Gripen to be inducted into Brazilian Air Force service on Dec. 19

Brazil is set to officially add the Saab Gripen NG, locally designated as F-39, to the combat fleet of its air force on Dec. 19.

The first of five F-39s, delivered from Sweden between December 2021 and April 2022, are now at Anapolis Air Base near the federal capital Brasilia. They were initially used for testing and training flying from Sao Paulo and other places.

Now the Gripens will become operational and officially part of 1st Aviation Group and tasked with the defense and control of air space over nearby Brasilia.

This milestone will also mark the beginning of the retirement of the around 45 F-5EMs in service with the Brazilian Air Force.

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