Finance
Brazil Unveils First Supersonic Fighter Jet Assembled in Country
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 25, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 25, 2026
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Brazil unveiled on March 25, 2026 its first locally assembled supersonic Gripen fighter jet, becoming the first Latin American nation to produce such an aircraft. Fifteen of the 36 Gripen E/F jets under contract will be assembled at Embraer’s Gavião Peixoto facility.
Brazil Unveils First Domestically Assembled Supersonic Fighter Jet
Milestone in Latin American Military Aviation
By Gabriel Araujo
Historic Unveiling of the Gripen Fighter Jet
GAVIAO PEIXOTO, Brazil, March 25 (Reuters) - Brazil became the first Latin American nation to build a supersonic fighter jet on Wednesday when it unveiled the first Gripen plane assembled in the country.
Background: Brazil's Strategic Choice
Brazil first signed the contract for Saab's Gripen in 2014, choosing it over Boeing's F-18 Super Hornet and the Rafale, made by France's Dassault, to replace its aging fleet of fighter jets.
Joining the Ranks of Global Powers
The country joins Western powers such as the United States and France, as well as major developing economies including Russia, India and China, in building a supersonic fighter jet.
Technology Transfer and Local Production
Saab and Embraer Partnership
Its deal with Swedish defence group Saab included the production of 15 of the 36 jets under contract at Brazilian planemaker Embraer's Gaviao Peixoto plant in Sao Paulo state under a technology transfer agreement.
Export Potential and Regional Impact
Saab said it expects to use the Brazilian production line as an export hub, a prospect bolstered by an agreement last year for neighboring Colombia to acquire Gripen fighters.
Significance for Saab
"This is the first time since 1937, when Saab was founded, that a fighter aircraft is manufactured outside Sweden," said Saab CEO Micael Johansson.
Brazil's Expanding Military Aviation Ambitions
Embraer's Growing Influence
The Gripen production line underscores Brazil's growing ambitions in military aviation, with Embraer's C-390 Millennium cargo jet gaining traction among European buyers.
(Reporting by Gabriel Araujo; Editing by Brad Haynes and Alexander Smith)
Key Takeaways
- •Brazil inaugurated a final assembly line for the Gripen E at Embraer’s Gavião Peixoto plant in May 2023, marking the first Gripen assembly outside Sweden (saab.com).
- •Under the 2014 contract, Brazil will receive 36 Gripen E/F fighters, with 15 assembled domestically, a major technology transfer and industrial partnership with Saab (saab.com).
- •Brazil’s Gripen E has already commenced Quick Reaction Alert missions from Anápolis Air Base as of February 24, 2026, demonstrating supersonic operational capability (saab.com).
- •Saab aims to use the Brazilian assembly line as a regional export hub; Colombia signed a Gripen E/F contract—17 aircraft—to be delivered from 2026 to 2032, further boosting Brazil’s strategic aerospace role (saab.com).
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Brazil unveils first supersonic fighter jet assembled in country
1Which fighter jet did Brazil assemble for the first time?
Brazil assembled the Saab Gripen fighter jet, marking its debut as a manufacturer of supersonic jets.
2Why did Brazil choose the Saab Gripen over other jets?
Brazil selected Saab's Gripen over Boeing's F-18 Super Hornet and the Rafale due to its contract and technology transfer agreement.
3Where was Brazil's first supersonic fighter jet assembled?
The Gripen fighter jet was assembled at Embraer's Gaviao Peixoto plant in Sao Paulo state.
4How does the Gripen assembly in Brazil affect its defense industry?
The local assembly underscores Brazil's growing ambitions in military aviation and positions the country as an export hub for Saab.
5Which countries are involved in producing supersonic fighter jets?
Countries like the United States, France, Russia, India, China, and now Brazil manufacture supersonic fighter jets.
