Saab presented the first Gripen F, the two-seat version of its Gripen E series, for the Brazilian Air Force during a rollout ceremony at its facility in Linköping, Sweden, on June 2, 2026. Brazil is the launch customer for the variant and helped co-develop it.
A two-seater built around training
The Gripen F combines conversion training and combat capability on a single platform, Saab said. The company describes it as designed for the training and operational requirements of modern air forces, keeping the performance, sensors, and architecture of the single-seat Gripen E while adding a second cockpit.
According to Saab, that second cockpit is fully independent, letting an instructor guide missions aboard a fully operational fighter and giving trainee pilots live mission conditions. The manufacturer argues this can sharply shorten pilot conversion and preparatory training, while supporting a shared crew workload in higher-threat environments.
The rollout follows the March 25, 2026 presentation of the first Gripen E assembled in Brazil, at Embraer’s plant in Gavião Peixoto.
Brazil’s role in development
As launch customer, Brazil took an active part in co-developing the two-seater, which Saab says enabled direct industrial participation and long-term cooperation. Through a transfer-of-technology program, the company said Brazil has trained hundreds of engineers and technicians and strengthened design and development expertise within its industrial base.
“The rollout of Gripen F represents a shared achievement between Saab, Brazilian industry and the Brazilian Air Force,” said Lars Tossman, head of Saab’s Aeronautics business area. He said developing the aircraft together demonstrated the maturity of the collaboration.
Before delivery to the Brazilian Air Force, the aircraft will move to Saab’s Flight Test Centre in Sweden for a dedicated flight test campaign.
Contract and export orders
Brazil’s 2014 contract covers 36 aircraft, 28 Gripen E and eight Gripen F. Deliveries began in 2020, and 11 of the 36 have been handed over.
Saab has also booked Gripen F orders elsewhere. Thailand signed for four Gripen E/F, one of them an F, in August 2025, and Colombia ordered 17 Gripen E/F, including two F models, in November 2025.