Editing Saab 105 (section)

==Operational history==
{{expand section|early Swedish history, Austrian operations|date=April 2016}}

[[File:Austrian Air Force Saab 105 Oe arrives for RIAT Fairford 10thJuly2014 arp.jpg|thumb|An [[Austrian Air Force]] Saab 105Ö arrives for the 2014 [[Royal International Air Tattoo]], England. The colour scheme commemorates 40 years of use by the Austrian Air Force]]

In July 1967, the first Swedish Air Force student pilots started training on the Saab 105.<ref>[http://saabgroup.com/cs-CZ/about-company/history/1960s/ "1960s."] ''Saab'', retrieved 9 April 2016.</ref>  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.<ref>[http://saabgroup.com/sv/media/news-press/news/2010-08/anniversary_of_sk60_in_austria/ "40th anniversary of SK60 in Austria."] ''Saab Group'', 13 August 2010.</ref>

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.<ref name = "1996 upgrade"/> The replacement was performed as a low-cost measure to fulfill the Swedish Air Force's continuing requirement for a primary trainer aircraft.<ref name = "eng repla extract"/> In September 1996, the first of these upgraded aircraft, which was redesignated as the ''SK 60W'', was re-delivered to the Swedish Air Force.<ref name = "1996 upgrade">[https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/saab-prepares-delivery-of-upgraded-sk60w-12588/ "Saab prepares delivery of upgraded Sk60W."] ''Flight International'', 26 June 1996.</ref><ref>[https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/swedish-defence-unit-11669/ "Swedish defence unit."] ''Flight International'', 18 September 1996.</ref>

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.<ref>[http://saabgroup.com/media/news-press/news/2007-06/new-agreement-strengthens-the-relations-between-saab-and-the-austrian-armed-forces/ "New agreement strengthens the relations between Saab and the Austrian Armed Forces."]  ''Saab'', 18 June 2007.</ref> Austria retired the Saab 105 in December 2020.<ref name="AI221p11">Allport 2021, p. 11.</ref> In December 2008, Saab received a SKr900&nbsp;million ($115&nbsp;million) contract to support extended operations of Sweden's 105 trainer fleet up to mid-2017.<ref>Hoyle, Craig. [https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/swedish-air-force-to-extend-use-of-saab-105-trainers-320375/ "Swedish air force to extend use of Saab 105 trainers."] ''Flight International'', 20 December 2008.</ref> In September 2009, a SKr130&nbsp;million ($18.8&nbsp;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.<ref>Hoyle, Craig.  [https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/saab-105-upgrade-to-boost-interoperability-with-swed-332555/ "Saab 105 upgrade to boost interoperability with Sweden's Gripen fleet."] ''Flight International'', 21 September 2009.</ref>

In October 2009, Saab proposed replacing the Swedish Air Force's SK 60 trainers with the [[Embraer Super Tucano]].<ref>[http://saabgroup.com/sv/media/news-press/news/2009-10/enhanced-gripen-proposal-to-brazil/ "Enhanced Gripen proposal to Brazil."]  ''Saab'', 2 October 2009.</ref> 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]].<ref>Hoyle, Craig. [https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/swedish-air-force-studies-airlift-trainer-renewal-o-397131/  "Swedish air force studies airlift, trainer renewal options."] ''Flight International'', 18 March 2014.</ref> In March 2014, Saab and [[Pilatus Aircraft]] signed a memorandum of understanding to offer the PC-21 to the Swedish Air Force.<ref>Hoyle, Craig. [https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/saab-pilatus-to-pitch-pc-21-trainer-to-sweden-397615/ "Saab, Pilatus to pitch PC-21 trainer to Sweden."] ''Flight International'', 31 March 2014.</ref>

In April 2015, a request for information (RFI) was issued by the [[Defence Materiel Administration (Sweden)|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-generation jet fighter|fourth]] and [[fifth-generation jet fighter]] aircraft.<ref>[https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/sweden-launches-future-military-pilot-training-conte-412545/ "Sweden launches future military pilot training contest."] ''Flight International'', 20 May 2015.</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.saab.com/sv/newsroom/press-releases/2020/saab-tecknar-supportavtal-gallande-sk60|title = Saab tecknar supportavtal gällande SK60}}</ref>  However, the type was officially retired 18 June 2024.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.twz.com/air/swedens-unique-little-saab-105-jet-retired-after-57-years|title = Sweden's little jet retired after 57 years}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forsvarsmakten.se/sv/aktuellt/2021/05/nytt-skolflygplan-till-flygvapnet/|title=Nytt skolflygplan till flygvapnet}}</ref>