Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva pours champagne Wednesday over his country’s first domestically manufactured supersonic fighter jet, the F-39E Gripenan, produced by Brazilian aerospace company Embraer in partnership with Sweden-based Saab, at the Embraer Airfield in Gaviao Peixoto, Brazil. Photo by Sebastiao Moreira/EPA
March 25 (UPI) — Brazil has become the first Latin American country to manufacture a supersonic fighter jet, unveiling the F-39E Gripen, assembled domestically as part of a broader effort to modernize its air force.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva attended the aircraft’s naming ceremony in São Paulo state Wednesday. The jet is produced by Brazilian aerospace company Embraer in partnership with Sweden-based Saab, according to Agência Brasil.
The F-39E Gripen is part of a modernization program that includes the transfer of Swedish technology and direct participation of Brazilian engineers in its development and production.
The aircraft is intended to replace aging, U.S.-made F-5 fighter jets that have been in service since the 1970s.
Defense Minister José Múcio said domestic production of the fighter jet provides access to advanced technologies and strengthens Brazil’s defense capabilities.
“By investing in defense, our industry reaches a milestone of maturity and competitiveness, allowing Brazil to position itself as the largest production hub in Latin America. It will also strengthen our deterrence capacity, expanding our ability to guarantee national sovereignty and regional security,” Múcio said.
The Brazilian government said local production of the aircraft places the country among “a select group of nations” capable of developing and manufacturing high-complexity combat aircraft, a first for Latin America.
Officials added that the program will strengthen Brazil’s air sovereignty, reduce dependence on foreign suppliers and boost the country’s defense industrial base through technology transfer and workforce training.
Embraer Chief Executive Officer Francisco Gomes Neto said the F-39E Gripen reflects the capabilities of Brazil’s aerospace industry and the strength of its partnership with Sweden.
“It has strong export potential and a direct impact on the economic and social development of our country,” Gomes said during the event, according to local outlet G1.
In 2013, Brazil selected Saab through an international bidding process to supply 36 fighter jets to the Brazilian Air Force. Competitors included Boeing, which offered the F/A-18 Super Hornet, and France’s Dassault Aviation with the Rafale, according to Revista Fórum.
A key factor in Saab’s selection was its offer of full technology transfer, including access to source code and active participation by Brazilian engineers in the aircraft’s development.
Unlike its competitors, Saab provided opportunities for Brazil not only to acquire aircraft, but also to gain the technical expertise needed to produce and develop them domestically.
According to the Brazilian Air Force, the project is expected to generate significant employment by integrating local industry into the global defense supply chain. The program has already created more than 2,000 direct jobs and about 10,000 indirect jobs.