| Austrian Drakens |
The Draken's last export customer was the Österreichische Luftstreitskräfte (Austrian Air Force) which ordered 24 J35D aircraft, designated 35OE, in May 1985.
The 35OEs were refurbished before delivery by the same SAAB/FFV Aerotech combination then working on the J35J; 1.000 flying hours and updated avionics
was added to these mid-1960s airframes, but both cannon and the original radar were retained.
The first aircraft was handed over on June 25, 1987. Deliveries started in late 1987, but initially all Drakens were retained in Sweden for pilot training at
Ängelholm. The 1st and 2nd Staffel of 2nd Fliegerregiment received the full order in 1988/1989.
Like Finland, Austrian military forces are restricted by a peace treaty originating at the conclusion of the Second World War, but not signed until 1955.
According to this, a maximum of 5000 personnel and 70 defensive combat aircraft are allowed in Air Force service. Until recently there has also been a
complete ban on guided missile systems of any kind, but now Austria has extraordinarily been allowed to purchase AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles for its Drakens.
In the summary you can see the Austrian operators of the Saab 35 Draken.
Sources:
Tony Buttler - Draken, A Swedish Masterpiece (Air Int'l 03-2000)
Jan Jorgensen - SAAB 35 Draken (ISBN 1 85310 729 8)
|
| Austrian Draken Squadrons |
| Wing: |
Squadron: |
Base: |
Type: |
Number: |
Period: |
| FlRg2 |
1 Staffel |
Zeltweg |
J35OE |
12 |
1988- |
| FlRg2 |
2 Staffel |
Graz-Thalerhof |
J35OE |
12 |
1988- |
|
|
|
