Fifth Gripen Fighter Delivered to South Africa

Fifth Gripen Fighter Delivered to South Africa

(NSI News Source Info) December 3, 2008: South Africa has taken delivery of its fifth Gripen multi-role fighter as part of the SA Air Force’s modernisation and transformation programme. The aircraft, a dual seat operational type conversion variant, arrived in Cape Town on Saturday 29th November.

South Africa ordered 26 Gripens, of which nine are dual seat aircraft. Deliveries of 17 single-seat fighters will commence when the dual-seat aircraft have all been taken into SA Air Force service with the final aircraft on schedule to be delivered by 2012.

The aircraft and associated industrial offset benefits are being delivered according to the schedule stipulated by South Africa when it ordered the aircraft in December 1999. The SA Air Force Gripen fleet is operated by 2 Squadron, stationed at AFB Makhado in South Africa’s northern Limpopo province.

The first group of six pilot instructors is currently undergoing training on Gripen at AFB Makhado. All six pilots made their first Gripen solo flights on 26 October. The training course is being delivered by Saab instructors.

Apart from the comprehensive conversion to type training for pilots and maintenance technicians, Saab has also provided and delivered Mission Simulators, a Computer Based Training System, and an extensive Logistics Support Package consisting of Ground Support Equipment, spare parts and enabling products that are located at AFB Makhado as well as other SAAF supporting bases.