Expanding the fleet of series models as well as the capacity to defend and guarantee the sovereignty of the country’s airspace and its borders, two more units arrived in Brazil this Friday (05/05). The F-39E Gripen-E fighters were transported by ship from Sweden to the Port of Navegantes, in Santa Catarina (SC), from where they were removed early this Saturday (06/05). For the transportation, there was the involvement of Brazilian Air Force personnel, in addition to the Military Police of Santa Catarina (PMSC), Municipal Guard of Navegantes, and Fire Department of Santa Catarina (CBMSC). The operation also had the participation of the Civil Police of Santa Catarina (PCSC), the Municipality of Navegantes, the Municipal Foundation for Surveillance and Traffic (NAVETRAN), and the Federal Revenue Service.
The coordinator of Operation Navegantes, Colonel Aviador Leandro Barbosa Ferreira Pinto, explains the dynamics of the mission. “The arrival of two more F-39 Gripen aircraft on Brazilian soil represents the continuity of a joint effort in favor of the air defense of our country and is a source of pride for all the members of this operation,”, highlights the officer. Operating in Navegantes are teams from the Coordinating Committee of the Combat Aircraft Program (COPAC), the Preparation Command (COMPREP), the Air Force Logistics Transport Center (CTLA), the Air Force Intelligence Center (CIAER), the Investigation and Prevention of Aeronautical Accidents (CENIPA), and Saab, the company that develops the Gripen.
With the arrival of the new units, registrations FAB 4105 and FAB 4106, the Air Force will now have six F-39 Gripen aircraft, integrating the collection of the First Air Defense Group (1st GDA) Jaguar Squadron, located at Anápolis Air Base (BAAN) in Goiás (GO). Upon arrival at Navegantes Airport, the aircraft were parked in the hangar. During the weekend, they will undergo technical procedures in addition to receiving the installation of the ejection seats and the survival kit, as well as preparation for fueling and activation on the ground. There is still no confirmed date for the takeoff of the aircraft.
Gripen is recognized for its efficiency, low cost of operation, high availability, and advanced technological capabilities. The new fighter will also be used by the Swedish Air Force as the vector responsible for the sovereignty and protection of these nations. In Brazil, entry into service means an important qualitative and technological leap, with some of the features shipped being unprecedented for the FAB. The Brazilian Air Force is a pioneer in the operation of the Gripen, jointly developed by Brazil and Sweden. The Saab JAS 39 Gripen is a light single-engine multirole fighter aircraft manufactured by the Swedish aerospace and defense company Saab AB. The Gripen has a delta wing and canard configuration with relaxed stability design and fly-by-wire flight controls. Later aircraft are fully NATO interoperable.
