INCOBRA - Increasing International Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation between Brazil and the European Union

Embraer and SAAB have taken an important step in building the Gripen NG. Partners in the development and production of the new Brazilian Air Force (FAB) jet fighter, the companies opened the Projects and Development Center of Gripen in Gavião Peixoto (SP). It is based on technology transfer from the Swedish company to the Brazilian partners.

According to the companies, by 2024 about 350 professionals will have taken courses at the company's headquarters in Sweden. The specialists will acquire skills and knowledge which will enable extensive development and production work of the aircraft. This includes the final set up of the jet fighters.

Around 100 Brazilians have already participated in the training and begin to develop work in the center of the Gripen. For the Minister of Defense, Raul Jungmann, the skilled labor guarantees technological knowledge to the country. "Brazil, in its dimensions, is destined for global projection. If today we live in a setting where we do not identify threats, the truth is that this bonus of providence will not be eternal", he said.

For the director of the Gripen Brasil Program, Mikael Franzén, the country can become a platform of production and exportation. The contract signed between the Brazilian government and the Swedish company bargain for the construction of 36 aircraft, of which 28 are of one seat and 8 of two seats. "We call the Gripen as the intelligent hunting because it’s an easy system to use. A multi-missions plane that can make different types of recognitions", explained Franzén.

The expectation is that the first devices will be delivered by 2019. In addition to Gavião Peixoto, the companies will have operation centers in São Bernardo do Campo (SP) and Porto Alegre (RS).

(Agency Management CT&I / ABIPTI, with information from the Ministry of Defense)