AviationNews – Embraer, Saab, and the Brazilian Air Force have officially presented the first supersonic Gripen E fighter jet manufactured entirely on Brazilian soil. This landmark achievement, celebrated at the Gavião Peixoto industrial complex, establishes Brazil as one of the few nations capable of producing advanced, high-tech combat aircraft.
This historic rollout stems from a strategic 2014 contract between the Brazilian government and Sweden’s Saab for the development and production of 36 Gripen fighters. The ceremony on March 25, 2026, attended by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and top defense officials, marks a critical shift from receiving Swedish-built units to active domestic assembly. To date, ten aircraft have already entered service, but this specific unit represents the first of 15 jets to be completed through the local Embraer production line in São Paulo State, leveraging a specialized international supply chain.
The Gripen E functions as a multi-role platform, specifically engineered to handle air defense, reconnaissance, and precision strike missions in highly contested environments. Its technical edge lies in a network-centric architecture and advanced sensor-fusion capabilities, which allow pilots to share real-time tactical data across a formation. This integration enhances situational awareness and enables coordinated decision-making, while the aircraft’s modern avionics and weapon systems ensure it remains effective against sophisticated modern threats.
“The unveiling of the first Gripen produced in Brazil represents yet another significant milestone in the strategic collaboration between Brazil and Sweden,” stated Bosco da Costa Junior, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security. He emphasized that this partnership generates immense value for both nations and holds the potential to open new international business opportunities.
Moving forward, this aircraft will undergo rigorous functional and flight testing before joining the First Defense Group at Anápolis Air Force Base. The successful localization of production transforms Brazil into a regional export hub, strengthening the country’s industrial and technological sovereignty. As more units roll off the assembly line, the Brazilian Air Force will continue to bolster its Quick Reaction Alert capabilities, ensuring long-term security over the nation’s federal district and territorial borders.
The debut of the Brazilian-made Gripen E confirms the country’s growing maturity in the global aerospace industry. By mastering the production of supersonic technology, Brazil secures its defense future while fostering high-skilled labor and industrial growth. This program serves as a blueprint for international defense cooperation and high-tier manufacturing.
