Brazil's First Domestically Assembled Gripen E Completes Maiden Flight
The first Gripen E fighter assembled in Brazil made its inaugural flight on October 7, 2026, marking a key milestone in the country's domestic fighter production program.
The first Gripen E fighter assembled in Brazil completed its maiden flight on October 7, 2026. The flight took place at Embraer’s industrial complex in Gavião Peixoto, São Paulo, which hosts the only Gripen production line outside Sweden.
A Saab test pilot was at the controls. Embraer played a key role in planning and executing the flight, which checked the aircraft’s main systems and validated its flight characteristics. The flight generated data for the remaining acceptance work. The aircraft had been officially unveiled at the same facility following final assembly on March 25, 2026.
Flight test objectives and execution
The maiden flight verified the performance of the aircraft’s main systems. According to Embraer, it validated the fighter's flight characteristics. The event was conducted by a Saab test pilot with Embraer’s involvement in the planning and execution.
Marcus Wandt, Head of Saab’s Business Area Aeronautics, said: "This maiden flight shows that Gripen production in Brazil has reached a new level of maturity."
Path to delivery and operational service
Once the flight-test and acceptance campaign is complete, the aircraft will be prepared for delivery to the Brazilian Air Force. It will subsequently be transferred to Anápolis Air Base in Goiás State. That base is home to the First Air Defense Group (1st GDA), which operates Brazil’s Gripen fleet. The Brazilian Air Force has registered this specific aircraft as FAB 4109 and designates the type as F-39E.
Context within the Gripen program in Brazil
This aircraft is the first of 15 Gripen E fighters planned for production in Brazil under the existing contract. The contract, signed with the Brazilian Government in 2014, covers 36 Gripen aircraft for the Brazilian Air Force. Deliveries began in 2020, and ten aircraft had been handed over by the time of the October 2026 announcement.
The contract comprises the following variants:
| Variant | Seats | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Gripen E | Single-seat | 28 |
| Gripen F | Two-seat | 8 |
Future cooperation and potential expansion
Embraer and Saab have signed a Heads of Agreement to explore production of 20 additional Gripen aircraft. The two countries’ defense ministers stated on June 4, 2026, that negotiations were under way on an amendment to the existing contract for these aircraft. The framework, signed at the Farnborough Airshow on July 21, 2026, contemplates potential production at Gavião Peixoto alongside Saab’s line in Linköping.
Saab has linked the planned expansion to growing global demand for the Gripen E/F. This follows new orders including 17 aircraft for Colombia and 16 for Ukraine. According to Embraer, negotiations toward new contracts remain ongoing. The Gavião Peixoto facility forms an integral part of Saab’s global manufacturing and supply network.
The aircraft will undergo acceptance testing before delivery to the Brazilian Air Force.
