Saab’s Gripen F multirole fighter, jointly developed with Brazil, has successfully completed its maiden flight from the company’s airfield in Linköping, Sweden.
The inaugural sortie was conducted under the supervision of Saab Chief Test Pilot Jakob Högberg and Brazilian Air Force test pilot Lieutenant Colonel Aviator Abdon de Rezende Vasconcelos. The aircraft remained airborne for approximately 40 minutes, allowing the team to assess its core systems and initial flight performance.
The milestone comes roughly two months after Saab unveiled the first Gripen F aircraft in early June.
**Next Stage of Flight Testing**
Following its maiden flight, the Gripen F program will enter a progressive flight-envelope expansion phase. Testing will gradually evaluate and certify the aircraft’s performance across parameters including speed, altitude, G-load limits, and angle of attack.
Future trials will also focus on assessing the fighter’s tactical capabilities and the functionality of its rear cockpit, which is a key feature of the two-seat configuration.
**Gripen F Program**
Saab and Brazil signed an agreement in 2014 for the joint development and production of 36 Gripen fighters. The order includes 28 single-seat Gripen E aircraft and eight two-seat Gripen F variants.
Brazil unveiled its first domestically produced Gripen E in March 2026. Three months later, the country indicated interest in acquiring an additional 20 Gripen fighters, which could also be manufactured locally.
The Gripen F has been designed to enhance pilot training while retaining the advanced operational capabilities of the Gripen E. It shares the same core mission systems and performance characteristics as the single-seat variant but incorporates a second cockpit for an instructor or trainee pilot.
Beyond Brazil, the Swedish-Brazilian Gripen platform has also attracted international customers, with Colombia and Thailand placing orders for the aircraft.
