Saab and Embraer are finalizing the delivery of 36 Gripen E/F aircraft by 2032. The FAB is modernizing its fleet with AESA radars and electronic warfare systems.
Summary
The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) is extending its acquisition schedule for Saab F-39 Gripen E/F fighters until 2032. Initially planned to be completed earlier, the delivery of the 36 aircraft has been adjusted due to industrial and logistical delays. This program, the result of a partnership between Saab and Embraer, marks a profound transformation of the Brazilian fighter fleet. The new Gripens will feature AESA radars, advanced electronic warfare systems, and enhanced multi-role capabilities. The contract, valued at approximately $4.5 billion (nearly €4.2 billion), also includes a technology transfer and local assembly component. For the FAB, these progressive deliveries guarantee a gradual ramp-up over time, while training pilots and technicians to the new standards. This extended schedule illustrates the industrial challenges but confirms Brazil’s ambition to move to advanced 4th generation fighter aviation.
An extended delivery schedule
The contract signed in 2014 provided for the delivery of 36 Gripen E/F aircraft between 2021 and 2027. Recent adjustments now extend this schedule to 2032. Several factors explain this delay: the complexity of technology transfer, a slower production rate, and budget adjustments related to Brazilian defense priorities. Currently, around ten aircraft have already been delivered and integrated into the FAB. The next aircraft will arrive gradually, ensuring a controlled ramp-up and allowing time for the complete integration of the new systems. This flexibility allows Brazilian industry, particularly Embraer, to effectively absorb the skills required for assembly and maintenance.
A technological leap for the FAB
The transition to the Gripen E/F represents a major leap forward for the FAB, whose fleet was previously based on modernized F-5Ms and a few Mirage 2000s that were retired in 2013. The Gripen offers superior performance with a maximum speed of Mach 2, a range of over 1,500 km, and in-flight refueling capability. The AESA Raven ES-05 radar provides simultaneous detection of multiple air and sea targets with a range exceeding 200 km. The electronic warfare system incorporates advanced jamming and warning sensors, enhancing survivability in contested environments. Finally, the multi-role capability allows the Gripen to perform both air superiority and precision strike missions, broadening the FAB’s operational spectrum.
An industrial partnership between Saab and Embraer
One of the pillars of the program is technology transfer. Embraer plays a central role in the local assembly and development of certain sub-structures of the aircraft. Several dozen Brazilian engineers and technicians were trained in Sweden before joining the assembly lines in Brazil. This cooperation aims to give Brazilian industry partial control over production and maintenance chains. It also guarantees relative autonomy in terms of future modernization. For Saab, this partnership consolidates its presence in Latin America and paves the way for potential regional exports of the Gripen.
Controlled costs for a modern fleet
The initial contract is estimated at $4.5 billion (€4.2 billion). On a Brazilian scale, this amount represents a significant investment, but one that is considered essential to modernize the fighter fleet. The Gripen stands out for its low cost per flight hour, estimated at around $5,000 to $7,000 (€4,700 to €6,600), which is nearly three times lower than that of a Rafale or F-35. This feature is decisive for an air force that must balance cutting-edge capabilities with budgetary constraints. Thanks to this cost-effectiveness ratio, the FAB can deploy a significant number of sorties without placing an excessive burden on its annual defense budget.
A strategic impact for South America
The introduction of the Gripen E/F positions Brazil as the most modern air force in South America. No other country in the region currently has a fighter equipped with AESA radar and latest-generation electronic warfare systems. This technological superiority increases Brazil’s influence in regional operations and cooperation missions. It also strengthens its ability to monitor a vast territory of more than 8.5 million km² and to protect its strategic resources, particularly in the Amazon and the pre-salt offshore area. This modernization also lends credibility to Brazil’s participation in multinational exercises, where interoperability with NATO forces or other strategic partners is sought.
The prospect of a second order
Beyond the 36 aircraft, the FAB is already considering an extension of the program. Discussions are underway for a second tranche that could reach between 24 and 36 additional aircraft by 2035. This scenario responds to the need to replace other aging platforms and unify the fleet around a single model. If it materializes, this order would further strengthen Embraer’s role in local production and perpetuate the industrial chain developed for the Gripen. It would also enable Brazil to secure a fleet of around 60 aircraft, a size considered consistent with its regional ambitions and international commitments.
A future built on interoperability
The Gripen E/F program in Brazil is not limited to the purchase of aircraft. It is a structuring project for Brazilian military doctrine. The FAB is equipping itself with modern tools capable of communicating with allied platforms via secure data links. In this way, it is strengthening its interoperability, an essential condition for integration into international coalitions. Gripen, with its balance of performance, cost and flexibility, illustrates a gradual but solid modernization. While delivery delays reflect current industrial difficulties, they do not call into question the underlying trajectory: to provide Brazil with a modern and credible fighter force capable of evolving in the face of future threats.
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