Gripen International,
On 1 September, the first group of South African Air Force pilots commenced their Gripen conversion training at Air Force Base Makhado in the country’s Limpopo province.
A vital part of the agreement between Saab and South Africa is the training of the pilots and technicians needed to fly and maintain Gripen fighters in South Africa. The first group of 6 pilots, all of whom started their training on the BAE Systems Hawk Lead-In Fighter Trainer aircraft – whose cockpits were specifically designed to replicate the Gripen cockpit to aid the conversion process – are now commencing their Gripen training.
Two Swedish instructor pilots from Saab will be based at AFB Makhado for a period of 18 months, to undertake the training and support of the South African pilots. Earlier this year, South African technicians were given a full maintenance type conversion course for the Gripen fighter, as well as training on the ground support equipment which has been delivered with the aircraft.
South Africa has ordered twenty-six Gripen fighters of the latest C/D standard, 9 two-seaters and 17 single seaters. Deliveries commenced this year, with four aircraft already in-country. These were officially handed-over as the first of the country’s fleet of new generation Gripen fighters to Lt. Gen. Carlo Gagiano, Chief of the South African Air Force on 17 September at the prestigious Africa Aerospace and Defence show held in Cape Town.
The remainder of the aircraft is scheduled to be delivered progressively until 2012.
