Francisco Gomes Neto says he is optimistic about sales of the F-39E Gripen and cites Colombia as a possible buyer
Embraer CEO, Francisco Gomes Neto, said this Wednesday (25 March 2026) that he is working to export the F-39E Gripen, the first supersonic fighter produced in Brazil, to Colombia and other countries. The speech was made at an event to launch the 1st supersonic fighter produced in Brazil, held at the Embraer Aerodrome, in Gavião Peixoto, in the interior of São Paulo.
“We are strongly committed to the success of the program in future exports, including opportunities in Colombia and other markets,” said Francisco Gomes Neto.
Gripen E is 15.2 meters long, has a wingspan of 8.6 meters, and a maximum take-off weight of 16.5 tonnes. The fighter has 10 external load attachment points (missiles, bombs, fuel tanks and sensors). The maximum speed is Mach 2 (about 2,400 km/h to 2,500 km/h), twice the speed of sound.
The model was produced at the Embraer unit in Gavião Peixoto, opened in 2023. A total of 15 aircraft should be produced there. In São Bernardo, in the metropolitan region of São Paulo, there is Saab’s 1st aerostructures factory outside Sweden. Tail cones, aerodynamic brakes and rear and front fuselages for the Gripen are produced at the site.
Watch the video (32s):
Also present at the event were the president (PT); the vice president, (PSB); the Minister of Defense, José Múcio Monteiro; the Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filho (Republicans); the Minister of Labor and Employment (PT); the Minister of Entrepreneurship, Microenterprise and Small Businesses, Márcio França (PSB); the Minister of Cities, Jader Filho (MDB); the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Luciana Santos (PCdoB); the Swedish ambassador to Brazil, Karin Wallensteen; Saab CEO Micael Johansson; the president of Apex, Jorge Viana; the president of BNDES, (PT); the senator (Podemos); the president of PT, Edinho Silva; and the mayor of Gavião Peixoto, Adriano Marçal da Silva (PSD).
Watch the event:
Brazilian Gripen program
O is the result of an agreement signed in 2014 between the Brazilian government, at the time under the management of (PT), and Saab. Estimated at around US$4 billion and financed over 25 years, the contract proposes the acquisition of 36 aircraft, and includes the transfer of technology to the Brazilian Air Force and Embraer.
Saab trained more than 350 Brazilian professionals, including technicians, engineers and pilots, as part of the agreement. The measure seeks to guarantee Brazil autonomy to develop, produce and maintain supersonic fighters throughout the aircraft’s entire useful life, estimated at 30 to 40 years.
