Operation Impilo, which began in February, involved far more than just Oryx helicopters. The deployment included around 700 troops, ground support equipment for multiple squadrons, air defence gunners and other supporting elements — forming a full contingency force.
The mission’s primary objective was to provide a standby capability in case of complications during the SAMIDRC withdrawal. Operation Impilo was designed to offer external support to those troops if necessary. In the end the withdrawal along with all equipment was successfully negotiated and completed peacefully, eliminating the need for any additional intervention.
The force remained in position while South African, Tanzanian and Malawian troops under SAMIDRC were withdrawn. Cabinet later approved the complete withdrawal of the contingent, a process that took a few additional months to finalise.
On 13 October, three Oryx helicopters returned safely to Air Force Base Waterkloof, marking one of the final stages in the drawdown of Operation Impilo. However, two Oryxes remain stranded in the DRC — one in Goma and another in Lubumbashi — pending recovery and repatriation arrangements.
