Aviation
Military /
Brazil
new fleet
The time to receive the new FAB Gripen fighters is approaching; 4 first units are received in Sweden
F-39 Gripen
Image: FAB
Rafael Ramos
11/24/2021
Today, November 24, the Air Force Commander, Lieutenant Brigadier of the Air Carlos de Almeida Baptista Junior is in Sweden, in Linköping, to receive the first 4 F-39 Gripen built in series. After the receiving ceremony, two units will be shipped to Brazil by sea this year. The other two will be received in Brazil in the first half of 2022.
“It is a privilege, as a Fighter Pilot and Air Force Commander, to represent all the military and civilians who have worked so hard to make this dream come true,” he said.
During the reception ceremony, in addition to Air Brigadier Carlos de Almeida Baptista Junior, the Commander of the Brazilian Air Force, Major General Carl-Johan Edström, Commander of the Swedish Air Force, Micael Johansson, President and CEO of the Saab; and Jonas Hjelm, Senior Vice President and head of the company's Aeronautics business area. 4 Swedish Air Force F-39 Gripen units flew over the area.
F-39 Gripen
Image: FAB
The first F-39 Gripen fighter received by Brazil was in September 2020, from a total batch of 36 units. The first copy is undergoing tests to obtain the final certification, in Gavião Peixoto (SP). Since then, several technicians and engineers have been in Sweden to receive training and learn more about the fighter, which should transfer technology to Brazil.
By 2025, around 350 Brazilian engineers and technicians will have received 600,000 hours of training. The forecast is that 13 fighters will be manufactured exclusively in Sweden, eight will be built in Sweden and completed in Brazil and 15 will be assembled in Brazil, within the Embraer plant.
F-39 Gripen
Image: FAB
It is worth remembering that, in April 2020, Saab bought 100% of Atmos Sistemas, the Brazilian company that maintains the plane's radars. At the time, military analysts saw a warning. “The acquisition of Atmos by Saab is especially problematic in terms of technological appropriability and the objectives of training programs fostered by public investments”, reads an article signed by professors from ITA (Instituto Tecnológico da Aeronáutia).
In turn, Saab said that the acquisition of the company facilitates the maintenance and repair of radars in Brazil, but did not say when the technology will be transferred to the country.
Anyway, the FAB, which always had a fleet of fighters rather old and obsolete, like the Gloster Meteor, F-80, T-37 and the Mirage 2000 (the latter being the best fighter the FAB has ever had he had). So having the new Swedish fighter jets fly is important for the country's sovereignty.
F-39 Gripen
Image: FAB
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Rafael Ramos
Aviation enthusiast from an early age, he had his first contacts with the area developing that good old habit of spending dozens of hours in front of the screens of Micrsoft Flight Simulator and other simulators. With a solid background in various technological areas, including engineering and chemistry, Rafael has rejoined aviation as editor and author of articles and materials on our portal, providing invaluable help to the dynamics and expansion of the website and the aeronautical community, bringing us the news and updates so indispensable for us to remain current in our area of operation.
   
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