In March 2008 SA01, a fully-instrumented two-seat Gripen D aircraft became the first of 26 Gripen fighters to be delivered to the South African Air Force. Deliveries will continue until 2012. South Africa's Gripen procurement programme has consistently proven its ability to deliver significant economic benefits to the country through a highly successful set of Industrial Participation (offset) activities. These have resulted in increased exports of South African manufactured goods, transfer of new technologies to the country and the creation and preservation of jobs.