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Brazil has expressed interest in purchasing 20 additional Gripen E and F fighter jets from Swedish defense company Saab. This move would significantly expand the Brazilian Air Force’s fleet and further strengthen defense cooperation between the two countries.

The announcement was made during Brazilian Defense Minister Jose Mucio Monteiro Filho’s visit to Sweden, where he held talks with Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson.

While no final agreement has been signed, both sides confirmed that discussions are progressing on a potential expansion of Brazil’s existing Gripen program.

If approved, the additional aircraft would increase Brazil’s Gripen fleet from 36 to 56 fighters, making the aircraft the backbone of the country’s future air combat capabilities.

Brazil to Expand Fighter Fleet

Brazil originally selected the Gripen fighter in 2014 after a competition that included the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet and the Dassault Rafale. The deal covered 36 aircraft, including 28 single-seat Gripen E fighters and eight two-seat Gripen F variants.

Since deliveries began in 2020, 11 aircraft have been handed over to the Brazilian Air Force. The remaining jets from the original order are expected to be delivered by 2027.

Speaking during the visit, Jonson confirmed that Brazil has officially expressed interest in acquiring 20 additional Gripens. “Brazil expresses an interest in going beyond the 36 Gripens and purchasing an additional 20 Gripens,” he said.

The proposed expansion follows a review by the Brazilian Air Force, which concluded that a larger fleet is needed to effectively protect the country’s vast territory and maintain national sovereignty.

Brazilian Air Force Commander Marcelo Kanitz Damasceno said military planners determined that the service requires between 50 and 60 fighter aircraft.

“Our staff studies signalized for us a requirement of between 50 and 60 fighter aircraft, something like that, to maintain the sovereignty of our country,” Damasceno said.

He added that expanding the fleet to around 56 aircraft would provide the force with the operational capability it needs.

Production Would Remain in Brazil

One of the key features of the Gripen program has been the transfer of technology and manufacturing capabilities to Brazil. In 2023, Saab and Brazilian aerospace company Embraer launched a Gripen production line in the state of São Paulo, creating the only Gripen assembly facility outside Sweden.

Earlier this year, the first fully Brazilian-assembled Gripen E rolled out from the facility, marking an important milestone in the partnership.

According to Jonson, any additional aircraft ordered by Brazil would likely be produced locally. The minister said it would be natural for Saab to use the Brazilian production site, which has already become a central part of the Gripen program. He also indicated that additional Gripen F aircraft could be assembled in Brazil.

The arrangement benefits both countries. Brazil gains industrial expertise, jobs, and advanced technology, while Sweden can expand production capacity at a time when international demand for the Gripen is increasing rapidly.

During the visit, the two defense ministers signed a declaration of intent aimed at deepening military cooperation between Brazil and Sweden.

As part of the expanded partnership, Saab plans to establish a research and development center in Brazil. The new facility would further strengthen technological cooperation and support future development projects related to aerospace and defense.

The agreement reflects a relationship that has evolved beyond a traditional buyer-seller arrangement into a broader strategic partnership.

The growing cooperation has increasingly become a two-way relationship. Sweden has also turned to Brazil’s defense industry in recent years, selecting Embraer’s C-390 Millennium transport aircraft for its military transport requirements.

First Gripen F Unveiled

A major highlight of Mucio’s visit was Saab’s presentation of the first Gripen F fighter aircraft, a two-seat version developed specifically with Brazilian requirements in mind.

The Gripen F maintains the same combat capabilities as the single-seat Gripen E while adding a second cockpit that can be used for pilot training and operational missions. Brazil serves as the launch customer for the aircraft and will become the first country to operate the new variant.

The rollout marks another milestone in the long-running collaboration between Saab and Brazil and demonstrates the significant role Brazil has played in the development of the aircraft.

Growing Global Interest in the Gripen

Brazil’s interest in expanding its Gripen fleet comes as the fighter aircraft gains momentum internationally. In recent months, several countries have moved to strengthen or expand their Gripen programs. Thailand has ordered additional Gripen E/F fighters, while Colombia signed a contract for 17 aircraft last year, with deliveries expected to begin in 2026.

Sweden and Ukraine have also announced plans for Kyiv to acquire up to 20 Gripen E/F fighters in the future, although a final contract has yet to be signed. Sweden has additionally committed to transferring older Gripen C/D aircraft to support Ukraine’s defense needs.

The increased international demand has helped strengthen the Gripen’s position in the global fighter aircraft market and supports Sweden’s own transition toward the more advanced Gripen E variant.

The Swedish Air Force received its first operational Gripen E aircraft last year as part of a planned fleet of 60 jets, with deliveries expected to continue through the end of the decade.

Jonson said the rising interest in the aircraft reflects a broader global trend of countries investing heavily in defense modernization amid growing security concerns.

He highlighted the Gripen’s advanced electronic warfare capabilities, lower operating costs, and emerging technologies as key factors attracting potential buyers. “The larger the user club we have for the Gripen system, the better it is,” Jonson said.

Although negotiations on the additional 20 aircraft are still ongoing and no final contract has been signed, both governments have signaled a strong commitment to expanding their defense relationship.

The additional fighters would strengthen Brazil’s air power capabilities while supporting the growth of its domestic aerospace industry. For Sweden, the deal would reinforce Gripen’s international presence and deepen cooperation with one of its most important defense partners outside Europe.