Brazil receives F-39 Gripen fighter jets from Sweden

Americas, News November 25, 2021 , by IRIA No Comments

Brazilian Air Force (FAB) welcomed the first four Swedish Made Saab F-39 Gripen Fighter Aircraft.

The fighter jets were accepted by the Brazilian Air Force Commander Lieutenant Brigadier Carlos de Almeida Baptista Junior at the Saab Aeronautics plant in Linköping, Sweden, on 24 November. The jets would be commissioned to the FAB’s Jaguar Squadron.

Saab F-39 Gripen is a single-engine multi-role fighter jet manufactured by Swedish Aerospace company, Saab AB. Although Saab had been working on its Gripen Jets since 1987, it was in 2001 that the Gripen series found substantial success among international buyers. The jets have a successful operational history in many countries including Sweden, the United Kingdom, Thailand, the Czech Republic, and South Africa.

The jet is powered by a Volvo RM12 Turbofan engine, manufactured by the GKN Aerospace Engine Systems. By 2010 the Gripen series accumulated 143,000 hours of flight without any engine-related issue which settled a record for any engine of such kind.

The Brazilian Air Force procured a package of 36 Gripen NG aircraft. That includes 28 Single-Seat F-39Es and Eight Dual Seat F-39Fs. The package also included two flight simulators for training purposes for a total cost of $4.5 billion. The deal is expected to be matured in 2026 when the last two fighter jets shall be delivered.