First Brazil‑built Gripen E completes maiden flight in São Paulo

The first Brazil‑built Gripen E performed its maiden flight from Embraer’s industrial complex in Gavião Peixoto, São Paulo, piloted by a Saab test pilot to verify performance and flight characteristics.

The aircraft is the first of 15 units planned for production in Brazil under the current program, which stems from a 2014 contract covering 36 Gripen aircraft (28 single‑seat Gripen E and eight two‑seat Gripen F); after production flight‑testing, it will be transferred to Anápolis Air Base in Goiás State to join the First Air Defense Group.