South Africa’s first Gripen, SA01, rolled off the assembly line in October 2005 and flew for the first time on 11 November. This aircraft, a fully test-instrumented two-seater Gripen D, is based at the SA Air Force’s Test Flight Development Centre in the Southern Cape. Here it is engaged in the comprehensive integration and development of customised South African avionics, weapons and systems. The first South African Gripen aircraft will enter service with the SAAF in 2008.