AviationNews – The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) has successfully deployed six F-39E Gripen fighter jets to participate in the multinational Exercise SALITRE 2026 in Chile. This deployment marks a historic milestone for the state-of-the-art aircraft, as it is the first time Brazil’s advanced Gripen fleet has engaged in a joint military operation outside its national borders.
The prominent air combat drill, hosted by the Chilean Air Force (FACh) at the Cerro Moreno Air Base in Antofagasta between late June and mid-July 2026, gathered over 1,500 military personnel and 60 aircraft from allied nations including the United States, Argentina, Colombia, and Paraguay. Saab, the Swedish manufacturer of the Gripen E, views this overseas deployment as a major evolutionary step for the Brazilian defense program following the aircraft achieving Full Operational Capability (FOC) in late 2025. Preparation for this significant event involved rigorous training scenarios in Anápolis, Brazil, utilizing highly advanced flight simulators to replicate the demanding Atacama Desert environment.
Throughout the multidomain exercise, the F-39E Gripen demonstrated exceptional combat readiness by executing escort, combat air patrol, and air defense missions within a unified coalition command. The aircraft’s advanced capabilities were put to the test, particularly its active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, passive infrared search and track (IRST) systems, and robust electronic warfare suite. By flawlessly operating in both within visual range (WVR) and beyond visual range (BVR) scenarios, the fighter proved its tactical superiority and seamless interoperability alongside seasoned platforms like the F-16 and Super Tucano.
“The participation of the F-39E Gripen in SALITRE 2026 represents another step in the evolution of the Gripen Programme in Brazil and reflects the steady progress of the aircraft’s implementation in the Brazilian Air Force,” stated a representative from Saab. “By operating for the first time in a multinational exercise outside the country, Gripen reinforces interoperability among friendly air forces and contributes to defence cooperation in the region.”
This successful international debut cements the Gripen as the cornerstone of South America’s modern combat aviation landscape, proving that local production and technology transfer can yield world-class operational assets. Moving forward, the Brazilian Air Force is expected to integrate these advanced fighters into more complex hemispheric defense strategies, elevating the continent’s collective security framework. Allied nations must now look toward deeper technological integration to maintain regional stability and effectively counter multi-domain threats.
In summary, the flawless performance of Brazil’s F-39E Gripen fleet at SALITRE 2026 underscores the aircraft’s maturity and tactical dominance. By completing hundreds of flight hours alongside global allies, the Brazilian Air Force has proven its modern capabilities on an international stage. This achievement sets a solid foundation for future multinational cooperation and continuous aerospace defense modernization across Latin America.
