South Africa's first Gripen fighter planes takes the scenic route home
Date: 17 July 2006
The first of South Africa's fleet of 28 Gripen aircraft ordered to re-equip the South African National Defence Force was towed through Cape Town to Ysterplaat Air Force Base from Cape Town Harbour yesterday.
"Once at Ysterplaat, the Gripen will be prepared for its ferry flight to the SA Air Force's Test Flight and Development Centre at Overberg Air Force Base, near Bredasdorp, where it will be based," said the Swedish company Saab, which made the aircraft.
The first Gripen to bear South African livery, it was unveiled by Public Enterprises Minister Alec Erwin after coming off the Saab production line in October.
It would participate in the aerospace and defence show at Ysterplaat in September.
Saab South Africa spokesman Stephen Laufer told SABC radio news the Gripens would be part of a flight test programme at Bredasdorp as a precursor to going into service with the Air Force between 2008 and 2011.
The fleet is part of the multi-million rand Strategic Defence Procurement Programme.
The newly-delivered Gripen was taken along Marine Drive from Paarden Eiland to Milnerton; along Boundary Road from Marine Drive to Koeberg Road and along Koeberg Road from Boundary Road to Ysterplaat Air Force Base.
Cape Times
