Waterkloof Air Force Base

Upgrading South Africa’s busiest airbase to meet international standards for military and commercial aircraft.

Client

Department of Public Works

Project date

December 2003 - December 2004

South Africa’s busiest airbase, Waterkloof Air Force Base (WAFB), located on the outskirts of Tshwane in Gauteng, required significant upgrading due to its strategic and national importance. The Department of Public Works (DPW) initiated Phase I of a major infrastructure project focused on modernising the main 3,500-metre runway to meet stringent operational and safety standards.

The opportunity

WAFB’s runway had to be upgraded to accommodate large-bodied military and commercial aircraft such as the Airbus A400M and Boeing 747-400. The goal was to ensure that the airbase remained operationally sustainable for the next 30 years while adhering to DPW’s guidelines for infrastructure construction on dolomitic soils.

What we did

As part of a three-member joint venture, Zutari was responsible for the project’s geometric design and pavement review. In addition, Zutari served as the consultant for the electrical design and construction supervision services required for upgrading the runways, taxiways, and hardstands.

The project included constructing a compass swing bay, instrument calibration facilities, and associated civil services to support planned aircraft operations. Zutari’s scope also covered lighting, fire-fighting systems, communications, electrification, drainage, soil stabilisation, and the construction of major service tunnels beneath the main runway and taxiways to reroute critical utilities.

One of the project’s major challenges was addressing the dolomitic soil conditions to mitigate future sinkhole formation and ensure compliance with international standards for both military and commercial aviation.
Runway, taxiway, and airside infrastructure designed to international standards for long-term operational resilience.

The outcome

Runway and taxiway paint marking, dolomitic remedial actions, dynamic compaction of critical airside pavements, and the construction of a runway end safety area were all successfully completed. Despite the geological challenges presented by the dolomite formations, Phase I of the Waterkloof Air Force Base upgrade was completed ahead of schedule, ensuring long-term operational reliability for South Africa’s key airbase.

Through collaborative engineering excellence, Zutari and its partners ensured that the upgraded Waterkloof Air Force Base continues to serve as a critical hub for national defence and aviation operations for decades to come.

Despite challenging geological conditions, the Waterkloof upgrade was delivered ahead of schedule, setting a benchmark for airbase infrastructure in South Africa.

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