First SA single-seat Gripens on production line
Date: 2 June 2009
By Leon Engelbrecht
The first single-seat Gripen advanced light fighter aircraft on order for the South African Air Force as part of Project Ukhozi is already on the Saab production line at Linköping in Sweden.
SA is purchasing 26 of the fighters for R19.9 billion.
The Air Force purchased nine two-seater and 17 single seat aircraft. Seven of the nine two-seaters have already been delivered and the remaining two will arrive in SA later this year.
The first gun-equipped single-seat fighter will arrive at 2 Squadron at AFB Makhado by early next year.
The aircraft will net year help enforce no fly zones over Soccer World Cup venues. Chief of the Air Force Lt Carlo Gagiano earlier this year said he wanted some of the versatile fighters on interceptor duty for the FIFA event.
The single seat Gripen variant is fitted with a 27mm Mauser cannon while the two-seater requires a pod-fitted gun. Both can carry missiles. The SAAF lat year ordered a number of IRIS-T (Infra Red Imaging System Tail/Thrust Vector Controlled) short-range air-to-air missiles for the fighter.
