GAVIÃO PEIXOTO— The first Gripen E fighter assembled in Brazil by Embraer has completed its maiden flight, marking a major step in the country’s effort to establish an indigenous production capability for advanced supersonic combat aircraft.
The fighter took off from Embraer’s industrial complex in Gavião Peixoto, São Paulo, on October 6 at 10:21 local time, beginning its production acceptance flight campaign.
Saab and Embraer said the flight focused on verifying the fighter’s basic systems and assessing its initial flight performance.
The Saab test pilot conducted the sortie, while Embraer flight engineers handled flight planning and execution, with the data collected now supporting further testing before delivery to the Brazilian Air Force.
Gripen E completes first flight
Saab chief test pilot Jakob Högberg flew the first Brazilian-produced Gripen E during the milestone sortie.
The aircraft performed as expected, allowing engineers to gather information required for the next stages of production flight testing and acceptance.
The aircraft was officially unveiled by Saab, Embraer and the Brazilian Air Force on March 25, several months before its first flight.
It is the first of 15 Gripen E fighters scheduled to be produced at Embraer’s Gavião Peixoto facility under Brazil’s existing programme.
The production line, inaugurated in May 2023, is the only Gripen E final assembly line outside Sweden.
It forms part of Saab’s wider global production network while giving Brazil greater responsibility for manufacturing, integration and testing of the fighter.
Brazil expands fighter production
The Brazilian Gripen programme began with a 2014 contract covering 36 aircraft, including 28 single-seat Gripen E fighters and eight two-seat Gripen F aircraft.
The programme incorporates extensive technology transfer, with Brazilian personnel trained alongside Saab teams and involved in engineering, manufacturing, integration and testing.
Embraer’s facility receives Gripen structures produced in Brazil and Sweden before integrating them with systems, avionics, landing gear, engine and other equipment, Defence Industry Europe flagged.
The completed aircraft then undergo functional checks and production flight testing before acceptance by the Brazilian Air Force.
The first Brazilian-built Gripen E will eventually move to Anápolis Air Base in Goiás, where it will join the First Air Defense Group. The base is associated with Anápolis (APS), while the Embraer facility at Gavião Peixoto does not have an IATA airport code.
More Gripen orders possible
The maiden flight also comes as Saab and Embraer explore a potential expansion of Gripen production in Brazil.
In July, the companies announced a Heads of Agreement covering broader cooperation and negotiations for possible additional contracts.
The framework includes potential assembly of 20 more Gripen aircraft at Gavião Peixoto for Brazilian and international customers. Any additional aircraft remain subject to negotiations and new contracts.
For Brazil, the development strengthens the industrial foundation created through the Gripen programme.
For Saab and Embraer, the Brazilian production line could support future Gripen opportunities while complementing final assembly operations in Linköping, Sweden.
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