F-39 Gripen fighters enter service in the Brazilian Air Force

The first F-39 Gripen fighters have entered service in the Brazilian Air Force, specifically in the First Air Defense Group (1º GDA). The ceremony that marks the start of operational activities took place yesterday at the Anápolis Air Base.

“The start of the operational activities of the Gripen by the FAB is an extremely important day, not only because it marks the beginning of a new operational era for the FAB, but also because it is the result of years of hard work together with the Air Force and our Brazilian industrial partners Embraer, AEL Sistemas, Akaer, Atech and our own subsidiaries in Brazil,” said Micael Johansson, Saab Chairman and CEO.

During the event, two Gripen fighters carried out a presentation flight led by FAB pilots Lieutenant Colonel Gustavo Pascotto, commander of the 1st GDA, and Lieutenant Colonel Ramón Lincoln Santos Fórneas.

The Brazilian pilots conducted the Gripen E training in Sweden and used two flight simulators, installed at the Anápolis Air Base, to prepare for today’s flight.

The entry into operation occurs after the flight test phase in Brazil, carried out at the Gripen Flight Test Center (GFTC), located at the Embraer plant in Gavião Peixoto, since September 2020, with the arrival of the test aircraft to the country.

In November, Saab obtained the necessary certification for the military use of the Gripen E, which certifies that the aircraft meets all the airworthiness and flight safety requirements established by the Swedish and Brazilian military authorities, represented by the Military Aviation Safety Inspectorate. of Sweden (FLYGI) and the Institute for Industrial Promotion and Coordination (IFI) of Brazil.

The joint certification reflects the synergy achieved thanks to the technical cooperation between both authorities, and is an important step before the Gripen begins its operational activities at the FAB.

“Brazil now has one of the most advanced fighters in the world. In addition, the Gripen Program brings with it the largest ongoing technology transfer program in Brazil and is undoubtedly the largest ever undertaken by a Swedish company. It contributes to the Brazilian defense industry the necessary know-how to develop, produce, test and maintain an advanced supersonic combat aircraft. We are very proud to be a strategic partner for Brazil,” concluded Johansson.

THE GRIPEN PROGRAM

The partnership between Saab and Brazil began in 2014, with a contract for the development and production of 36 Gripen E/F aircraft for the Brazilian Air Force, including systems, support and equipment.

An extensive technology transfer program, which is running over ten years, is driving the development of the local aeronautical industry through the associated companies that participate in the Brazilian Gripen program.

During this period, more than 350 Brazilian technicians and engineers are participating in theoretical and practical training in Sweden to acquire the necessary knowledge to perform the same tasks in Brazil.

With information from Infodefensa