Silly CAS :

The Saab 105 is a Swedish high-wing, twinjet trainer aircraft developed in the early 1960s as a private venture by Saab AB.[2] The Swedish Air Force, which had opted to procure the type for various roles, designated the aircraft SK 60. The SK 60 entered service in 1967, replacing the ageing De Havilland Vampire fleet.

The Swedish Air Force bought 150 aircraft and another 40 were exported to Austria, designated Saab 105Ö. The Saab 105 was the aircraft used by Swedish Air Force display team Team 60 and was formerly used by two display teams of the Austrian Air Force, "Karo As" and "Silver Birds".

operational history:

In July 1967, the first Swedish Air Force student pilots started training on the Saab 105.[15] In July 1970, Austrian Air Force pilot training activities on the type began. In August 2010, 22 of Austria's Saab 105 aircraft remained operational, attaining a combined total flight time of roughly 1,500 flying hours per year.[16]

During the 1990s, by which point the existing engines of the Swedish Air Force's SK 60 fleet were considered to be towards the end of their technical and economic lifespan, it was decided to replace the Turbomeca Aubisque engines with newly built Williams International FJ44 engines, which are lighter and less costly to operate. In November 1993, a contract was signed for the re-engining of 115 aircraft. The number of aircraft to be upgraded was subsequently reduced as a result of cuts to the defence budget.[17] The replacement was performed as a low-cost measure to fulfill the Swedish Air Force's continuing requirement for a primary trainer aircraft.[14] In September 1996, the first of these upgraded aircraft, which was redesignated as the SK 60W, was re-delivered to the Swedish Air Force.[17][18]

In June 2007, Saab signed a long term service agreement with the Austrian Air Force to provide logistics and technical support for their Saab 105Ö fleet for a further 10–15 years.[19] Austria retired the Saab 105 in December 2020.[20] In December 2008, Saab received a SKr900 million ($115 million) contract to support extended operations of Sweden's 105 trainer fleet up to mid-2017.[21] In September 2009, a SKr130 million ($18.8 million) contract to deliver a package of cockpit and system upgrades for the SK 60 aircraft was signed. One goal of this modernisation was increased compatibility with the Saab JAS 39 Gripen, the primary combat aircraft of the Swedish Air Force.[22]

In October 2009, Saab proposed replacing the Swedish Air Force's SK 60 trainers with the Embraer Super Tucano.[23] In March 2014, the Swedish Air Force publicly acknowledged that it was to begin studying replacement options for the Saab 105. Major General Micael Bydén observed that multinational training opportunities were being examined and that prospective replacement aircraft included the Alenia Aermacchi M-346, BAE Systems Hawk and Pilatus PC-21.[24] In March 2014, Saab and Pilatus Aircraft signed a memorandum of understanding to offer the PC-21 to the Swedish Air Force.[25]

In April 2015, a request for information (RFI) was issued by the Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) for a new Military Flying Training System, to provide long term basic and advanced training fleet functions. The advanced trainer requirements specify the presence of an embedded training capability, including simulated radar and weapons use, as well as tactical displays in both cockpit positions resembling fourth and fifth-generation jet fighter aircraft.[26]

In 2020, Saab signed a new service agreement with the Swedish Armed Forces to provide support for the Saab 105 to 2025, with one year option to 2026.[27] However, the type was officially retired 18 June 2024.[28]

In May 2021, the Grob G 120TP was chosen as the new basic trainer for the Swedish Air force, with first airplanes to be operational in 2023. The Saab Gripen will take on the advanced pilot training.[29]