Aircraft

South Africa’s more than $2.2 billion air force modernisation process made a significant advance late last month, with the roll-out of the country’s first of 28 Saab Gripen C/D multirole fighters. To undertake its first flight in mid-November, the aircraft will initially remain at Saab’s Linköping facility to support test activities in Sweden and South Africa until late 2007. The manufacturer expects to complete assembly of the South African Air Force’s second Gripen in March 2007 and start deliveries in March 2008.

South Africa is also in the process of receiving 24 Hawk 120 lead-in fighter trainers from BAE Systems and local assembly partner Denel. The first South African-completed aircraft was delivered to the air force in early September. Deliveries of the service’s remaining aircraft will resume in the near future and conclude in mid-2006.

- Saab conducted the first flight of a two-seat Gripen D fighter for the Hungarian air force from its Linköping site last week.

CRAIG HOYLE/LONDON