First Gripen built outside Sweden rolls out

Brazil has rolled out its first domestically produced Gripen E, the first to be built outside Sweden, marking a notable step for the country’s aerospace sector.

The aircraft was unveiled at Embraer’s facility in Gavião Peixoto, São Paulo, on 25 March, in a ceremony attended by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva alongside representatives from Saab and Embraer.

The rollout reflects Brazil’s growing role in the production of advanced combat aircraft. Manufacturing is being carried out through cooperation between Saab, Embraer and the Brazilian Air Force, supported by a mix of local and international suppliers.

- The delivery of the first Gripen produced in Brazil is more than a completed aircraft. It reflects the strength of a partnership built on trust, long-term vision and close industrial cooperation, said Saab chief executive Micael Johansson. 

- We are proud of what has been achieved and intend to continue strengthening Brazil’s industrial and technological base.

The programme is also framed as a step forward in Brazil’s wider industrial development. 

- Establishing the capability to produce a high-technology supersonic fighter aircraft domestically marks a milestone for national defence and opens new commercial avenues, said Bosco da Costa Junior, chief executive of Embraer Defense & Security.

The Gripen E is a multirole combat aircraft equipped with advanced sensors and systems intended for operations in contested environments. Under a 2014 contract covering 36 aircraft, eleven have been delivered to date.