Sweden will participate with Gripen fighters at the Bulgarian International Aviation Festival (BIAF) on 3-4 September 2011.

The Swedish Air Force will participate in the event with four Gripen fighters. SwAF pilot Martin Hansson will perform a stunning air display during both Saturday and Sunday. Gripen will also be shown on the static display.

Saab invites all BIAF visitors to their stand to meet the team and to learn more about the Swedish Gripen fighter. Invited guests will also get a chance to test their flying skills in the Gripen simulator.

Gripen is in operational service with the Swedish, Czech Republic, Hungarian, South African and Royal Thai Air Forces. The UK Empire Test Pilots’ School (ETPS) is also operating Gripen as its advanced fast jet platform for test pilots worldwide.

In March 2011 the Swedish Government delivered a response to the RFI of the Bulgarian Ministry of Defence concerning the fighter procurement. The Swedish offer includes eight new Gripen fighters, a flexible financial solution and offset to be delivered by Saab.

Representatives of Saab, the manufacturer of the Gripen fighter; the Swedish Defense and Security Export Agency (FXM) and the Swedish Armed Forces will attend the air show.

“We are looking forward to taking part in the air show and are proud to see the Gripen fighter flying in Bulgaria. It will be a show worth seeing,” says Daniel Boestad, Vice President at Saab, Central and Eastern Europe, Balkans.

SAAB press release