The first Gripen E produced in Brazil made its maiden flight on Tuesday, Saab announced. The sortie also marked the first time an aircraft from the Swedish manufacturer built outside the country has taken to the air.
The aircraft, designated FAB 4109 by the Brazilian Air Force (FAB), departed Embraer's Gavião Peixoto facility in São Paulo state at 10:21 a.m. local time. Saab chief test pilot Jakob Högberg conducted the flight.
The sortie verified basic system functions and assessed the fighter's initial performance. Saab classified it as the aircraft's initial production acceptance test, which begins the final manufacturing phase before delivery.
Embraer flight engineers planned and conducted the mission with support from Saab. FAB 4109 will undergo additional production acceptance flights before certification and handover to the Brazilian Air Force.
Brazilian line will produce 15 Gripen E fighters
Embraer presented FAB 4109 on March 25. The aircraft is the first of 15 Gripen Es scheduled to be assembled in Brazil under the current program.
Production at Gavião Peixoto began in April 2023, with the assembly line formally inaugurated the following month. The facility is the only supersonic fighter production line in South America and gives Brazil responsibility for final assembly in addition to development, systems integration, testing and structural manufacturing activities.
Saab and Embraer could also use the Brazilian line for export aircraft. In July, the companies signed a preliminary agreement covering the potential production of another 20 Gripen E fighters in Brazil for international customers.
Brazil originally ordered 36 Gripens, comprising 28 single-seat Gripen Es and eight two-seat Gripen Fs. The FAB later ordered nine additional Gripen Es, bringing the contracted fleet to 45 aircraft.
Once its acceptance campaign is completed, FAB 4109 will move to Anápolis Air Base in Goiás state to join the 1st Air Defense Group (1st GDA), which currently operates 10 Gripen fighters.
