 108 million rand to fit and decorate the interior which can accommodate up to 15 passengers.^[2][3] The jet's name means "fish eagle" in Zulu.^[4]

Inkwazi
Boeing 737-BBJ "Inkwazi" at Zurich-Kloten Airport in Switzerland
General information
Type	Boeing Business Jet
Manufacturer	Boeing
Status	Operational with 21 Squadron SAAF
Owners	South African Government
Registration	ZS-RSA
Radio code	LMG1
History
In service	2001 - Current

Replacement tender

In November 2015, Armscor issued a tender for the replacement of the Boeing 737 aircraft.^[2] The estimated cost of the new aircraft was between 2 billion and 4 billion rand.^[5][3] Some of the specific set of criteria included a range of 13,800 km, seating for 30 passengers, a conference room for 8, and a private bedroom and bathroom suite.

The potential replacements include:^[6][2]

• The Airbus A330
• The Airbus A340
• The Boeing 777
• The Boeing 787

However, in October 2016, Armscor announced, "none of the bids achieved a full score satisfactorily in the overall evaluation, thus prompting the cancellation of the tender."^[7][8] The company stated it would review the tender process and continue searching for a suitable replacement.^[8]

Current arrangement

The current aircraft continues to be used for regional trips. However, when the ageing aircraft has been grounded for repairs, other private aircraft have been chartered.^[9][10] When an intercontinental aircraft with a range of 13,300 km is required, an aircraft has been leased from Fortune Air for almost 2 million rand a month.^[11][12][13] The aircraft returned to service as of 2018^[update].^[14]