The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) took delivery of the 8th Saab Gripen E (F-39E) fighter on Thursday.
The aircraft with registration number 4108 landed at Anápolis Air Base where it will now be part of the 1st Air Defense Group.
The supersonic jet arrived in Brazil on September 23, coming by ship from Sweden. Immediately after being removed from the vessel, the Gripen was towed to Navegantes Airport, where it was prepared for flight.
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In a hangar, the aircraft received the ejection seat and survival kit, among other items. The flight between Navegantes and Anápolis took 1 hour and 21 minutes.
With the new delivery, the Brazilian Air Force still has 28 Gripen fighters pending delivery from Saab, eight of which are the two-seat F variant.
Of the 36 fighters, 15 will have their final assembly carried out in Brazil at Embraer’s facilities in Gavião Peixoto, the same location where the C-390 Millennium airlifter is manufactured.
The first Brazilian Gripen is expected to be delivered in 2025.
Brazil plans to increase the order for the Saab fighter, but the number of aircraft is unclear. Previously, there was talk of four more fighters or a contractual addendum to include 15 additional aircraft.
However, this year the FAB has given signs that it may seek another fighter on the market at a lower price. It could be used F-16s or new, simpler aircraft such as the Indian fighter HAL Tejas.
