Sweden’s Gripen last week said the Hungarian air force declared 14 Gripen fighters operational for QRA tasks (Quick Reaction Alert) over Hungarian territory and air space and ready to take on NATO duty from the Kecskemet air force base.
“The QRA responsibilities for Gripen in the Hungarian air force proves once again that Gripen is a fully NATO interoperable fighter,” Henrik Hojer, program director at Gripen International said. “It is with great pleasure that we see Gripen becoming further established within NATO.”
Gripen will now alternate with the remaining MiG-29 fighters on duty providing armed standby protection, to completely replace the Russian built fighters by the end of 2009.