Brazil joins the Gripen family
Swedish defence and security company Saab has signed a contract with the Brazilian Federal Government covering the development and production of 36 Gripen NG fighter aircraft plus related systems and equipment for the Brazilian Air Force in return for appr. SEK 39.3 billion ($5.5 billion). The programme comprises 28 single-seat and 8 two-seat Gripen NG.
Since December last year the Brazilian Federal Government and Saab have been negotiating on the Gripen deal and signed the contract on Monday, 27 October 2014. The deal also includes industrial co-operation projects and technology transfer to Brazilian industry to be performed over the upcoming ten years. Gripen NG deliveries to the Brazilian Air Force will be undertaken from 2019 to 2024.
Brazil joins Sweden in becoming the launch customer for the next-generation Gripen, which shares the same smart design and innovative technology as today’s Gripen versions. Gripen aircraft are currently in operational service in the Swedish, Czech, Hungarian, South African and Royal Thai Air Forces, and also in the UK Empire Test Pilots’ School (ETPS). Hungary, as the first NATO country to choose the Gripen, signed a contract in November 2001 to lease 14 Swedish Gripen aircraft over a 10-year period. In January 2012 Hungary signed a contract to extend lease another ten years, until 2026, when the aircraft will be owned by Hungary.
Håkan Buskhe, the CEO of Saab said the new contract with Brazil validates Gripen as "the most capable and modern fighter system on the market".