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The Botswana government is seeking to acquire eight to twelve Gripen fighters for better and more affordable aircraft options, said the Minister of Defense and Security
. deal to acquire Gripen fighter planes from Swedish Saab. "Nothing has been finalized yet.In fact, nothing has been done (regarding Gripen agreement) .We are always looking for better and more affordable offers" Defense Minister Shaw Kgathi was quoted by Botswana Gazette as saying on Monday. At the end of last year, when the former president of Botswana, Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama, went to Sweden.
Gripens were intended to replace the aging F-5 fighter fleet of the Botswana Defense Forces (BDF) acquired more than two decades ago.
The paper also quotes sources from the BDF claiming that the military's desire to acquire Gripens was thwarted by budgetary constraints, as the Ministry of Defense and Security did not have the money. money needed to proceed with the acquisition.
The sources were in agreement with Minister Kgathi in that the BDF is still negotiating with several governments and aircraft builders around the world in search of affordable aircraft options.
The acquisition of aircraft is part of a force modernization program that also includes the replacement of former troop carriers, carriers, tanks, armored vehicles, aircrafts, Small arms and air defense systems.
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