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Gripen in South Africa
In 1999 South Africa placed a combined order on BAE Systems for 24 Hawk Mk.120 Lead-In Fighter Trainers and 26 Gripen advanced fighters, the latter supplied in a partnership between BAE Systems and Saab.
The aircraft are enabling the South African Air Force (SAAF) to modernise its fighter fleet and streamline its fast-jet pilot training capability. With Hawk and Gripen, the SAAF will achieve a 75 percent reduction in its fleet inventory while increasing its operational national air defence and regional peace-support capabilities.
The SAAF received its first Hawks in 2006. All 24 will have been delivered to 85 Combat Flying School at AFB Makhado, by the end of 2007.
The first South African Gripen arrived in the country during mid-2006 and is currently based at the SAAF’s Test Flight Development Centre where it is engaged in an extensive flight test and development programme to validate and certificate South African avionics and weapons systems. First Gripen deliveries will commence in early 2008.
