Sweden orders Grob G120TP
On 5 May 2021, the Försvarets materielverk (FMV, Swedish Defence Materiel Administration) officially announced that the Grob G120TP has been selected as the new basic training aircraft for the Flygvapet (SwedAF, Swedish Air Force). The type will replace the ageing Saab 105, also known as the Sk60.
On 2 April 2020, Scramble Magazine reported on the new pilot training concept for Sweden. The new structure will see the introduction of a propeller-driven aircraft to take care of the Grundläggande Flygutbildning (GFU, Basic Flying Training). For the advanced instruction phase, the SwedAF will use the Saab JAS39 Gripen as an Advanced Training Aircraft. The JAS39s are expected to enter the programme around 2025 as a stop gap solution. For the longer term, Sweden is looking at a new advanced trainer. The current Sk60 jet trainers will continue to be in service for a few more years.
The head of the Swedish Air Force, Major General Carl-Johan Edström, mentioned that the procurement process the basic trainer has been completed and the contracts have been signed through the FMV. A total of seven G120TPs and a simulator will be delivered with an option for further acquisition. The first delivery of the G120TP, in Swedish service known as the Sk40, is scheduled for 2022 and the first pilot students will start training in the summer of 2023 at Linköping/Malmen.
Photo by Christoph G Schubert via Svenska Dagbladet