The South African Air Force (SAAF) has awarded a contract to Diehl BGT Defence for the maintenance of infrared imaging system tail / thrust vector-controlled (IRIS-T) short-range air-to-air missiles (SRAAM).

The interim maintenance order includes the purging of missiles and the rental of gas filling equipment.

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The missile was acquired by SAAF as an interim weapon for the SAAB Gripen advanced light fighter aircraft in May 2008 at a cost of R101.8m ($15m).

IRIS-T is the only SRAAM that provides an anti-missile capability in self-defence and also provides full launch capability to the pilot under all modern countermeasure conditions, including blinding laser.

The first Denel Dynamics A-Darter fifth-generation SRAAM is expected to be delivered to the SAAF in 2013.

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