Brazil officially unveiled its first domestically produced Gripen E combat aircraft during a ceremony at Embraer’s Gavião Peixoto facility in the country’s São Paulo state.
In-country manufacturing was carried out at Embraer’s Gavião Peixoto facility — inaugurated in 2023 and marked as the first Gripen E production line outside of Sweden — and at Saab’s São Bernardo do Campo facility.
The first Brazil-made Gripen E is set to undergo functional testing and production flight tests before delivery to the Brazilian Air Force. Meanwhile, 14 more aircraft will follow the same domestic production model.
“We take great pride in supporting the Brazilian Air Force in this project and in developing, within Brazil, the capability to produce a high-tech supersonic fighter aircraft – fully capable of executing air superiority missions and contributing to the defense of our territorial sovereignty,” said Embraer’s President and CEO Bosco da Costa Junior.
He added that the event represents a milestone in the strategic collaboration between Brazil and Sweden, and presents great potential to open up new business opportunities.
Meanwhile, Saab President and CEO Micael Johansson noted, “Saab remains fully committed to expanding, and deepening our presence in Brazil, strengthening the country industrially and technologically, and as an export hub to the world.”
2014 Contract
This development falls under a 2014 contract, in which Brasília ordered 36 Gripen fighters from Saab, comprising 28 single-seat Gripen Es and eight two-seater Gripen Fs.
The deal also includes significant technology transfer to the South American country for over 10 years, resulting in the local assembly of 15 aircraft, while the remainder are manufactured in Sweden.
Since deliveries began in 2020, 10 Gripen Es that were made in Sweden have been delivered to the Brazilian Air Force.
The initial fleet, designated the F-39E in Brazil, has been operating on Quick Reaction Alert missions from the Anápolis Air Force Base.
