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South Africa receives third and fourth Gripens |
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Monday, 18 August 2008 |
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South Africa has taken ownership of its third and fourth Gripen fighter jets.
The South African Air Force (SAAF) has received its third and fourth Gripen multi-role fighter aircraft, at a ceremony in Cape Town this week.
The new planes were part of a 26-unit order that South Africa placed with a BAE Systems-Saab consortium as part of its 1999 strategic defence procurement programme.
The Gripen C/D fighters will replace the SAAF's existing fleet of Cheetah and Mirage F1 aircraft, allowing the air force to downsize its fighter fleet while also improving the operational capabilities of its national defence and regional peace missions.
It is expected that the remaining nine dual-seat and 17 single-seat Gripens will be completed and delivered by 2012. The planes will be operated by the SAAF's second squadron at air force base Makhado.
In 1995, Gripen designer Saab Mililtary Aircraft formed Gripen International (formerly Saab-BAe Gripen AB) with BAE Systems to adapt, manufacture and support the Gripen across a wider international audience.
The aircraft is currently in service with air forces in Sweden, the Czech Republic, Hungary and South Africa, and has been ordered by the Royal Thai Air Force, among others.  |
