Brazil launches its first locally assembled supersonic fighter jet F-39E "Gripen".
On March 25 local time, the first domestically assembled supersonic fighter jet F-39E "Gripen" was officially unveiled at the testing base of Embraer in Gavião Peixoto, São Paulo. Brazilian President Lula attended the launch event.
The F-39E is the first supersonic fighter jet assembled in Brazil, a project implemented in cooperation between Brazil and Sweden. This fighter jet has a maximum speed of approximately 2400 kilometers per hour, a maximum endurance of about 2.5 hours, and is equipped with aerial refueling capabilities and multi-role combat performance, capable of executing air defense, reconnaissance, and ground attack missions.
Currently, the F-39E has begun to be inducted into the Brazilian Air Force and is deployed at the Anápolis base, about 150 kilometers from the capital Brasília, undertaking air defense alert duties. In February 2026, the aircraft entered air defense standby status for the first time, capable of executing real combat missions and responsible for the security of the capital's airspace.
In the future, the F-39E will gradually replace the decades-old American-made F-5 fighter jets and AMX attack aircraft, becoming one of the main equipment of the Brazilian Air Force. (Reporter: Geng Zhiqian, Correspondent: Xie Dan)
The first domestically assembled supersonic fighter jet, the F-39E 'Gripen', was unveiled in Gavião Peixoto, São Paulo, on March 25, 2023. The Brazilian Air Force has begun operational deployment of the aircraft, which features advanced capabilities including air-to-air refueling and multi-role operations. It is set to replace older models such as the F-5 and AMX.
- The F-39E 'Gripen' is the first supersonic fighter jet assembled in Brazil.
- The aircraft was unveiled on March 25, 2023, at a test facility in Gavião Peixoto, São Paulo.
- It has a maximum speed of approximately 2400 km/h and a range of up to 2.5 hours.
- The F-39E is now operational with the Brazilian Air Force and is stationed at Anápolis Air Base.
- It will gradually replace older aircraft like the F-5 and AMX in the Brazilian Air Force.