First flight for South African Gripen C

The first single-seat Gripen C destined for the South African Air Force flew for the first time on Thursday 11th June.

6/16/2009 |

The aircraft, number 39.2101, was flown by Saab test pilot Richard Ljungberg. It took off from Saab's facility at Linköping in Sweden at 13.00 and touched down safely back at Linköping at 14.03 in the afternoon. The aircraft will undergo a short flight test programme ahead of delivery to South Africa.

South Africa has ordered 17 Gripen C and 9 dual-seat Gripen D fighters under a comprehensive military transformation and modernisation programme.