Analysis: Why Swedish Gripen Fighter Jet from SAAB is Conquering South America.

Saab’s Gripen E fighter jet recently took the spotlight at CRUZEX 2024, Latin America’s largest multinational training exercise, hosted by the Brazilian Air Force. Saab’s November 4, 2024 announcement marked the Gripen’s first participation in this major exercise, reflecting its growing popularity in South America. With strategic appeal for countries facing budget constraints, unique defense needs, and industrial development ambitions, the Gripen has emerged as a preferred choice in the region. Furthermore, according to Swedish media, Saab recently secured a new contract with Colombia, further strengthening its presence.

Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

The Gripen is a versatile multirole fighter. (Picture source: SAAB)

CRUZEX 2024, hosted at Brazil’s Natal Air Base, involves over two thousand military personnel from Brazil and 15 other countries across Latin America, Africa, Europe, and the United States. Running from November 3 to 15, this edition features over 100 combat aircraft and serves as the Gripen’s introduction to complex multinational scenarios. Saab CEO Micael Johansson expressed pride in the Gripen E’s debut, underscoring its importance to the Brazilian Air Force and its value as a strategic partner.

In this exercise, the F-39E Gripen is taking on both offensive and defensive roles within Composite Air Operations (COMAO), where multiple aircraft work together to maximize mission effectiveness against enemy defenses. As Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Lincoln Santos Fórneas, commander of Brazil’s 1st Air Defense Group, explained, the Gripen’s role at CRUZEX includes both Offensive Counter-Air and Defensive Counter-Air missions to protect allied forces and defend against enemy incursions.

In operation with the Brazilian Air Force since December 2022, the F-39E Gripen features advanced technology, including the Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar and Infra-Red Search and Track (IRST) sensor, new additions to FAB’s capabilities. With cutting-edge systems for communication, navigation, and electronic warfare, the Gripen E is a strategic asset for Brazil, supporting national airspace defense with high maneuverability and advanced targeting.

Designed as a versatile multirole fighter, the Gripen balances operational performance with adaptability to meet today’s defense demands. Since its introduction in 1996, the aircraft has been continually updated to meet evolving standards. Currently, Saab has delivered over 180 units out of 306 ordered globally, with Sweden and Brazil as principal users.

Powered by the General Electric F414 engine, the Gripen E achieves a thrust of 98 kN, boosting maneuverability and speed, with a cruise speed reaching Mach 1.2 and a top speed of Mach 2. With a wingspan of 8.6 meters, a length of 14.1 meters, and an empty weight of 6,990 kg, the Gripen E carries up to 16,500 kg, including fuel and weaponry, allowing it to operate across vast distances with extended endurance.

Its weaponry includes an internal 27 mm cannon and eight external hardpoints supporting up to 5,300 kg of munitions, adapting to diverse mission profiles. With two missile rails on its wingtips, the Gripen E maximizes its strike capabilities, making it a robust choice for air superiority and ground attack.

CRUZEX 2024 features over 100 combat aircraft and serves as Gripen’s introduction to complex multinational scenarios. (Picture source: SAAB)

The Gripen’s success in South America, particularly in Brazil, demonstrates Saab’s effective strategy to capture a rapidly growing market. Several factors account for why the Gripen has become a top choice in the region, where budgetary constraints, specific strategic needs, and industrial growth potential converge.

South America’s varied geography and infrastructure demand an aircraft capable of maneuvering on shorter or less equipped runways, often outside urban areas. The Gripen E, with its ability to take off and land on short, unprepared airstrips, meets these needs, making it highly suitable for the requirements of South American air forces, where versatile operational capabilities are essential.

For many South American air forces with tight defense budgets, cost-effectiveness is paramount. Saab has designed the Gripen to provide excellent value compared to other multirole fighters such as the F-16 and Rafale. In addition to its lower purchase price, the Gripen’s maintenance requirements are streamlined, reducing operational expenses. This economic efficiency allows countries to allocate resources to other strategic areas without compromising air defense capabilities.

A crucial factor in the Gripen’s South American success is Saab’s commitment to technology transfer, fostering domestic industry capabilities. In Brazil, Saab has established partnerships with local companies, driving skills transfer, and job creation in the aviation sector. Partial local production of the Gripen has reduced Brazil’s reliance on imports and stimulated its defense industry, providing autonomy in manufacturing and maintenance and appealing to governments prioritizing technological sovereignty.

South America’s defense needs are varied, from air defense to countering asymmetric threats. The multirole Gripen E/F addresses these needs by performing air defense, ground attack, reconnaissance, and even maritime support. This versatility allows air forces to standardize their fleets with a single, multifunctional model, simplifying logistics and cutting training costs.

Equipped with a state-of-the-art AESA radar, IRST sensor, and advanced electronic warfare systems, the Gripen E competes with newer-generation fighters. These technologies provide tactical advantages and enhanced interoperability, crucial for South American nations like Brazil seeking active roles in multinational operations. The Gripen’s compatibility with NATO standards further enhances joint operations with allied forces.

Saab benefits from Sweden’s neutral diplomatic stance, allowing Gripen sales without the geopolitical complexities sometimes associated with U.S. or Russian equipment. Sweden’s neutrality is perceived as a stability factor, reducing the risk of political pressures that could affect long-term support, and making the Gripen a reliable option for South American buyers.

The Gripen’s success in South America, especially in Brazil, results from a blend of economic, technological, and diplomatic strengths that make it a strategic choice for the region’s air forces. Saab’s approach integrates technology transfer, reduced operational costs, and alignment with local conditions, presenting the Gripen as a balanced solution. For South American nations, the Gripen offers a pathway to modernize their defense capabilities while fostering technological and industrial independence.

The Gripen is a aircraft fighter designed in Sweden. (Picture source: SAAB)