Embraer, Saab and the Brazilian Air Force have officially handed over the first Gripen E Fighter produced in Brazil at a ceremony at Embraer’s industrial complex in Gavião Peixoto, São Paulo State. The milestone marks a significant achievement and places the country among a select group of nations capable of producing a supersonic fighter jet.
Bosco da Costa Junior, president and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security, said: “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.”
Micael Johansson, president and CEO of Saab, said: “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.”
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.
Network-centric architectureGripen 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 missions’ 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 10 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.
Embraer is a global aerospace company headquartered in Brazil, with businesses in A global aerospace company headquartered in Brazil, Embraer has businesses in Commercial and Executive aviation, Defense & Security, and Agricultural Aviation. The company designs, develops, manufactures, and markets aircraft and systems, providing Services and Support to customers after-sales.
Since it was founded in 1969, Embraer has delivered more than 9,000 aircraft. On average, about every 10sec an aircraft manufactured by Embraer takes off somewhere in the world, transporting over 150 million passengers a year.
Embraer is the leading manufacturer of commercial jets with up to 150 seats and the main exporter of high- value-added goods in Brazil. The company maintains industrial units, offices, service, and parts distribution centers, among other activities, across the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe.