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Inauguration of the Gripen Production Line Leverages National Defense Industry: José Mucio

(Source: Brazilian Ministry of Defense; issued May 09, 2023)
(Unofficial translation by Defense-Aerospace.com)
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (center), accompanied by Brazilian and Swedish industry and government officials, inaugurated the Gripen E final assembly line at Gaviao Peixoto, which will make 15 of the 36 aircraft on order, as well as any Gripens that may be ordered by South American countries. (Brazilian MoD photo)

GAVIÃO PEIXOTO, Brazil --- On Tuesday (May 9), the Minister of Defense, José Mucio, accompanied President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva at the inauguration ceremony of the F-39 Gripen manufacturing line, at Embraer, in Gavião Peixoto (SP).

The strategic defense project, known as F-X2, is a partnership between the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) and the Swedish company SAAB for the acquisition of 36 aircraft, which will expand the country's air defense capacity. Equipment development - around BRL 19 billion ($3.8 billion—Ed) (contract total, conversion into current exchange rate) - leverages the national defense industry, through a technology transfer program, promotes greater technological autonomy and generates around 13,000 direct jobs and indirect.

Minister José Mucio highlighted the Defense work in favor of the Brazilian industrial park and Brazil's position in the development of equipment of this nature. "This partnership also provides Brazil with the necessary transfer of state-of-the-art technology, allowing, today, the inauguration of an aircraft production line on national soil. I emphasize that few countries in the world have this capacity". He also emphasized the folder's responsibility and compatibility with the size of the country. "The acquisition of Gripen fighters brings to the Air Force, in particular, and to Brazil, in the broadest sense, the acquisition of new horizons in the capacity to provide an air defense compatible with the continental dimensions of Brazil".

Before the ceremony, the entourage visited the aircraft's assembly line, where 15 of the 36 units acquired by the FAB will be assembled. On the spot, President Lula unveiled the sector's inauguration plaque. During the ceremony, an institutional video was shown about the partnership and the benefits of the Gripen Program for Brazilian industry, in addition to Embraer's fundamental role in the production of the equipment. Brazilian and Swedish officials made speeches, emphasizing the pride of cooperation between the two countries.

The Air Force Commander, Lieutenant-Brigadier Marcelo Kanitz Damasceno, spoke about the relevance of the historical milestone reached, for the Force and for the State. "I proudly recognize that this fruitful partnership has positioned the FAB on a new technological level, as well as that, from the healthy cooperation between Saab and Embraer, it will certainly be possible for Brazil to become a hub for exporting supersonic fighter jets to other countries. ".

Also present were the Minister of Labor and Employment, Luiz Marinho; the Minister of Science, Technology, Innovation, Luciana Santos; the Chief Minister of the Institutional Security Office of the Presidency of the Republic, Army General R/1 Marcos Antônio Amaro dos Santos; the Chief Minister of the General Secretariat of the Presidency of the Republic, Márcio Costa Macêdo; Sweden's Minister for Civil Defense, Carl-Oskar Bohlin; the Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces, Admiral Renato Rodrigues Aguiar Freire; the General Secretary of the MD, Luiz Henrique Pochyly da Costa; the President of Embraer Defense and Security, João Bosco da Costa Junior; and Saab President Micael Johansson; among other civil and military authorities.

F-X2 Project

The F-X2 project was born out of the need to re-equip the Air Force with new fighter jets, to replace the old F-2000 (already decommissioned) and the F-5 and A-1 models. In 2014, a contract was signed between the FAB and the company SAAB for the acquisition of 36 F-39 Gripen, of which 28 were single-seat units (one seat) and eight were two-seat units (two seats). So far, six units have been received and four are already in operation, at the First Air Defense Group (1st GDA), at Anápolis Air Base, in Goiás. The last two units arrived in Brazil on Friday (05), at the Port of Navegantes (SC).

Known for its high efficiency, low operating costs, high availability and advanced technological capabilities, the F-39 Gripen is a state-of-the-art fighter that will meet the operational needs of the FAB for 30 years. The aircraft is capable of performing air defense, attack and reconnaissance missions, such as airspace policing in critical regions. Equipped with radar, infrared sensor and air-to-air missiles, with BVR (Beyond Visual Range) and WVR (Within Visual Range) capabilities, the Gripen is a highly lethal weapon system against possible air threats.

Defense Industry

The Defense Industrial Base (BID) participates in the project with qualified companies that were included in the compensation package negotiated by the Coordinating Committee of the Combat Aircraft Program (COPAC-FAB). Among other processes, BID is present in the development of structures, systems and avionics. The technology transfer program is composed of around 60 key projects. The most significant is the Gripen Design and Development Network (GDDN), located at Embraer's industrial plant, in Gavião Peixoto (SP).

At the Brazilian factory, 15 of the 36 units of the plane will be produced by Brazilian engineers and technicians who underwent theoretical and practical training at the headquarters of the Swedish Saab, in Linköping. The forecast is that the last fighter will be delivered in 2027.

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Gripen E Production Line Inaugurated in Brazil

GAVIAO PEIXOTO, Brazil --– Embraer and Saab today have inaugurated the production line of the Gripen E in Brazil, at Embraer´s plant in Gavião Peixoto (São Paulo State).

This is an important milestone in the technology transfer program and the companies' commitment to work together on new business opportunities. The event was attended by the President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the Minister of Defense, José Mucio Monteiro Filho, and the Brazilian Air Force Commander, Lieutenant-Brigadier Marcelo Kanitz Damasceno, among other important civil and military authorities. and representatives of different sectors of Brazilian society.

The inauguration of the final assembly line, which is the only one for Gripen E outside of Sweden, marks the delivery of one the most significant contributions to the Gripen fighter ecosystem in Brazil. The Embraer plant in Gavião Peixoto with the Gripen Design and Development Network (GDDN), the Gripen Flight Test Center (GFTC), and now the assembly line, is home to the development, production, and testing stages of the aircraft.

Since the signing of the contract to supply 36 fighters - Gripen E (single seater) and eight Gripen F (twin seater) - to the Brazilian Air Force in 2014, Embraer and Saab have been working together on the largest ongoing technology transfer project in the country. Recently, with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the companies, the production line has also become an opportunity for new business.

“Today we celebrate not only the inauguration of the Gripen fighter production line, but the success of the collaboration between Saab and Embraer, which grows stronger every day with the common goal of serving our client, the Brazilian Air Force. Since the beginning, Embraer has played a relevant role in the Gripen program, participating, for instance, in the development of the Brazilian version of the twin-seater aircraft. As a natural evolution of this relationship, we hope that soon we can together expand our business into new markets,” said Bosco da Costa Junior, President and CEO, Embraer Defense & Security.

“The start of operations of the Gripen production line marks our commitment to transfer technology and knowledge to Brazilian industry. Here, we will produce 15 of the 36 aircraft currently contracted to the Brazilian Air Force. The aim is also to produce here any future Gripen orders from Brazil as well as other countries. We want Brazil to become an export hub to Latin America and potentially other regions”, said Micael Johansson, President and CEO of Saab.

"The start of production of the F-39 Gripen aircraft in Brazil symbolizes the achievement of an ambitious project that translates itself into technology transfer, job creation and the consequent development of Brazil's aerospace sector. Thanks to a solid partnership between the Air Force,

Saab, and Embraer, we are now part of the select group of countries that have the capability to build supersonic aircraft. Congratulations to all involved!”, said the Brazilian Air Force Commander, Lieutenant-Brigadier Marcelo Kanitz Damasceno.

The production line at Embraer receives the aerostructures produced at the Saab plants in Linköping (Sweden) and São Bernardo do Campo (São Paulo State, Brazil). On the assembly line the fighter aircraft will be produced by the joining of these aerostructures, the installation of cabling, equipment of various systems, landing gear, avionics, tactical equipment, canopy, ejection seat and engine. Once a Gripen is completed, functional tests and production flights are carried out to prepare the aircraft for final delivery. The Embraer plant will be responsible for producing 15 Gripen E fighters. Units assembled in Brazil will be delivered from 2025.

To acquire the necessary skills for the production of supersonic fighter jets in Brazil, Embraer technicians carried out theoretical and practical training – on-the-job training - at Saab in Linköping. There they worked side by side with Swedish employees to produce the aircraft that have already been shipped to Brazil.

A global aerospace company headquartered in Brazil, Embraer has businesses in Commercial and Executive aviation, Defense & Security and Agricultural Aviation. The company designs, develops, manufactures, and markets aircraft and systems, providing Services & Support to customers after-sales.

Embraer is the leading manufacturer of commercial jets up to 150 seats and the main exporter of high value-added goods in Brazil. The company maintains industrial units, offices, service and parts distribution centers, among other activities, across the Americas, Africa, Asia and Europe.

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Gripen E Production Line Inaugurated in Brazil

Saab and Embraer have today inaugurated the production line for Gripen E in Brazil, at Embraer´s plant in Gavião Peixoto (São Paulo State). This is an important milestone in the technology transfer programme and the companies' commitment to work together on new business opportunities.

The event was attended by high-ranking civil and military authorities, as well as representatives from various sectors of Brazilian society. The President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, participated in the ceremony, together with the Minister of Defense, José Mucio Monteiro Filho and the Brazilian Air Force Commander, Air Force General Marcelo Kanitz Damasceno, among other important guests.

The inauguration of the final assembly line, which is the only one for Gripen E outside of Sweden, marks the delivery of one of the most significant contributions to the Gripen fighter ecosystem in Brazil. The Embraer plant in Gavião Peixoto with the Gripen Design and Development Network (GDDN), the Gripen Flight Test Center (GFTC), and now the assembly line, is home to the development, production and testing stages of the aircraft.

Since the signing of the contract to supply 36 Gripen fighters – 28 Gripen E (single seater) and 8 Gripen F (twin seater) - to the Brazilian Air Force in 2014, Saab and Embraer have been working together on the largest ongoing technology transfer project in the country. Recently, with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the companies, the production line has also become an opportunity for new business.

"The start of operations of the Gripen production line marks our commitment to transfer technology and knowledge to Brazilian industry. Here, we will produce 15 of the 36 aircraft currently contracted to the Brazilian Air Force. The aim is also to produce here any future Gripen orders from Brazil as well as other countries. We want Brazil to become an export hub to Latin America and potentially other regions”, said Micael Johansson, President and CEO of Saab.

“Today we celebrate not only the inauguration of the Gripen fighter production line, but also the success of the collaboration between Saab and Embraer, which grows stronger every day with the common goal of serving our client, the Brazilian Air Force. Since the beginning, Embraer has played a relevant role in the Gripen programme, participating, for instance, in the development of the Brazilian version of the twin-seater aircraft. As a natural evolution of this relationship, we hope that we can soon expand our business together into new markets,” said Bosco da Costa Junior, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security.

“The start of production of the F-39 Gripen aircraft in Brazil symbolizes the achievement of an ambitious project that translates itself into technology transfer, job creation and the consequent development of Brazil’s aerospace sector. Thanks to a solid partnership between the Air Force, Saab and Embraer, we are now part of the select group of countries that have the capability to build supersonic aircraft. Congratulations to all involved!” said the Brazilian Air Force Commander, General Marcelo Kanitz Damasceno.

The production line at Embraer receives the aerostructures produced at the Saab plants in Linköping (Sweden) and São Bernardo do Campo (São Paulo State, Brazil).

Once a Gripen is completed, functional tests and production flights are carried out in order to prepare the aircraft for final delivery. The Embraer plant will be responsible for producing 15 Gripen E fighters. Units assembled in Brazil will be delivered from 2025.

In order to acquire the necessary skills for the production of supersonic fighter jets in Brazil, Embraer technicians carried out theoretical and practical training – on-the-job training - at Saab in Linköping. There they worked side by side with Swedish employees to produce the aircraft that have already been shipped to Brazil.

 

Saab is a leading defence and security company with an enduring mission, to help nations keep their people and society safe. Empowered by its 19,000 talented people, Saab constantly pushes the boundaries of technology to create a safer, more sustainable and more equitable world. Saab designs, manufactures and maintains advanced systems in aeronautics, weapons, command and control, sensors and underwater systems. Saab is headquartered in Sweden. It has major operations all over the world and is part of the domestic defence capability of several nations.

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