On Wednesday, Saab carried out the symbolic delivery of six Gripen E series production fighters to the air forces of Brazil and Sweden, four of which to the South American country.
The modernized fighter jet variant has 96 firm orders, 60 from Sweden and 36 from Brazil. Saab also held a meeting with authorities from both nations, General Carlos de Almeida Baptista Junior, Commander of the Brazilian Air Force, and Major General Carl-Johan Edström, Commander of the Swedish Air Force.
Along with Micael Johansson, President and CEO of Saab and Jonas Hjelm, Senior Vice President and head of Saab business area Aeronautics, they discussed possible joint activities in the Gripen program.
“These deliveries form an important part of strengthening our capabilities and defending Sweden. JAS 39 E Gripen will increase Sweden’s defense capability, allowing us to build a stronger and tactically superior Air Force for every situation,” said Major General Carl-Johan Edström, Commander of the Swedish Air Force.
“It is a pleasure to follow the fulfillment of yet another step in the delivery process of the F-39 Gripen aircraft, which will lead the evolution of the Brazilian Air Force’s combat capability. This project represents a new technological level for Brazil and it is of fundamental importance in the development of our Industrial Defense Base,” said General Carlos de Almeida Baptista Junior, Commander of the Brazilian Air Force.
“The start of the serial 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 programme. It shows that we have a mature product and that we fulfill our contractual obligations,” said Micael Johansson, President and CEO of Saab. “This has all been possible thanks to our smart ways of working, innovative production technologies and close cooperation with the customers,” he added.
Guests visited the Swedish manufacturer’s facilities, where several series production and test aircraft were presented, as well as being given the opportunity to test Gripen’s new mission training simulator.
The ceremony concluded with a formation flight with Brazilian and Swedish aircraft.
