YYZPICS
03-22-2006, 02:50 AM
BUDAPEST, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Five Gripen JAS-39 fighter planes -- three one-seaters and two two-seaters -- arrived at a Hungarian air base in Kecskemet, south-central Hungary, on Tuesday,the first batch of a 14-plane order delivered by Sweden.
Hungary has agreed to lease the Gripens for ten years, after which they will become Hungarian property.
Four Hungarian and three Swedish pilots test-flew the five craft late Tuesday
The official transfer of the fighter jets to the Hungarian air force will take place on March 30.
The craft are equipped with systems for mid-air refueling, laser-guided bombs and on-board oxygen generation.
By 2009, Hungary is expected to have the most up-to-date air defense system in Central and Eastern Europe with the arrival of all the Gripens, Hungarian Defense Minister Ferenc Juhasz said.
The program to replace Hungary's Russia-made MiG-29 fleet was introduced with the aim to develop a system compatible with that of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, he said. The contract was signed in 2001 for an overall leasing cost of HUF 210 billion (about 807 million euros). It involves two two-seat airplanes and 12 single-seaters as well as ground maintenance facilities, a simulator, and training for pilots and ground crews. Enditem
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-03/22/content_4330447.htm
Hungary has agreed to lease the Gripens for ten years, after which they will become Hungarian property.
Four Hungarian and three Swedish pilots test-flew the five craft late Tuesday
The official transfer of the fighter jets to the Hungarian air force will take place on March 30.
The craft are equipped with systems for mid-air refueling, laser-guided bombs and on-board oxygen generation.
By 2009, Hungary is expected to have the most up-to-date air defense system in Central and Eastern Europe with the arrival of all the Gripens, Hungarian Defense Minister Ferenc Juhasz said.
The program to replace Hungary's Russia-made MiG-29 fleet was introduced with the aim to develop a system compatible with that of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, he said. The contract was signed in 2001 for an overall leasing cost of HUF 210 billion (about 807 million euros). It involves two two-seat airplanes and 12 single-seaters as well as ground maintenance facilities, a simulator, and training for pilots and ground crews. Enditem
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-03/22/content_4330447.htm