Aviation News – The first Gripen fighter built outside Sweden has successfully taken to the skies, completing its historic maiden flight from Embraer’s Gavião Peixoto aerodrome in São Paulo State. Flown by Saab chief test pilot Jakob Högberg, the test flight marks a major technological leap for Brazil’s defense industrial base.
The historic sortie took place on 6 October at 10:21 local time, initiating the final phase of the manufacturing process at Embraer’s production facilities. This milestone builds on a multi-year technology transfer agreement between Swedish defense firm Saab and Brazilian aerospace leader Embraer, expanding supersonic aircraft manufacturing into South America.
Flight planning and execution were managed by Embraer flight engineers with close operational support from Saab. The successful flight verifies that local manufacturing processes meet strict global aerospace engineering standards under the joint defense program.
During the initial sortie, the test pilot executed a series of maneuvers to evaluate basic system functions and verify initial flight performance. Serving as the fighter’s official production acceptance test, the trial verified aircraft stability, avionics response, and primary flight controls.
“This maiden flight shows that Gripen production in Brazil has reached a new level of maturity. I am proud of our close cooperation with Embraer in the Gripen programme, which establishes a solid foundation for Gripen’s future development in Brazil,” stated Marcus Wandt, head of Saab’s business area Aeronautics.
This technical achievement opens new possibilities for South American aerospace production and defense exports. The establishment of local assembly lines positions Embraer and Saab to supply future regional demand for advanced multi-role fighter jets.
The maiden flight confirms the success of a long-term defense strategy combining the vision of the Brazilian Air Force, Saab’s technological expertise, and Embraer’s industrial capabilities. As flight testing progresses, this local manufacturing capability secures Brazil’s strategic autonomy in defense production. The program paves the way for continued aerospace innovation and high-tech industrial growth across the nation.
