Four Aircraft for Brazil, Two for Sweden
Saab presented the first six serial production GRIPEN E aircraft to Brazilian and Swedish authorities on 24 November, also discussing mutually beneficial joint activities as the programme enters the serial delivery phase.
Participants included: Gen Carlos de Almeida Baptista Jr, Commander of the Brazilian Air Force; Maj Gen Carl-Johan Edström, Commander of the Swedish Air Force; Micael Johansson, President and CEO of Saab; and Jonas Hjelm, Senior VP and Head of Saab’s Aeronautics business area.
“These deliveries form an important part of strengthening our capabilities and defending Sweden. [The] JAS 39 E GRIPEN will increase Sweden’s defence capability, allowing us to build a stronger and tactically superior Air Force for every situation,” commented Gen Edström.
“It is a pleasure to follow the fulfilment of yet another step in the delivery process of the F-39 GRIPEN aircraft, which will lead the evolution of the Brazilian Air Force’s combat capability. This project represents a new technological level for Brazil and it is of fundamental importance in the development of our Industrial Defence Base,” added Gen Baptista.
During the visit to Saab, several serial production and test aircraft were presented to the authorities, who also had the opportunity to test the new GRIPEN mission trainer simulator, and to view an air display with both Swedish and Brazilian aircraft.
“The start of the serial delivery phase with these four aircraft for the Brazilian Air Force and two for the Swedish Air Force is an extremely important achievement for the GRIPEN programme. It shows that we have a mature product, and that we fulfill our contractual obligations […] This all has been possible thanks to our smart ways of working, innovative production technologies and close cooperation with the customers,” stated Johansson.
