Saab, Embraer Unveil First Brazilian-Produced Gripen E
SAAB, Embraer and the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) officially presented the first Saab Gripen E fighter produced in Brazil during a ceremony held at Embraer’s industrial complex in Gaviao Peixoto, Sao Paulo.
Embraer’s industrial site in Gaviao Peixoto produces Gripen Es using a Brazilian and international supply chain, including aerostructures manufactured at Saab’s facility in Sao Bernardo do Campo. Another 14 aircraft under the current contract with the FAB will follow this same production model. Before final delivery to the customer, the aircraft will undergo functional testing and production flight tests.
The 2014 contract with the Brazilian government includes the development and production of 36 Gripen fighters—28 single‑seat Gripen Es and 8 two‑seat Gripen Fs. Deliveries began in 2020, with 11 aircraft being handed over to date. Since February, the fighter has been operating in Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) missions from Anapolis Air Force Base, safeguarding the airspace over the federal government district.
Gripen E is designed for multi-mission roles such as air defence, reconnaissance and strike, integrating 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 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 Saab president and CEO Micael Johansson said.
Embraer Defense & Security president and CEO Bosco da Costa Junior added, “We take great pride in supporting the FAB 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 defence 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.”–-shp/adj/dl (Pix:EMBRAER)