The SA Air Force (SAAF) has acquired a small supply of high-tech IRIS-T short range air-to-air missiles (SRAAM) to arm its growing fleet of Gripen advanced light fighter aircraft. The wikipedia says the processor-heavy infrared guided missiles cost €400,000 (Euro) each. It is not known how many missiles SA has bought.

The IRIS-T (Infra Red Imaging System Tail/Thrust Vector-Controlled) will arm the Gripen as an interim solution until a local missile, the Denel A-Darter, becomes available. Diehl BGT Defence, the company that manufactures the IRIS-T, says the Air Force placed an order for the weapons in late May through the Department of Defense’s acquisitions agency, Armscor.

The company says the missiles will be fully operational by 2009. The SAAF, at present, has 3 Gripens. 2 Gripens will be added by year end and to 26 by 2012.

SA is the 2nd export customer for the pan-European missile. Austria preferred the IRIS-T missile at the end of 2005 and received 25 in 2007. It is also in service with the air forces of Germany, Greece, Italy, Norway, Spain and Sweden, the countries that collaborated to develop the missile.

The IRIS-T will be on display at Africa Aerospace & Defence show, in Cape Town by the month of September.