The rollout of aircraft FAB 4109, assembled in Gavião Peixoto, marks progress in the F-X2 program, consolidates technology transfer, and strengthens the national defense industry.
Brazil presented this Wednesday, March 25, the first supersonic F-39 Gripen fighter produced in the country, during a ceremony held at the Embraer facility in Gavião Peixoto (SP). The event marks a new phase in the modernization program of the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) and reinforces the strategy of strengthening the Defense Industrial Base through technology internalization and the expansion of national capabilities in the aerospace sector.
The presentation of the aircraft represents a milestone for the F-X2 program. Of the 36 units acquired by the FAB, 15 will have final assembly in Brazil, at Embraer’s plant. The measure is seen as central to absorbing advanced technical knowledge in areas such as production, integration, logistics support, and future upgrades of the platform.
According to the government and the Air Force, domestic production of the Gripen expands the country’s strategic autonomy, reduces external dependence in a sensitive sector, and strengthens industrial capabilities with impacts that go beyond the military sphere, also reaching innovation, engineering, and technological development.
During the ceremony, the Minister of Defense, José Múcio Monteiro Filho, stated that the delivery meets the project’s planned schedule. According to him, the arrival of the first aircraft produced in Brazil in 2026 was already included in the program’s plan, and the presentation of the fighter confirms the execution of a commitment considered historic for the country.
The Commander of the Air Force, Air Lieutenant Brigadier Marcelo Kanitz Damasceno, highlighted the strategic importance of the moment and said that aircraft FAB 4109 symbolizes the transition from planning to execution. In his speech, he described the Gripen as the most powerful combat platform ever incorporated into the history of the Brazilian Air Force and stated that production on national territory represents an achievement for the entire nation.
With the serial production of the F-39, Brazil becomes the only country to manufacture the Gripen outside Sweden, increasing its relevance in the international defense sector. Companies such as AEL Sistemas, Atech, and Akaer already participate in the program by supplying avionics, structures, and strategic components.
The ceremony brought together civil and military authorities, members of the Air Force High Command, representatives of the defense industry, and specialists from the Air Force Academy (AFA). The participation of these professionals coincided with the celebrations of the Air Force Specialist Day, reinforcing recognition of the technical and operational work that sustains Brazil’s air power.
The presentation of the first F-39 Gripen produced on national soil is seen by the FAB as a turning point: more than the delivery of a new fighter, the event symbolizes the maturity of a state policy focused on sovereignty, innovation, and consolidating Brazil as a relevant player in the aerospace defense industry.
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Source and images: Brazilian Air Force Agency. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
