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The Brazilian Air Force Accelerates The Arming Process Of The Gripen E/F Fighters. Goal Is To Enable Firing Of Meteor And Iris-T Missiles Still This Year. Today, Eight Operational Units Are Based In Anápolis (GO).
The skies of Brazil are about to gain more firepower. The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) wants to put its Gripen fighters in full combat mode by the end of 2025 — and this includes authorizing the use of supersonic missiles like the Meteor and the Iris-T.
The goal is ambitious, but on schedule according to the FAB, which already has eight operational Gripen E/F fighters at the Anápolis Air Force Base (GO). For now, the aircraft are still not authorized to fire their weapons, but the expectation is that this will change in the coming months with technical updates and new tests.
What Is Missing For The Gripen To Be “Ready”?
Although they have been declared operational since 2023, the Gripen still cannot use their cannon or launch missiles. This is because the FAB is still in the armament testing phase — which, by the way, is quite complex.
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With a mere 4.5 meters in length, a 6.4-meter wingspan, and a speed of 1,069 km/h, the XF-85 Goblin became the smallest jet fighter in the US. However, it flew for only 2 hours and 19 minutes before being canceled because it was almost impossible to re-dock it with the bomber that carried it at an altitude of 6,000 meters.
One of the reasons for the delay is the certification and integration process of ordnance into the aircraft’s software. According to the FAB, a critical system update is expected to arrive by April 2025. After that, the Meteor and Iris-T missiles should finally make their debut.
What Are These Missiles?
- Meteor: a long-range air-to-air missile developed in Europe, capable of hitting targets more than 100 km away. It is one of the most modern in the world.
- Iris-T: a short-range missile, extremely agile, ideal for close air combat and rapid maneuvers.
Both have already been tested on Gripen fighters in Europe — but in Brazil, real launches have not yet occurred.
Brazilian Training Takes Off From The Brazilian Air Force
The FAB is also accelerating the training of its pilots. In 2024, 14 aviators were qualified to operate the Gripen, and for the first time, one of them was trained entirely in Brazil. Previously, training occurred exclusively in Sweden.
The goal is to form new classes in the coming months, now with national infrastructure. This gives Brazil autonomy in both the operation and training of its next-generation air force.
Participations In Exercises And Performance
The Gripen participated in CRUZEX 2024, in Natal (RN), one of the largest simulated war exercises in South America. During the fictional combat, the Brazilian fighters faced F-15 aircraft from the USA and F-16 from Chile — and performed very well.
According to the Brazilian Air Force, seven out of eight fighters participated in the exercise, with 85% operational availability, a figure considered excellent for an aircraft in the initial phase of operation.
What Is Coming: More Fighters And National Manufacturing
In total, Brazil purchased 36 units of the Gripen, including eight two-seater units. Some are being assembled in Sweden, while others are in Brazil, as part of the technology transfer agreement with Saab. Companies like Embraer, AEL, and Akaer are participating in the project.
The first Gripen assembled in Brazil, in Gavião Peixoto (SP), is expected to fly in 2025. And discussions are ongoing to expand the fleet to up to 50 fighters in the future, though no official decision has been made yet.
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