22 September 2022
by Gareth Jennings & Akshara Parakala
South Africa has signed a three-year support deal with Saab that would address availability problems with its Gripen C/D fleet. (Janes/Patrick Allen)
South Africa has contracted Saab to provide three years of support to some of its fleet of Gripen C/D combat aircraft.
Announced by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) on 19 September, the ZAR532 million (USD30 million) deal covers service, repairs, maintenance, and minor updates to the South African Air Force's (SAAF's) fleet of Gripen C/Ds that it has fielded operationally since 2008. The contract runs from 2022 to 2025.
While the SAAF officially lists 17 single-seat Gripen Cs and nine two-seat Gripen Ds in its inventory, two aircraft have been described as being beyond economic repair.
Speaking to Janes
18 March 2024
by Akhil Kadidal
The maritime reconnaissance version of the Indian Navy's Dornier Do 228 aircraft. (Janes/Patrick Allen)
The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to upgrade the Indian Navy's Dornier Do 228 fleet.
The contract, announced on 15 March, has a value of INR28.9 billion (USD348.6 million) and will cover the mid-life upgrade (MLU) of 25 Do 228s in the Indian Navy, including the installation of associated equipment. According to the MoD, the MLU will include the replacement of the aircraft's primary sensors and incorporation of new avionics.
“The upgrade would significantly enhance the operational capability of the Dornier aircraft of the Indian Navy to perform primary roles of maritime surveillance, coastal surveillance, electronic intelligence, and development of Maritime Domain Awareness,” the MoD said. “In addition, this upgrade will also enable Indian Navy Dorniers to carry out secondary roles of search and rescue, medical/casualty evacuation, and communication.”
The MoD said that the execution span of the MLU programme is six-and-a-half years.
For more information, please seeHAL (Dornier) 228 .
18 March 2024
by Akhil Kadidal
The acquisition of Bayraktar TB2 MALE tactical UAVs will allow the Maldives to patrol its exclusive economic zone for a range of up to 300 km. (BAYKAR/Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
The Maldives has inducted Baykar Bayraktar TB2 medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) tactical unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) while forming a new Air Corps to conduct air operations with the type.
Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu formally inducted three UAVs on 15 March and said the acquisition is part of an effort to enhance the military capabilities of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF). Janes assessed images of the UAV in MNDF service and identified one TB2 with the serial number AU703.
According to Muizzu, additional TB2s will be inducted. He added that Turkey also donated some military equipment “free of charge” to the MNDF.
The MNDF did not respond to a query from Janes
18 March 2024
by Gareth Jennings
The UK has 28 Hawk T2 trainer aircraft, of which between six and 11 were recorded as being serviceable throughout February 2024. (Janes/Gareth Jennings)
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has reported extremely low serviceability rates for the BAE Systems Hawk T2 trainer aircraft that it uses to train its fast jet pilots.
Answering questions in the House of Commons on 13 March, Minister of State for the Armed Forces at the MoD James Heappey disclosed that for February the serviceability rate for the advanced jet trainer aircraft had varied from a low of 21% to a high of 39%.
South Africa has contracted Saab to provide three years of support to some of its fleet of Gripen C/...
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