Brazil Rolls Out First Locally Built Gripen

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva pours champagne on the nose of the first Saab Gripen E fighter manufactured in Brazil in partnership with Embraer | Photo: Embraer/Gerson Akira Fujiki

Saab and Embraer, in partnership with the Brazilian Air Force, have unveiled the first Gripen E fighter aircraft produced in Brazil. The rollout took place on March 25 at Embraer’s industrial facility in Gavião Peixoto, São Paulo state.

The event was attended by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Defence Minister José Múcio Monteiro Filho, and Brazilian Air Force Commander Marcelo Kanitz Damasceno, along with company executives.

“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.

The aircraft was assembled at Embraer’s Gavião Peixoto facility using a Brazilian and international supply chain, including aerostructures produced at Saab’s site in São Bernardo do Campo. Additional aircraft under the current contract will follow the same production model.

Before delivery, the aircraft will undergo functional and flight testing. It will then join other Gripen units already in service with the First Defence Group at Anápolis Air Force Base.

Brazil’s 2014 contract covers 36 Gripen fighters, including 28 single-seat Gripen E and eight two-seat Gripen F variants. Deliveries began in 2020, and the aircraft are now used for air defence missions, including Quick Reaction Alert operations.