South Africa orders British Aerospace/Saab Gripen and Hawk Jets
SOUTH AFRICA ORDERS BRITISH AEROSPACE/SAAB GRIPEN AND HAWK JETS South Africa today announced a package of orders and options for 28 Gripen advanced fighters and 24 Hawk jet trainers from British Aerospace and Saab AB of Sweden. South Africa will initially take delivery of nine dual seat Gripen and 12 Hawk trainers with options on forther 19 single seat Gripen and 12 Hawks. " We are delighted with the South African Government's decision and look forward to a sustainable long term partnership, " British Aerospace Chief Executive John Weston said today. Saab AB President and Chief Executive Officer Bengt Halse said today: "We are impressed by the proffesional procurement process and are looking forward to a long and mutually prosperous co-operation with South Africa." The nine dual-seat multi-role Gripen for South Africa are the first export orders for this cost-effective system which is alredy in service with the Swedish Air Force. Designed for low operating cost, Gripen is the first fourth generation fighter in operational service. Sweden has ordered 204 Gripens. British Aerospace and Saab will jointly provide an offset programme, which will generate increases in domestic sales, exports and investments in South African industry in general and also major direct work for the South African aerospace and defence industry. Gripen for South Africa features several new developments including in-flight refuelling, avionics and communications equipment from Grintek Avitronics of South Africa. New stores and payload pylons will be designed and produced to NATO-interoperable specification by South Africa's Denel Aviation. British Aerospace will deliver 24 dual-seat Hawk 100 Lead-in Fighter Trainers (LIFT). Hawk is the world's most successful jet trainer with more than 750 aircraft in service or on order for 17 air forces. Hawk 100 has the versatility and cost-effectiveness that make it the ideal choice to bridge the gap between South Africa's Pilatus Astra basic trainer and Gripen's advanced, sophisticated systems. South African suppliers will receive significant work customising Hawk and Gripen to meet local requirements. Analysis Management & Systems and Crintek are already contracted to supply communications, flight safety and airframe fatigue monitoring systems for the international Hawk 100 programme. For further information, please contact: Jan Ahlgren, Vice President Communications & Public Affairs (Saab) +46-13-18 39 07 +46-70 5183907 (mobile) email: jan.w.ahlgren@saab.se Locksley Ryan,Director of Communications (British Aerospace) +44-1252 383 836 Linden Birns, (PR Consultant, Plane Talking) +27-21 789 29 77 (office) +27-82 568 8031 (mobile) ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1999/09/15/19990915BIT00670/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1999/09/15/19990915BIT00670/bit0002.pdf