Saab to continue maintenance of Swedish AF trainers

LINKOPING, Sweden, Oct. 16 (UPI) -- Saab will continue to support and maintain SK60 jet trainers of the Swedish Air Force for three more years under a $49 million contract.

The award was issued by the Swedish Defense Materiel Administration and comes into effect in July of 2017.

"The extended contract is a comprehensive undertaking whereby we ensure the complete readiness of the SK60 fleet," said Jonas Hjelm, head of Saab's Support and Services business. "We provide guaranteed flight hours at a fixed cost, in what is known as a 'power-by-the-hour' agreement.

"The contract is a confirmation of our ability to deliver a complete support solution over a product's entire lifecycle and it also guarantees availability for the customer."

The SK60 is the Swedish military designation for Saab's SK105 jet trainer, which first entered service in Sweden in 1967. It has a maximum speed of 603 miles per hour and a range of 1,242 miles.

Saab has maintained and supported the continuously upgraded aircraft for Sweden since 2008.