Brazil modernizes air defense system with new Gripen fighter jets

The F-39 Gripen fighter jet will start operating in Brazil on Monday (Dec. 19) and will be the most modern warplane in Latin America. On the same day, an inauguration ceremony for the aircraft will be held at the 1st GDA (Air Defense Group) in Anápolis (GO).

“The receipt of the first F-39 Gripen aircraft symbolizes a milestone for the Brazilian Air Force. It is the materialization of a long-term project, which now translates into operational capabilities that the country never had,” said Lieutenant Brigadier Carlos de Almeida Baptista Junior, commander of the FAB (Brazilian Air Force), in an interview with journalists.

The new equipment will be used to intercept possible intrusive aircraft in Brasilia’s airspace. Today, this activity is done by American F-5s acquired in the 1970s.

“The Gripen will replace airplanes that have already been deactivated or are entering their 5th decade of operation by the Air Force, with their respective deactivation processes planned or underway,” said the FAB commander.

Manufactured by the Swedish company Saab, Gripen is a single-engine small aircraft known for its high efficiency, low operating costs, and advanced technological capabilities.

With a length of 15.2 meters and width of 8.5 meters, the aircraft has 10 points for armament loading and a total capacity of 5.3 tons.

Its fueling and ammunition reloading are done on the ground in just 10 minutes.

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GRIPEN PROGRAM

The contract between Saab and FAB was closed in 2014 after long negotiations with the government of Dilma Rousseff (PT).

The goal is to produce 36 Gripen E/F (4th generation) aircraft for the Brazilian Air Force, including systems, support, and equipment.

The project had a total cost of 39.3 billion Swedish crowns, equivalent to a little more than US$3.8 billion at this Sunday’s (Dec. 18) exchange rate, financed over 25 years.

In addition to the equipment, the purchase includes a technology transfer program expected to be completed in 10 years.

Each Gripen unit is produced in 2 years. They are developed and manufactured in collaboration with Brazilian engineers. For this, more than 350 professionals were trained.

The commander, who will leave his post in January, defended the inclusion of the purchase of 4 more fighter planes in the current contract, besides a new round of negotiations to acquire another 26 planes.

Batista affirms that, with the 36 Gripens of the initial contract, Brazil would have only 3 aircraft for every million square kilometers, including the territorial sea.

The area is considered too extensive.

Although signed during Dilma’s government, the project is supported by President Jair Bolsonaro (PL), who attended the aircraft presentation during his administration.

Regarding the continuation of the commercial agreement with the change of federal management to the hands of the president-elect, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT), Saab’s head of marketing and aeronautical sales, Mikael Franzén, said he sees no obstacle.

“Fighter jet purchases are state business, not government business. FAB is the client,” he said.