Brazil has taken a significant step forward in developing its domestic aerospace industry with the unveiling of the first Saab JAS 39 Gripen E produced in the country. The aircraft is the result of long-term cooperation between Embraer and Saab, together with the Brazilian Air Force, and was officially presented at Embraer’s industrial complex in Gavião Peixoto.
The ceremony was attended by senior political and military officials, including Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Minister of Defense José Múcio Monteiro Filho, and Air Force Commander Marcelo Kanitz Damasceno, alongside industry representatives from both Brazil and Sweden.
According to Embraer, the program represents more than just aircraft production—it marks a strategic transfer of knowledge and technology, positioning Brazil among a select group of nations capable of manufacturing advanced supersonic fighter jets. Bosco da Costa Junior emphasized that the Gripen produced in Brazil demonstrates the country’s ability to develop and manufacture sophisticated air superiority systems while strengthening national security and its industrial base.
A similar message was conveyed by Micael Johansson, who highlighted that the project symbolizes a partnership built on trust and long-term cooperation, with strong potential for further technological development and export opportunities.
Production in Gavião Peixoto involves both Brazilian and international supply chains, with key components such as aerostructures also manufactured at Saab’s facility in São Bernardo do Campo. An additional 14 aircraft under the current contract will be produced following the same model.
Before final delivery, each aircraft undergoes extensive functional and flight testing, after which it will join the fleet already delivered to the First Air Defense Group at Anápolis Air Force Base, where Gripen fighters are already performing Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) missions.
The Brazilian Gripen program is based on a 2014 contract covering 36 aircraft—28 single-seat Gripen E and 8 two-seat Gripen F. Deliveries began in 2020, with ten aircraft handed over to date, while further deliveries continue in line with the country’s fleet modernization plans.
The Saab JAS 39 Gripen E is considered one of the most advanced multirole fighter jets in operation today, designed for air defense, reconnaissance, and strike missions, with a strong emphasis on network-centric operations and enhanced situational awareness in complex operational environments.
