The first Gripen multirole fighter to be completed for an export customer has made its 1h 25 min debut flight from Saab Aerosystems' Linköping manufacturing plant in Sweden. The aircraft - a single-seat JAS39C - is one of 14 that will enter service with the Czech air force from April 2005. The Czech Republic is to operate 12 JAS39Cs and two two-seat D-model Gripens under a 10-year lease-to-buy agreement.
Source: Flight International
Sweden’s Defence Materiel Administration has awarded Saab a SKr466 million ($42 million) contract to support further development of the nation’s Gripen C/D fighter fleet.
Madrid has signed a project Halcon II contract covering the production of a further batch of 25 Eurofighter combat aircraft.
The German air force’s three Airbus A350 VIP transports are to be protected by Elbit Systems-supplied directed infrared countermeasures equipment.
