SAAB rolls out first SAAF Gripen
Date: 28 October 2005
SAAB will today roll out the first production Gripen advanced light fighter for the SA Air Force at its Linkoping facility in central Sweden. South Africa has bought 28 of the aircraft, to be delivered from 2007 to 2012.
The Gripen programme got underway exactly two years ago with the commissioning of the production line. South Africa placed orders for the 28 aircraft (nine dual seat and 19 single-seat versions) in December 1999. The design incorporates several then-new features which have become standard items for the Gripen Export baseline version. Among these are the in-flight
refuelling system, On-board Oxygen Generator (OBOGS) - which enables the pilots to continue operating on extended missions - a new cockpit climate control system, NATO-interoperable stores pylons, colour cockpit displays a new communications suite and also instruments calibrated in Imperial units.
The Gripen unveiled today will next undertake flight trials in Sweden, after which the aircraft will undergo a further flight test programme in South Africa next year where the South African-specific equipment will be proven and certified. The aircraft will then be on track to be delivered into service with the South African Air Force in 2007.
The South African Air Force (SAAF) will use its Gripens in conjunction with 24 new Hawk Lead-In Fighter Trainers. Together they will replace the SAAF's ageing fleet of Impala (Aermacchi MB326) and Mirage/Cheetah fighters. This represents a significant technological transformation in the standard of aircraft system being operated by the SAAF. At the same time, the new
technology embodied in Gripen and Hawk, enable the SAAF to reduce its existing jet trainer and fighter fleet by 75 percent. This downsizing is in line with policy formulated after the first democratic election in 1994 which calls for a smaller, more affordable, but technologically sophisticated defence capability to protect the country's airspace and to ensure regional stability through South Africa's participation in peace-support operations. During the subsequent in-service period, that will last for several decades, the support and upgrading activities associated with modern fighter aircraft will ensure a steady flow of job-opportunities for industries in South Africa and Sweden.
Gripen is a multi-role and swing-role fighter aircraft. This means that the pilot can reconfigure the Gripen's systems in-flight so that it can operate in more than one role (fighter, ground attack & reconnaissance) during the same mission. Chief of the SA Air Force, LTG Carlo Gagiano said the Gripen will be used in peace missions or as part of the African Union Standby Force. The Hawks and Gripens will cost South Africa US2.2 billion. In return, SAAB & BAE Systems are delivering US8.7 billion in economic benefits to South Africa through a combination of investments, exports and jobs across a broad array of strategic industrial sectors.
Regarding South Africa's other arms deal acquisitions, the first Hawks will come into service next year, while the first patrol corvette for the SA Navy was approaching completion of its combat suite integration and would be handed to the navy in February 2006. The first submarine is to be commissioned in Germany next Thursday and will be handed over to the Navy on the same day.
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