Embraer and Saab announced at Farnborough a framework agreement for 20 additional Gripen.

Embraer and Saab announced a framework agreement for the potential production of an additional 20 JAS-39 Gripen fighters at Embraer’s facilities in São Paulo at the Farnborough International Airshow.

In Brief

Parties: Swedish Saab and Brazilian Embraer.
Scope: framework for the construction of 20 additional Gripen in Brazil.
Site: Embraer factory in Gavião Peixoto (São Paulo).
Context: expansion of the Gripen E/F program of the Brazilian Air Force (FAB).
Significance: deepening local assembly and technology transfer in Latin America.

Announcement Details

The framework agreement paves the way for an additional batch of 20 aircraft beyond the current Brazilian procurement, produced locally. Embraer conducts final assembly and testing of the Gripen in Gavião Peixoto, and the deal aims to keep this industrial base busy for a longer period.

The partnership between Saab and Embraer dates back to the F-X2 program launched by Brazil in 2014: it involves the acquisition of the single-seat Gripen E and the two-seat Gripen F (designated F-39 in Brazil), with technology transfer and local production at its core.

System Context

The JAS-39 Gripen E/F is a 4.5 generation fighter with an AESA radar, advanced electronic warfare system, and the capability to carry the long-range Meteor missile. Its low operating costs and ability to operate from short runways make it attractive for medium-sized air forces.

Production in Brazil also creates a foundation for potential Gripen exports in Latin America, where interest has increased following Colombia’s selection.

Why This Matters

The export model Gripen, based on local production, offers a competitive template in the fighter jet market, which Turkey aims for with HURJET and KAAN. As technology transfer and local assembly increasingly determine export tenders, the Saab-Embraer approach is a well-established example.