Embraer, Saab, and the Brazilian Air Force presented the first Gripen E supersonic fighter jet produced in Brazil on March 25, 2026, at Embraer’s Gavião Peixoto facility in São Paulo State. Registered as unit 4109, this single-seat F-39E marks the first supersonic aircraft manufactured in Latin America and the initial local production under a 2014 contract for 36 Gripen fighters—28 single-seat Gripen E and eight two-seat Gripen F.
The ceremony drew Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Swedish Ambassador Karin Wallensten, Saab CEO Micael Johansson, Embraer CEO Francisco Gomes Neto, and Embraer Defense & Security CEO Bosco da Costa Junior. Johansson stated, “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.” Bosco da Costa Junior added that the project develops Brazil’s capability to produce high-tech supersonic fighters for air superiority missions.
Production integrates a Brazilian and international supply chain, with aerostructures from Saab’s São Bernardo do Campo site and final assembly at Gavião Peixoto. Of the 15 planned local builds, 14 more will follow this model. The aircraft, n4109, awaits functional checks and production flight tests before joining 10 or 11 units already at Anápolis Air Force Base’s First Defense Group (1st GDA), operational since February in Quick Reaction Alert missions over the federal district.
Gripen E supports air defense, reconnaissance, and strike roles with advanced avionics, sensors, and network-centric systems.