Rio de Janeiro, December 1 - Saab's latest milestone in the Gripen E program underscores the deepening partnership between Sweden and Brazil, as the aerospace giant delivered the eleventh F-39E Gripen fighter to the Brazilian Air Force. On November 19, 2025, aircraft serial number 4111 touched down at Anápolis Air Base after a precise one-hour-and-three-minute ferry flight from Navegantes, piloted by Major Thiago Camargo. This single-seat multirole jet, emblematic of advanced fighter aircraft technology, bolsters Brazil's aerial defense capabilities amid evolving regional security demands. The delivery not only advances the FX-2 Project but also highlights Saab's commitment to technology transfer, empowering Brazilian industry to contribute key aero-structures produced locally before final assembly.
Crafted at Saab's Linköping facility in Sweden with Brazilian-manufactured components, the Gripen 4111 exemplifies the binational Gripen E collaboration that began in 2013 when Brazil selected the platform to modernize its aging fleet. The seamless logistics, coordinating over 30 areas across 10 institutions from both nations, ensured safe sea transport and the inaugural Brazilian skies flight, reflecting meticulous planning in this high-stakes defense acquisition. Major-Brigadier Mauro Bellintani, president of the Projects Commission of the Brazilian Air Force (COPAC), hailed the arrival as a "significant advancement for the country," emphasizing its role in enhancing sovereignty over vast Brazilian airspace. This eleventh jet joins nine operational F-39Es in the 1st Air Defense Group's "Jaguar" Squadron, with one dedicated to research and certification.
Recent breakthroughs amplify the Gripen E's strategic value for the Brazilian Air Force. Just weeks prior, certification of air-to-air refueling with Embraer's KC-390 Millennium tanker extended the fighter's endurance, enabling prolonged missions over Brazil's expansive territory. Coupled with the inaugural guided launch of the MBDA Meteor beyond-visual-range missile, marking a South American first, these integrations propel the platform toward full operational capability by 2027. The Gripen E's superior avionics, enhanced electronic warfare suite, and increased payload capacity position it as a versatile asset for air superiority, ground attack, and reconnaissance, outpacing legacy systems like the F-5M.
As the binational program progresses toward delivering the remaining 25 Gripens from the 36-unit contract, negotiations for 12 to 15 additional airframes signal Brazil's long-term vision for a robust Gripen fleet. Inaugurated in 2023, Embraer's Gavião Peixoto assembly line, now producing 15 units locally, fosters industrial growth through partnerships with AEL Sistemas, Akaer, and Atech. This initiative not only secures technological independence but also positions Brazil as a regional leader in advanced aerospace manufacturing, ensuring the Gripen E remains pivotal in safeguarding national interests for decades ahead.