The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), South Africa, has received a contract from the South African Air Force (SAAF) to assist the Gripen team with on-demand technical support.

The deal for a consultation service for the identification and correction of problems with data communication between Gripen aircraft closes on 16 February 2011.

As part of a “strategic defence package”, South Africa ordered 28 Saab Gripen C and D advanced light fighter aircraft, later trimmed to 26.

The Gripen were acquired as a package with 24 BAE Systems Hawk mk120 lead-in fighter trainers, reports defenceweb.co.za.