The fighters, manufactured by SAAB, left Sweden in mid-April and arrived in Brazil this Friday (05/05)
CECOMSAER, by Lieutenant Letícia Faria
Two more units of the Brazilian Air Force’s (FAB) F-39E Gripen fighter planes arrived in Brazil this Friday (05/05), expanding the fleet of standard models, as well as the capacity to defend and guarantee the sovereignty of the country’s air space and its borders. The planes were transported by ship from Sweden to the Port of Navegantes, in Santa Catarina (SC), from where they were removed and, at dawn this Saturday (05/06), towed to the Minister Victor Konder Airport of Navegantes.
FAB military personnel were involved in the move, as well as the Santa Catarina Military Police (PMSC), the Navegantes Municipal Guard, and the Santa Catarina Fire Department (CBMSC). The operation also had the participation of the Santa Catarina Civil Police (PCSC), the Navegantes City Hall, the Municipal Surveillance and Traffic Foundation (NAVETRAN), and the Federal Revenue Service.
With the arrival of the new units, with registration numbers FAB 4105 and FAB 4106, the Air Force will now have six F-39 Gripen aircraft, part of the collection of the First Air Defense Group (1º GDA) – Jaguar Squadron, located at Anápolis Air Base (BAAN), in Goiás (GO).
Navegantes Operation
After arriving at Navegantes Airport, the aircraft were parked in the hangar. During the weekend they will go through technical procedures, besides receiving the installation of ejection seats and the survival kit, as well as the preparation for fueling and ground start. There is still no confirmed date for the aircraft to take off.
The Coordinator of Navegantes Operation, Aviator Colonel Leandro Barbosa Ferreira Pinto, explains about the dynamics of the mission. “The arrival of two more F-39 Gripen aircraft on Brazilian soil represents the continuity of a joint effort for the Air Defense of our country, and is a source of pride for all the members of this Operation”, highlights the Officer.
Teams from the Combat Aircraft Program Coordinating Commission (COPAC), the Preparations Command (COMPREP), the Air Force Logistics Transportation Center (CTLA), the Air Force Intelligence Center (CIAER), the Aeronautical Accidents Investigation and Prevention Center (CENIPA) and Saab, the company that develops the Gripen, are participating in Operation Navegantes.
F-39 Gripen E
Gripen is recognized for its efficiency, low operating costs, high availability and advanced technological capabilities. The new fighter jet will also be used by the Swedish Air Force, as the vector responsible for the sovereignty and protection of these nations.
In Brazil, the entry into service means an important qualitative and technological leap, with some of the on-board resources being unprecedented for the FAB. The Brazilian Air Force is a pioneer in operating the Gripen, developed jointly by Brazil and Sweden.
Photos: Lieutenant Letícia Faria / CECOMSAER and Portonave