Maiden Flight Achieved by First Brazilian-Produced Gripen E Fighter Jet

The inaugural Gripen E fighter aircraft assembled at Embraer’s facilities in Brazil has successfully completed its maiden flight, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s defense industrial development. Embraer confirmed the successful flight, stating the aircraft took off from its Gavião Peixoto site in São Paulo state. The primary objectives of this initial flight included validating the performance of core systems and verifying overall flight characteristics.

This crucial test flight underscored the advanced maturity of capabilities developed under the Gripen Program and highlighted the robust collaborative framework between Embraer, the Brazilian Air Force (FAB), and Saab. Piloted by a Saab test pilot, the flight confirmed the expected performance parameters of the aircraft and yielded vital data to inform the subsequent production and acceptance flight tests, which are prerequisites for formal delivery to the FAB.

Bosco da Costa Junior, CEO of Embraer Defense & Security, emphasized the historic significance of the event. “The maiden flight of the first Gripen E produced by Embraer in Brazil represents a pivotal moment for our nation’s aviation and defense sectors,” he stated. “This achievement is a testament to the success of a long-term strategic vision, merging the Brazilian Air Force’s foresight, Saab’s unparalleled expertise, and Embraer’s advanced engineering and manufacturing prowess. It is not merely a program milestone; it cultivates an enduring legacy of knowledge transfer, innovation, and industrial capacity, bolstering our Defense Industrial Base. This will contribute profoundly to national sovereignty and elevate Brazil’s competitiveness in high-technology global programs for decades to come.”

The fighter aircraft, officially unveiled by Embraer on March 25th following its final assembly, is the first of 15 Gripen E units earmarked for local production within Brazil under the current program. The Gavião Peixoto facility holds strategic importance as Saab’s sole Gripen production line situated outside of Sweden, serving as a critical node in Saab’s global manufacturing and supply chain network.

Upon successful completion of the production and acceptance flight test campaign, the aircraft will receive its airworthiness certification, paving the way for its official handover to the Brazilian Air Force. Subsequently, it will be transferred to the Anápolis Air Base in Goiás state, where it will join the 1st Air Defense Group (1º GDA), an operational unit already deploying Gripen E fighters.

The comprehensive initial contract between the Brazilian government and Saab encompasses the development and production of 36 combat aircraft, comprising 28 single-seat Gripen E variants and 8 twin-seat Gripen F variants. Deliveries commenced in 2020, with 11 aircraft already integrated into the Brazilian Air Force fleet.