MOSCOW, October 27 (RIA Novosti) – Swedish defense and security company Saab Group has signed a deal with the Brazilian government for the delivery of next-generation Gripen NG fighter aircraft to its Air Force, Saab announced in a press release Monday.
"We are proud to stand side-by-side with Brazil in this important programme. There is already a long and successful history of industrial co-operation between our two countries, and this historic agreement takes that partnership to a new level," Saab's board of directors chairman Marcus Wallenberg said in a statement published on the company's website.
Under the contract between Brazilian Defense Ministry, namely the Aeronautics Command (COMAER), and Sweden's Saab Group, a total of 36 aircraft, including 28 single-seat and eight two-seat planes, will be developed and produced by the Swedish company, the press release stated. The contract is estimated at SEK 39.3 billion ($5.4 billion).
The delivery of the aircraft will take place from 2019 through 2024.
According to the press release, Saab and COMAER also agreed on several cooperation projects, envisaging a 10-year technology transfer to Brazil's aerospace industry from the Swedish company. Under the plan, Brazil will play a part in aircraft development as well as in the production of the two-seat Gripen NG.
After Sweden, Brazil is the second launch customer for the Gripen NG aircraft.
According to Saab website information, Gripen aircraft are capable to fulfil various missions using the latest weapons including air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles, as well as perform reconnaissance operations. The aircraft are used in a number of countries worldwide, including Sweden, Czech Republic, Hungary, South Africa and Thailand. Gripen aircraft are also being used in Britain"s Empire Test Pilots" School (ETPS).
