Sweden and Brazil signed a letter of intent this Saturday (9) to extend aviation cooperation, with Brazil planning to buy fighter jets from Sweden’s SAAB (SAABa.ST) and Sweden intending to acquire cargo planes from Embraer, the Swedish government said.
Brazil signed a contract in 2010 with Swedish defense company Saab to buy 36 JAS 39 Gripen aircraft. Saab and Embraer, from Brazil, also started joint production of JAS fighters on Brazilian soil.
“Brazil now states that it plans to extend the contract for JAS 39 Gripen aircraft by 25%,” the government said in a statement late on Saturday.
In return, Sweden selected Embraer’s C-390 Millennium as the country’s new military cargo plane, according to Embraer.
The letter of intent was signed by the Swedish Defense Minister, Pal Jonson, and his Brazilian counterpart, José Múcio, in Brazil.
“We are aware of the information. It is, of course, excellent news for SAAB and Sweden. We know that Brazil is very satisfied with the JAS as its fighter. We now look forward to continuing discussions with Brazil on new orders,” a SAAB spokesperson told Reuters, adding that no contract with SAAB had been signed.
Swedish Radio reported last Tuesday (5), citing anonymous sources, that Colombia will purchase a fleet of JAS Gripen fighters.
