Brazil's first locally built Gripen E completes inaugural flight

The first Gripen E fighter produced in Brazil by Embraer made its inaugural flight on 7 November, piloted by a Saab test pilot, with Embraer involved in preparing and executing the flight.

The aircraft is the first of fifteen Gripen E units planned for Brazilian production, was officially presented at the end of March, and forms part of a strategy by the Brazilian Air Force and Saab to boost national industry participation through technology transfer and industrial competency development; after the production acceptance flight campaign, the Gripen E will be certified and delivered to the Brazilian Air Force.