The rollout marks a significant achievement and places the country among a select group of nations capable of producing advanced fighter aircraft.
On 25 March, Saab, Embraer and the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) officially presented the first supersonic fighter aircraft produced in Brazil during a ceremony held at Embraer’s industrial complex in Gavião Peixoto, São Paulo State.
Among the Brazilian authorities present at the event were the President of the Republic, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the Ambassador of Sweden to Brazil, Karin Wallensten, the Minister of Defence, José Múcio Monteiro Filho and the Commander of the Brazilian Air Force, Lieutenant Brigadier Marcelo Kanitz Damasceno, as well as executives from the companies involved in the programme, including Micael Johansson, President and CEO of Saab, Francisco Gomes Neto, President and CEO of Embraer, and Bosco da Costa Junior, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security.
“The delivery of the first Gripen produced in Brazil represents far more than the completion of an aircraft; it symbolises the strength of a partnership built on trust, long‑term vision, and true cooperation. We are extremely proud of what we have achieved side by side with our Brazilian partners. 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,” said Micael Johansson, President and CEO of Saab.
“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. The unveiling of the first Gripen produced in Brazil represents yet another significant milestone in the strategic collaboration between Brazil and Sweden. We are confident that this partnership generates value for both countries and holds great potential to open up new business opportunities,” said Bosco da Costa Junior, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security.
Embraer’s industrial site in Gavião Peixoto produces Gripen E fighter jets using a Brazilian and international supply chain, including aerostructures manufactured at Saab’s facility in São Bernardo do Campo. Another 14 aircraft under the current contract with the Brazilian Air Force will follow this same production model.
Before final delivery to the customer, the aircraft will undergo functional testing and production flight tests. After this stage, the fighter will join the other ten units already delivered to the First Defense Group (1st GDA) at the Anápolis Air Force Base.
Gripen E is the world’s most modern fighter aircraft, designed for multi-mission roles such as air defence, reconnaissance and strike. Gripen E integrates modern avionics, sensors, weapons and mission systems to improve performance in complex environments. Its network-centric architecture and sensor-fusion capabilities enable information sharing across a tactical formation, supporting coordinated decision making and enhancing situational awareness and threat response.
The 2014 contract with the Brazilian government includes the development and production of 36 Gripen fighters — 28 single‑seat Gripen E and 8 two‑seat Gripen F. Deliveries began in 2020, and 11 aircraft have been handed over to date. Since February, the fighter has been operating in Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) missions from Anápolis Air Force Base, safeguarding the airspace over the federal government district.
Saab is a leading defence and security company with an enduring purpose, to help nations keep their people and society safe. Empowered by its 28,000 talented people, Saab constantly pushes the boundaries of technology to create a safer and more sustainable world. Saab designs, manufactures and maintains advanced systems in aeronautics, weapons, command and control, sensors and underwater systems. Saab is headquartered in Sweden. It has major operations all over the world and is part of the domestic defence capability of several nations.
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