SÃO JOSÉ DOS CAMPOS, Brazil — Brazilian aerospace manufacturer Embraer expects to increase its final assembly workshare for Saab’s JAS 39 Gripen, in a bid to help meet climbing demand for the fighter jet, according to a company executive.
“Saab is a great partner of ours” and “we stand ready to support” the Swedish manufacturer, Marcio Monteiro, the chief marketing officer of Embraer’s defense division, told Breaking Defense in a June 11 interview.
“We are actually expecting that” more Gripen production will “be offloaded to us,” Monteiro added. “We hope that happens soon.”
Assembled by Embraer in Gavião Peixoto, the Gripen was originally selected by the Brazilian Air Force in 2014. Saab subsequently entered into a technology sharing agreement with Embraer, enabling Brasília to assemble some of its own Gripens domestically. In March, the first Brazilian-produced Gripen E rolled off Embraer’s line, the only assembly facility for the jet outside of Sweden.
The company is currently committed to deliver 15 Gripens for the Brazilian Air Force, Marcio noted. “But we do believe we can do more and help Saab meet their own demand.” (Like other outlets, Breaking Defense accepted accommodations from Embraer as part of a media tour of the company’s facilities.)
