Swedish defense manufacturer Saab has signed an agreement with Portuguese aerospace supplier Vangest to industrialize eight complex components for the Gripen E/F fighter jet. The work will be carried out at Vangest's facilities in Marinha Grande, Portugal, expanding the aircraft's international supply chain.
Announced on November 11, the agreement covers eight different components rather than a production batch of eight parts. Saab has not identified the components or disclosed the contract's value, expected production volumes or delivery schedule.
The announcement formalizes an industrial relationship that had already become public earlier this year. Saab identified Vangest as a Gripen supplier during a presentation to Portuguese journalists in Sweden in April, and Portuguese business newspaper ECO reported in July that the company was already manufacturing parts for the fighter.
The new agreement provides a more specific indication of the work assigned to Vangest, although it remains unclear whether the eight components are entirely new additions to the supplier's existing responsibilities.
Existing ties with Embraer and OGMA
Vangest operates an industrial complex covering approximately 43,000 square meters (463,000 square feet) in Marinha Grande, including 25,000 square meters (269,000 square feet) of production facilities. The company specializes in precision manufacturing, machining and complex metallic components, including titanium parts.
According to ECO, the company employs around 350 people, approximately 70 of whom work in its aerospace business.
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Vangest also has an established relationship with OGMA, the Portuguese aircraft maintenance and manufacturing company controlled by Brazil's Embraer. The supplier has worked on components for the KC-390 military transport aircraft since 2012.
A Vangest executive told ECO in July that the relationship with OGMA helped establish contact with Saab. Embraer is a major industrial partner in the Gripen E/F program, with responsibilities that include aircraft development and production activities in Brazil.
However, Saab has not specified whether the components covered by the latest agreement will be supplied to its production facilities in Sweden, Brazil or both.
F-35 remains Portugal's preferred fighter
Portugal is preparing to replace its aging fleet of 28 F-16 fighters, although the government has yet to launch a formal procurement process or select a replacement. The program is expected to be included in the country's revised Military Programming Law, scheduled for submission to parliament before the end of 2026.
The Lockheed Martin F-35A remains the preferred option within the Portuguese Air Force An internal assessment comparing four candidates under 20 criteria reportedly placed the American stealth fighter first, followed by the Gripen E. The evaluation represents a military recommendation rather than a government decision.
In October, Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel confirmed that the government was seriously considering the F-35 alongside other alternatives. His comments followed doubts expressed by Defense Minister Nuno Melo in 2025 over Portugal's long-term dependence on the United States.
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Saab faces competition from Lockheed Martin, Dassault Aviation with the Rafale and the Eurofighter consortium. All four manufacturers have pursued industrial partnerships in Portugal to strengthen their proposals.
Lockheed Martin announced in October that it would invite four Portuguese companies to compete for the production of structural components for the F-35. The American manufacturer has identified 17 potential industrial projects in Portugal, including manufacturing and maintenance activities.
Saab has discussed the possibility of manufacturing fuselage sections and even establishing Gripen final assembly activities in Portugal if its fighter is selected. The agreement with Vangest, however, establishes a manufacturing relationship independently of the Portuguese procurement decision.
