Saab has unveiled the first Gripen F fighter, the two-seat version of the latest-generation combat aircraft. The supersonic jet is expected to be delivered to the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) in the coming months.
The aircraft, designated F-39F in Brazilian service, features a full-length canopy opening to the left side, similar to the single-seat Gripen E and the previous-generation Gripen D. The fighter was built in Linköping, Sweden, where Saab is headquartered.
The ceremony was attended by Brazilian Air Force Commander Lt. Brig. Marcelo Kanitz Damasceno, Brazilian Defense Minister José Múcio, Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson and Saab President and CEO Micael Johansson.
“We have a collaboration based on mutual trust,” Damasceno said, according to local media reports.
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The two-seat Gripen was developed at the request of the Brazilian Air Force, which ordered eight examples as part of its original contract for 36 aircraft. The F-39F was initially expected to be manufactured in Brazil at Embraer's facilities, but that provision was later revised, resulting in production being concentrated in Europe.
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In addition to Brazil, Colombia and Thailand have also selected the two-seat variant, ordering two and one aircraft, respectively. Two-seat versions have become increasingly uncommon among modern fighter aircraft programs.
In a press conference, Saab executives stated that they cannot estimate how many two-seat Gripen F aircraft they can sell, but that the aircraft is for combat, not training.
First Gripen F | Saab 
First Gripen F | Saab 
Micael Johansson, CEO of Saab | Saab
Johansson expressed confidence that Colombia will maintain the contract even with a change of government soon. He also revealed that Saab is developing unmanned aerial vehicles that will fly soon.
The aircraft will be transferred to the company's Flight Test Center and will begin a flight campaign before being sent to Brazil. Following the flight tests, the aircraft is expected to be partially disassembled and shipped to Brazil by sea.
Once in the country, it will follow the same acceptance process used for the single-seat F-39E fighters, including reassembly and a ferry flight from Navegantes to Anápolis Air Base, the home of Brazil's Gripen fleet.
