SOUTH AFRICAN GRIPEN
CLEARED FOR TAKE OFF!
Deliveries to South Africa are in full swing, on time and within budget. They will continue through until 2012.
The SAAF’s Gripens are flown and maintained by the crews and personnel of 2 Squadron, stationed at AFB Makhado in Limpopo Province. Since the delivery of the first Gripen in 2008, Gripen Pilot Instructor and Technical training have also been commenced at AFB Makhado.
| “The other positive investment that the SAAF made was the Gripen air- and ground crew training capability. A Computer Based Training (CBT) System and two Squadron Level Mission Trainers have been commissioned and these assets enable very cost effective training of air- and ground crew by our own instructors. The SAAF has trained 10 aircrew and 40 technicians to date, initially with SAAB assistance and now with own resources.” says Lt Gen Carlo Cagiano, Chief of the South African Air Force |
All of the Gripens currently on strength in the SAAF are operational and provide the air force with its front-line air defence and fighter capabilities.
Image: South African Gripen over Pretoria, South Africa. Photo: Frans Dely.
| “The Gripen is ready for the Air Policing role during the World Cup Soccer 2010 event, just two years into the implementation phase of the system. During the lead up to this event and in many other areas of capability the Gripen System is proving to be a very credible combat system, force multiplier and technology advancement opportunity. The decision to procure the Gripen for the SAAF was a good one.” says Lt Gen Carlo Cagiano, Chief of the South African Air Force. |
Image: South African Gripen over Loskop Dam, South Africa. Photo: Frans Dely.
Safeguarding the World Cup
From 11 June to 11 July 2010, South Africa is hosting the biggest sporting event of the year – the 2010 FIFA Football World Cup. South Africa’s growing fleet of Gripen fighters will be in the frontline, ready to provide airspace security and protection for this global event. In preparation for the World Cup event, the SA Air Force’s Gripens were successfully deployed on airspace patrol missions during last year's FIFA Confederation Cup tournament in Gauteng province, South Africa. In addition, the SAAF Gripens participated in peace enforcement exercises where they provided air combat patrols over a ground-to-air reconnaissance mission and in a training counter-insurgency strike.
