Svenskt Flyghistoriskt Forum

LAST OF SAAF’S 2 SEATER JAS 39 GRIPENS ARRIVED IN SA!
The last 2 JAS 39 Gripen D dual seater aircraft arrived in Cape Town Harbour on Monday, 20 July 2009. The arrival of Gripens 3908 and 3909 brings the total of Gripen D aircraft on South African soil to 9. The Gripens are based at 2 Squadron, AFB Makhado.

The aircraft left the Swedish port of Norrköping on 3 July after having been flown there from the SAAB factory in Linköping. They were then shipped fully assembled, save for the brake assemblies and main wheels that had to be taken off for the long journey to South Africa. Upon arrival, the containers were hoisted off the vessel, the latter mentioned parts re-assembled before the aircraft were transported by road to AFB Ysterplaat where both Gripens were subjected to a routine service check after which they are to be flown to AFB Base Makhado.