Brazil to buy more Gripen fighters, according to FAB Commander
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| Brazilian Air Force F-39 Gripen multirole combat aircraft. |
The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) celebrated Fighter Aviation Day on Friday at the Santa Cruz Air Base in Rio de Janeiro. The ceremony marked the delivery of the "Mérito Operacional Brigadeiro Nero Moura" medal (recognition medal for the work done by the commanders) and the induction of the two F-39 Gripen aircraft, recently arrived in Brazil.
The event was attended by the President of the Republic, Jair Messias Bolsonaro and by the Commander of the Air Force, Brigadier Lieutenant Carlos de Almeida Baptista Junior, who were welcomed by the Commander of the Santa Cruz Air Base, Colonel Alessandro Barbosa Arrais de Oliveira.
During the ceremony, the F-39 Gripen FAB 4101 and FAB 4102 fighters received their operational baptism which officially marked the introduction of the type in Brazilian Fighter Aviation. The two series multi-role aircraft arrived in Brazil on 1 April 2022.
The event was attended by the President of the Republic, Jair Messias Bolsonaro and by the Commander of the Air Force, Brigadier Lieutenant Carlos de Almeida Baptista Junior, who were welcomed by the Commander of the Santa Cruz Air Base, Colonel Alessandro Barbosa Arrais de Oliveira.
During the ceremony, the F-39 Gripen FAB 4101 and FAB 4102 fighters received their operational baptism which officially marked the introduction of the type in Brazilian Fighter Aviation. The two series multi-role aircraft arrived in Brazil on 1 April 2022.
The key moment was the speech by Carlos de Almeida Baptista Junior who announced the acquisition of further F-39 Gripen jets for the FAB.
"I would like to thank the President of the Republic, Jair Messias Bolsonaro, for the authorization to modify the purchase contract for the F-39 Gripens with the addition of four more aircraft that will allow to start studies for the implementation of these platforms and another air base," he said.
According to the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Brigadier Lieutenant Sergio Roberto de Almeida, the introduction of the F-39 Gripen marks the beginning of a new era for Brazilian aviation.
"Since its inception, the Brazilian combat aviation has been of the highest level, but due to subsequent difficulties we have no longer been able to maintain the same level as the other air forces. With the introduction of Gripen we're back to being on par with the best air forces in the world, we're back to modernity," he said.
The ceremony also included some flyovers by a formation of F-39 Gripen, F-5 Tiger and A-29 Super Tucano aircraft as well as a simulated attack on the base.
"I would like to thank the President of the Republic, Jair Messias Bolsonaro, for the authorization to modify the purchase contract for the F-39 Gripens with the addition of four more aircraft that will allow to start studies for the implementation of these platforms and another air base," he said.
According to the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Brigadier Lieutenant Sergio Roberto de Almeida, the introduction of the F-39 Gripen marks the beginning of a new era for Brazilian aviation.
"Since its inception, the Brazilian combat aviation has been of the highest level, but due to subsequent difficulties we have no longer been able to maintain the same level as the other air forces. With the introduction of Gripen we're back to being on par with the best air forces in the world, we're back to modernity," he said.
The ceremony also included some flyovers by a formation of F-39 Gripen, F-5 Tiger and A-29 Super Tucano aircraft as well as a simulated attack on the base.
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Written by Matteo Sanzani
Source: Brazilian Air Force
Images: Brazilian Air Force, Saab
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