The Ecuadorian Air Force (FAE) has received 12 Cheetah C supersonic fighter aircraft from Denel Aviation.

Under the terms of the agreement, the South African company will continue to provide a comprehensive maintenance and support service for at least five years following the sale, with an option for renewal.

Maintenance and acceptance flight testing will be conducted in South Africa and Ecuador.

Denel Aviation CEO Mike Kgobe said the Cheetahs had been in storage since they were retired from duty in 2008.

The Denel Cheetah C and D aircraft were retired from service following South Africa’s acquisition of its new fleet of Saab Gripen fighter jets under the Strategic Defence package acquisition programmes.