Brazil announces intention to buy 20 more Gripen fighters

The announcement was made in Stockholm, during a joint press conference with Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson. According to the Swedish minister, Brazil expressed its willingness to expand the original order, placed in 2014, for 36 Gripen E/F aircraft acquired from the manufacturer Saab.

“In its declaration of intent, Brazil declares its willingness to go beyond the 36 devices already delivered and to consider the acquisition of 20 additional Gripens. They will, of course, be manufactured in Brazil”, stated Jonson.

José Múcio stated that the interest in a second batch reflects the results of cooperation between the two countries. “These additional aircraft demonstrate the success of our partnership”, declared the Brazilian minister.

In addition to the possible expansion of the fleet, Brazil and Sweden signed a memorandum of understanding to deepen bilateral defense cooperation. Among the planned initiatives is the creation of a research and development center in Brazil focused on the operation, maintenance and modernization of Gripen fighters.

The announcement comes amid budget constraints faced by the Ministry of Defense. This year, the department was included among the areas affected by expense containment measures adopted by the federal government, blocking R$4.36 billion.

Still, the Gripen program has been treated as one of the strategic projects of the Armed Forces and the Defense Industrial Base, with R$1.36 billion budgeted for 2026.

New Gripen was presented this week

Múcio’s visit to Sweden coincided with the official presentation of the first Gripen F, a two-seat version of the aircraft developed specifically to meet the needs of the FAB. The model was displayed by Saab at a ceremony held in the city of Linköping, on Tuesday (2).

The two-seater Gripen F is the result of a joint development program between Brazil and Sweden and should be used both in operational missions and in advanced pilot training.

Original contract provided for 36 aircraft

The Gripen program began in 2014, when Brazil signed a contract for the acquisition of 36 Gripen E/F fighters from Saab, following an international competition, started the previous year, which involved proposals from the French Dassault and the American Boeing.

The agreement included a broad technology transfer program and the participation of the national industry in the production of the aircraft. In 2023, Saab and Embraer opened an assembly line in Gavião Peixoto (SP), allowing part of the fighters to be produced in Brazilian territory.

In March this year, the first Gripen assembled in Brazil was presented. In total, 15 aircraft from the original contract must be produced at Embraer’s facilities.

As shown by People’s Gazettedespite the program’s advances, the currently contracted fleet is still insufficient to fully replace the previous generation fighters operated by the FAB. The eventual acquisition of a second batch would bring the total number of Gripens to 56 aircraft.

To date, the Brazilian government has not disclosed the schedule, values ​​or financing model for the purchase of the 20 additional aircraft. The expression of interest announced this Thursday represents a preliminary stage of negotiations between Brazil, Sweden and Saab.