Saab and Embraer have formally announced the signing of a Heads of Agreement (HoA), establishing a framework for the potential production of 20 additional Gripen aircraft at Embraer’s industrial complex in Gavião Peixoto, São Paulo, Brazil. Under this agreement, Embraer will oversee the assembly of the aircraft, complementing Saab’s existing final assembly line in Linköping, Sweden, to respond to global demand for the Gripen fighter.
This agreement marks a significant milestone in the ongoing partnership between the two companies, which has spanned over a decade, and enhances delivery capacity within a globally integrated manufacturing model while offering increased flexibility to address future customer needs.
“The partnership between Saab and Embraer reinforces our long-term commitment to Latin America. Together, we are strengthening our capabilities, securing additional capacity for future business opportunities, and taking a proactive approach to support the evolving needs of our customers across the region,” stated Micael Johansson, President and CEO of Saab.
“The expansion of this partnership with Saab reflects the mutual trust built over the past ten years and reinforces Embraer’s strategic role in the Gripen program. We are well positioned to support increased production capacity, should demand require it,” commented Bosco da Costa Junior, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security.
Embraer’s Gavião Peixoto facility has become a notable industrial hub, recognized for its advanced manufacturing capabilities, skilled workforce, and production capacity. Operating as an integral part of a globally integrated production model that includes Brazilian and international suppliers, the site showcases the strength of this partnership while boosting industrial output and fostering growth in high-technology aerospace initiatives.
The collaboration between Saab and Embraer exemplifies a strong partnership characterized by innovation, industrial development, and knowledge sharing. Through extensive technology transfer and on-the-job training under the current Gripen program for the Brazilian Air Force (FAB), personnel including engineers, test pilots, technicians, assembly operators, and maintenance specialists have been trained in Sweden. This cooperation has enhanced expertise and optimized best practices on both sides, yielding lasting benefits for both companies and contributing to the advancement of industrial capabilities and long-term growth opportunities.
