Brazil plans additional purchase of 20 Gripen fighter jets

Brazil and Sweden have signed an expanded defence industry cooperation agreement, with Brazil announcing plans to acquire 20 more Saab JAS 39 Gripen fighter aircraft, according to a press briefing reported by Swedish broadcaster SVT.

The announcement came during Brazilian defence minister José Múcio’s visit to Sweden, where he attended the unveiling of the first Brazilian-assembled Gripen F—a two-seat variant of the Gripen E—at Saab’s Linköping facility. The Gripen F model is designed for pilot training and drone-enabled combat operations.

While Sweden has not yet ordered the Gripen F, officials indicated earlier this week that such a purchase remains under consideration.

Brazil’s air force has already ordered 36 Gripen E jets under a 2014 contract with Saab, which included a partnership with Brazilian aerospace manufacturer Embraer to assemble the aircraft locally. In March, Embraer rolled out its first Brazil-built Gripen at its Gavião Peixoto plant in São Paulo state. A 2024 letter of intent outlined plans for nine additional jets.

Sweden, meanwhile, has agreed to buy four Embraer C-390 Millennium transport aircraft to replace its aging Hercules fleet, with deliveries expected to begin in 2028.