Brazil unveiled its first Gripen E fighter jet fully assembled on home soil on March 25, 2026, at Embraer’s industrial complex in Gavião Peixoto, São Paulo state. This milestone, under the Saab-Embraer partnership, positions Brazil as the only Latin American nation producing supersonic combat aircraft domestically.
The rollout ceremony highlighted the first Gripen produced outside Sweden. Aerostructures originate from Saab’s São Bernardo do Campo plant, with final assembly at Embraer. Saab and Embraer plan the same model for 14 more aircraft under the current contract. Pre-service checks and flight testing precede integration into the Brazilian Air Force’s 1st Air Defense Group at Anápolis Air Base.
“This represents far more than the completion of an aircraft,” said Micael Johansson, Saab President and CEO. “It symbolises the strength of a partnership built on trust, long-term vision, and true cooperation.” Bosco da Costa Junior, Embraer executive, noted it reflects Brazil’s growing aerospace capabilities: “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.”
The 2014 FX-2 contract covers 36 aircraft: 28 single-seat Gripen E and eight twin-seat Gripen F. Deliveries started in 2020; 11 jets operate now, including Quick Reaction Alert missions from Anápolis since February 2026. Local production includes technology transfer, with Brazilian firms like AEL Sistemas supplying cockpit displays used globally. Full deliveries extend to 2032 due to revised schedules, with 15 units assembled in Brazil.