Military and defence technology company Saab has received a three-year support contract from the South African Air Force (SAAF) to ensure the latter’s Gripen fighter jets remain airworthy and serviceable.

The SAAF’s fleet of Gripens has been grounded since the third quarter of 2021 owing to a lack of funds to keep them maintained and in the air, which was further exacerbated by the maintenance and support contracts for the fighters lapsing and not being renewed.

In addition, because the Gripen simulator based at 2 Squadron’s headquarters in Makhado, Limpopo, is part of the maintenance and support contract, this meant that Gripen pilots and trainee pilots could also not practice and refine their skills while the fleet was grounded.

The R532-million support contract awarded to Saab covers the servicing, repairing and maintenance of the SAAF’s Gripen C- and D-series jet fighters, as well as minor updates of the support and training systems of the SAAF’s Gripen system.

The SAAF has operated the Gripen C- and D-series jets since 2008, having been Saab’s first export customer for Gripen fast jets.

Speaking to Engineering News & Mining Weekly on the sidelines of the Africa Aerospace and Defence Expo, on September 22, Saab Aeronautics head Jonas Hjelm said the newly inked support contract gives Saab a good foundation, together with the SAAF, to have a long-term plan on how many aircraft are going to fly and how Saab can support the SAAF in getting some of its Gripen fleet airworthy.

“Certain parts [of the contract] are for training equipment, like simulators . . . which is necessary to prepare the pilots, as well as the technicians to [ensure the] aircraft fly,” he added.

Hjelm noted, however, that the contract did not cover a specific number of aircraft and that the SAAF would need to decide which ones it wants covered by the contract. “The contract covers [Saab] providing [to the SAAF] spare parts, time, manuals or service bulletins. How many aircraft [are covered] is something [the SAAF] will decide.”

He added that, despite Saab being involved with the contract, ultimately it was the SAAF that was responsible for the airworthiness of its Gripen fighters. “We, as an original-equipment manufacturer, come with recommendations on what to do at certain times [in the life of an aircraft], what kinds of upgrades [are recommended], updates you should do to [ensure] the aircraft is up to date.”

Meanwhile, Hjelm stated that, if the SAAF wanted to upgrade its fleet of Gripens to ensure thst they did not suffer from a degree of obsolescence, then a number of possibilities existed.

“They have to decide what they want to use the aircraft for. From that perspective, [we encourage them to] have a dialogue with us about what kind of upgrades are available, not just from a flight safety point of view, but also from an operational effectiveness point of view.”

Another route of upgrades is to extend capabilities of the aircraft, such as sensor capabilities, and upgrades to integrate new weapons.

“I am very happy and satisfied that we have now reached an agreement for a new support contract, so that we in the very best way can support our customers with their operational needs,” said Saab Gripen sustainment head Åsa Schöllin.

Over 150-million people in five countries on three continents rely on the Gripen C-series to protect their sovereign air space and ensure their independence.