Several Brazilian media outlets reported that Saab is expected to unveil the first two-seat Gripen fighter built for the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) during a ceremony scheduled this week in Linköping, Sweden.
The aircraft is reportedly the first production Gripen F, designated F-39F by the FAB, and represents a variant developed specifically to meet Brazilian requirements under the country’s Gripen acquisition program.
Neither Saab nor the Brazilian Air Force had officially confirmed the event at the time of publication.
Brazil has ordered 36 Gripen fighters, comprising 28 single-seat Gripen E aircraft and eight two-seat Gripen F variants.
Unlike the Gripen E, the F-39F features a second cockpit positioned behind the pilot. The additional crew member can serve as a weapons systems officer during complex missions or as an instructor during training flights.
The two-seat version was developed largely because of Brazil’s requirements. Sweden did not initially plan to introduce a two-seat variant of the Gripen E, relying instead on older Gripen D aircraft for training duties.
According to information published by Brazilian media, the F-39F is approximately 70 cm longer than the single-seat version and does not carry the internal 27 mm cannon fitted to the Gripen E because of structural changes required to accommodate the second cockpit.
Brazil is expected to become the launch operator of the variant, with eight aircraft on order. Future operators could include Colombia, which selected the Gripen earlier this year, while Thailand has also chosen the Swedish fighter for its future combat aircraft fleet.
Reports indicate the first F-39F could be shipped to Brazil later this month and delivered through the port of Navegantes before entering the final acceptance process with the Brazilian Air Force.
