Brazil and Sweden started the Gripen E delivery phase
A senior-level meeting with Brazilian and Swedish authorities took place on Wednesday 24 in Saab’s facilities to unveil the first six mass-produced Gripen E aircraft, which have left the factory to begin the delivery phase.
It was attended by General Carlos de Almeida Baptista Junior, commander of the Brazilian Air Force; Major General Carl-Johan Edström, Commander of the Air Force; Micael Johansson, President and CEO of Saab; and Jonas Hjelm, Senior Vice President and Head of Saab’s Aeronautics business area.
“These deliveries are an important part of strengthening our capabilities and Sweden’s defense. JAS 39 E The Gripen will increase Sweden’s defense capability, which gives us the opportunity to build a stronger and tactically superior air force for each situation, says Major General Carl-Johan Edström, commander of the Swedish Air Force.
“It is a pleasure to follow the implementation of another step in the delivery process of the F-39 Gripen aircraft, which will lead the development of the combat capabilities of the Brazilian Air Force. This project represents a new technical level for Brazil and is of fundamental importance for the development of our defense industry base, “said General Carlos de Almeida Baptista Junior, commander of the Brazilian Air Force.
Saab’s President and CEO, Micael Johansson, said that «the start of the series delivery phase with these four aircraft for the Brazilian Air Force and two for the Swedish Air Force is an extremely important achievement for the Gripen program. It shows that we have a mature product and that we are fulfilling our contractual obligations ”.
The aircraft of the Brazilian Air Force (FAB4101, FAB4102, FAB4103 and FAB4104) will arrive by Brazil by sea at the port of Navegantes in mid-December, where they will be towed to the airport to fly to Gavião Peixoto, in the interior of the state of So Paul. , reported by our partner media in Brazil, Aeroin. After the induction phase, the four aircraft will be based in Anápolis, in the state of Goiás, home to FAB’s 1st Air Defense Group. In total, Brazil has ordered 36 Gripen fighter jets to be delivered by 2024.
Part of the reasons that led Brazil to choose the Swedish model over other manufacturers was the technology transfer and industrial cooperation for the development and manufacture of the aircraft. Approximately 350 Brazilians (including engineers and technicians) work actively in the technology transfer program, which includes education in Sweden. In 2016, the Gripen Project and Development Center was inaugurated in São Paulo, where professionals from both countries work in a common way.