Brazil received another Gripen E fighter from Saab

14 December, 2023 The first F-39E Gripen fighter received by the Brazilian Air Force. Photo credits: Forca Aerea Brasileira The Brazilian Air Force received another Gripen E fighter from the Swedish company Saab ahead of the new year.

This was announced on the company's official X (ex-Twitter) page. The transferred aircraft received the tail number "4107," which indicates that this is the seventh aircraft transferred to the Brazilian Air Force. In addition, Brazilian aircraft received a more familiar F-39E index.

In total, the country has ordered 40 fighters of this type, which should improve the country's capabilities of providing air defense in the region.

F-39E fighter in Brazil. Photo credits: Saab

In addition, Embraer and Saab agreed to localize the production of aircraft of this type in Brazil and create a Gripen regional service center. This will ensure the timely maintenance of aircraft, along with the modernization and integration of missile and bomb weapons developed in Brazil.

Currently, the country's air force is receiving Gripen aircraft with an integrated A-Darter missile and is conducting research on the integration of the MICLA-BR cruise missile with a maximum range of 300+ km. The F-39E fighter jets should replace the fleet of F-5M aircraft in the Air Force, which currently does not meet the current level. The F-39E's first flight took place in December 2022 and was led by Lieutenant Colonel Gustavo Pascotto, process commander of the 1st Air Defense Group.

Aircraft of this type are currently part of the Jaguar Squadron, the 1st Air Defense Group of the Brazilian Air Force. Militarnyi previously reported that the Swedish Ministry of Defense and Saab would accelerate the transfer of Gripen E fighter jets to the Swedish Air Force.

Within the new agreement signed between the management and Saab, the manufacturer will adjust plans for the transfer of new aircraft, and increase their functionality by integrating new weapons.

The signed 2013 contract to purchase Gripen E fighter jets changed several times.

In addition, the Swedish Air Force planned to completely update the existing fleet with new fighters.