Planalto says that the production of the aircraft in national territory represents a milestone that places Brazil in ‘a select group of nations’
The first F-39E Gripen fighter produced in Brazil was presented this Wednesday (25) to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The christening ceremony of the supersonic aircraft, produced by Embraer and the Swedish company Saab, took place at the Embraer Aerodrome Gavião Peixoto Unit, in São Paulo.
According to Planalto, the production of the aircraft in national territory represents a milestone that inserts Brazil in “a select group of nations” with the capacity to develop and produce highly complex combat aircraft – something unprecedented in Latin America.
During a visit, Lula was also introduced to the eVTOL flying car. This prototype of a 100% electric aerial vehicle, which takes off and lands vertically, was developed by a subsidiary company of Embraer, Eve Air Mobility.
F-39 Gripen fighter
According to the Brazilian Air Force (FAB), the development of the F-39 Gripen fighter in Brazil will bring a series of advantages to the country.
It will strengthen air sovereignty, reducing dependence on foreign suppliers and boosting the Defense Industrial Base (BID), since the contract provides for technology transfer and qualification of Brazilian professionals
According to the FAB, many jobs will be created from this project that integrates the national industry into the global sector chain. The program has already generated more than 2 thousand direct jobs and around 10 thousand indirect jobs.
Innovation, technology and defense
Present at the event, vice-president Geraldo Alckmin recalled that the federal government made available, through the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (Bndes), R$108 billion for projects focused on innovation.
“Whoever dominates technology dominates the future”said Alckmin, who is also Minister of Development, Industry, Commerce and Services. “The defense industry is insurance for national sovereignty, in addition to being at the forefront of industrial development”, he added.
The Minister of Defense, José Múcio, highlighted, among the advantages of producing the fighter in Brazil, the access to cutting-edge technologies, which, according to him, positively impacts the national industry.
“By investing in defense, our industry registers a milestone of maturity and competence, allowing Brazil to position itself as the largest production hub in Latin America. It will also consolidate our deterrent power, expanding the capacity to guarantee national sovereignty and regional security”, said the minister.
New chapter in aviation
For the Air Force Commander, Air Lieutenant Brigadier Marcelo Damasceno, the delivery of the supersonic aircraft – “the most important in the history of national aviation” – represents a milestone.
According to him, this ceremonial baptism consolidates the transition from planning to executionas well as from expectations to reality, he said, remembering that, of the 36 aircraft acquired, 15 will be produced in Brazilian facilities, which will favor a production chain with high added value.
“We are fully capable of producing more Gripen aircraft in the national territory, since we already have a solid industrial and technological base, highly qualified human capital and, above all, the visionary capacity for entrepreneurship and innovation, typical of the Brazilian DNA”, he added.
President of the Republic, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, during the presentation ceremony of the first F-39 E Gripen Fighter assembled in Brazil, at the Embraer Aerodrome – Gavião Peixoto Unit – SP
*Brazil Agency
