LINKOPING, Sweden, Dec. 20 (UPI) -- South Africa has given Saab a $27.4 million steady state support contract for Gripen fighters flown by the South African air force since 2008.
Previously, Gripen fighters in South Africa were serviced under short-term interim support contracts and the new contract will enable Saab to conduct support operations in a more sustainable manner.
The contract signed with Armscor, a state-owned organization for acquisition of defense products, is for three years.
"Signing of the steady state support contract marks the start of a deeper and extended relationship between Saab, Armscor and the South African air force," said Magnus Lewis-Olsson, head of Saab's Sub-Saharan Africa market area. "The Gripen operation climbs out of testing and delivery phase with ad hoc, short-term support efforts into a real sustained South African Fighting Force, constantly ready and supported by Saab."
Additional contract details were not revealed.
