Yesterday, the first completed Gripen destined for South Africa was unveiled in a roll-out ceremony at Saab's production facility at Linköping, Sweden.

The aircraft will now be prepared for an extensive flight test programme to integrate South Africa's custom avionics and mission systems. First flight is scheduled to take place in Sweden in two weeks. In mid-2006 the first Gripen will arrive at the Test and Flight Development Centre in South Africa.

In November 1998, South Africa ordered 28 Gripen fighters, 19 single-seater and 9 two-seaters. The aircraft will be delivered to the South African Air Force from 2008 onwards, with all aircraft to be delivered by 2012. The combined contract for 28 Gripens and 24 Hawks signed with BAE Systems is estimated to be worth US$2.2 billion.

Headlines

Final Three Gripen Fighters Delivered to Hungary (13 Dec 2007)
Swedish Air Force Gripen Upgrade Contract Finalized (17 Oct 2007)
Swedish Air Force Gripen Gets Cobra Helmet-Mounted Display (03 Oct 2007)
Two More Hungarian Gripen Fighters Delivered (13 Aug 2007)
SAAB Selected GE F414G Engine for New Gripen Variant (02 Jul 2007)
Second Meteor missile firings with Gripen completed (21 Jun 2006)
First Five Gripen Fighters have arrived in Hungary (22 Mar 2006)
Maiden Flight First South African Gripen (11 Nov 2005)
First South African Gripen Roll-out (29 Oct 2005)
First Flight Dual Seat Hungarian Gripen (28 Oct 2005)
Final Czech Gripens Delivered (31 Aug 2005)
First Flight Czech Two-seat Gripen (21 Apr 2005)
First Six Gripen Arrive in Czech Republic (18 Apr 2005)
Hungarian Saab Gripen First Flight (20 Feb 2005)
First Hungarian Gripen Ready (25 Jan 2005)
Celebration of the First Czech Republic Gripen aircraft (15 Dec 2004)
Maiden Flight of First Czech Gripen (18 Oct 2004)