The first Saab Gripen E fighter aircraft assembled outside of Sweden completed its maiden flight on October 6, 2026, at Embraer’s industrial complex in Gavião Peixoto, Brazil.

The successful flight validates a decade-long technology transfer program between Saab AB and Embraer S.A., establishing the only active supersonic fighter production line in South America. Embraer announced the milestone in a press release on October 7, 2026, marking a critical step toward delivering the locally produced aircraft to the Brazilian Air Force (FAB).

Validating the technology transfer program

The maiden flight took place at 10:21 local time, piloted by Saab Chief Test Pilot Jakob Högberg. The event serves as the primary physical validation of the industrial partnership between the Swedish aerospace company and its Brazilian counterpart. Under the agreement, Embraer engineers and technicians received extensive training at Saab’s facilities in Linköping, Sweden, before returning to establish the parallel production line in São Paulo state.

Bosco da Costa Junior, President & CEO of Embraer Defense & Security, described the flight as a historic milestone for the country’s aerospace sector that confirms the success of the long-term strategy combining FAB’s vision, Saab’s technological expertise, and Embraer’s industrial capabilities.

“More than an achievement for the Gripen Program, this milestone demonstrates that the competencies developed over the years have become real and proven industrial capabilities in Brazil, strengthening our Defense Industrial Base and our ability to participate in highly complex global defense programs.”

Marcus Wandt, Head of Saab’s Business Area Aeronautics, noted that the maiden flight proves the Brazilian production line has reached a new level of maturity, establishing a solid foundation for the fighter’s future development in the region.

Building South America’s supersonic production base

The Brazilian Gripen Program, known as FX-2, originated with a 2014 contract in which the Brazilian government ordered 36 aircraft. The order comprises 28 single-seat Gripen E models and eight two-seat Gripen F models. The Brazilian Air Forces designates the aircraft as the F-39E and F-39F.

While the initial aircraft were manufactured entirely in Sweden, the contract mandated a comprehensive technology transfer to build long-term national competencies in Brazil. Embraer inaugurated the Gripen E final assembly line at Gavião Peixoto on May 9, 2023. The facility officially unveiled the first locally assembled airframe on March 25, 2026. Of the 36 aircraft in the initial order, 15 are planned for production at the Brazilian facility.

The Brazilian Air Force already operates the type. The Gripen E entered operational service with the First Air Defense Group (1st GDA) at Anápolis Air Base on December 19, 2022. Prior to this new locally built delivery, the 1st GDA operated 10 Gripen E fighters manufactured in Sweden. Following the completion of its flight-test campaign, this newly flown aircraft will be transferred to Goiás State to join the active fleet.

Expanding the Saab and Embraer partnership

The maiden flight in Brazil follows closely behind another major program milestone. On August 28, 2026, the two-seat Gripen F variant completed its own maiden flight in Linköping. Brazil serves as the launch customer for the F model, which was developed jointly by Saab and Embraer engineers.

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The industrial footprint at Gavião Peixoto may expand beyond the initial 15 airframes. In July 2026, Embraer and Saab signed a Heads of Agreement to deepen their cooperation. The agreement contemplates the potential production of 20 additional Gripen aircraft in Latin America, allowing the Swedish manufacturer to offer regional assembly and technology transfer as part of future export packages.

AirPro News analysis

We assess that the successful local production of the Gripen E fundamentally shifts Embraer’s position in the global defense market. By proving its ability to assemble a modern supersonic fighter, the Brazilian manufacturer not only secures its domestic defense industrial base but also creates a viable second export hub for Saab. This dual-production strategy could prove critical if Saab secures further orders in Latin America, allowing the Swedish manufacturer to offer regional assembly and technology transfer as part of future export packages.

For Embraer, the Gripen production line complements its success with the C-390 Millennium transport aircraft. Operating a live fighter production line elevates the company’s technical credentials when bidding for complex international defense contracts, proving that its engineering workforce can absorb and execute highly classified, third-party intellectual property at scale.

BAE Systems has secured a contract from Lockheed Martin to manufacture the AN/ASQ-239 electronic warfare suite for Lots 20 through 22 of the F-35 Lightning II program, sustaining production of the fighter’s critical electromagnetic defense capabilities.

The agreement, announced in an October 6, 2026 press release, ensures both new-build aircraft and retrofitted jets will receive the advanced systems required to detect, jam, and counter threats in contested airspace. Neither BAE Systems nor Lockheed Martin disclosed the financial value of the Lots 20-22 order.

Sustaining the F-35’s electromagnetic defenses

The AN/ASQ-239 is the built-in electronic warfare (EW) suite for the F-35 Lightning II. The system provides 360-degree situational awareness, radar warning, targeting support, and self-protection capabilities. It is designed to detect and geolocate electronic emitters, allowing the aircraft to evade, engage, counter, or jam threats.

Amber Dolan, Vice President of F-35 Solutions at BAE Systems, stated that the company has continuously evolved its EW hardware and software to maintain a decisive battlespace advantage for operators.

“We’re laser-focused on scaling production and delivering software-based capabilities to meet the rapid pace of conflict,” Dolan said.

Manufacturing for the Lots 20-22 contract will take place at BAE Systems facilities in Austin, Texas, and the New Hampshire cities of Manchester, Merrimack, and Nashua.

The Block 4 modernization context

The F-35 program is currently undergoing a major modernization effort known as Block 4, which relies heavily on upgraded electronic warfare capabilities and new processors under the Technology Refresh 3 (TR-3) initiative.

The EW upgrade has been described as the centerpiece of the Block 4 improvements, designed to outpace emerging threats and provide more powerful signal processing. On December 15, 2021, BAE Systems received a $493 million contract to upgrade the F-35’s EW system specifically for the Block 4 modernization program.

The F-35 serves as the primary fifth-generation fighter for the US Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps, alongside numerous allied nations. The EW suite is critical for the aircraft’s survivability in contested environments against modern integrated air defense systems, enemy fighters, and missiles.

BAE Systems’ footprint in the program

BAE Systems has supplied the EW suite for every F-35 built, delivering over 1,500 units to date.

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The British multinational defense, security, and aerospace company employs over 110,000 people globally and operates across air, land, sea, space, and cyber domains. Its US subsidiary, BAE Systems, Inc., is headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia.

AirPro News analysis

We view the continuation of the AN/ASQ-239 production through Lots 20-22 as a critical stabilizing factor for the broader F-35 supply chain. While the financial terms of this specific lot order remain undisclosed, the electronic warfare suite represents the core of the aircraft’s survivability and lethality upgrades under the Block 4 framework. As global threat environments become increasingly contested by advanced integrated air defense systems, the ability of BAE Systems to scale production across its Texas and New Hampshire facilities will be a key metric in meeting the operational demands of the Air Forces and its international partners.

Lockheed Martin completed the first test flight of a Royal Moroccan Air Force (RMAF) F-16 Block 72 aircraft on October 6, 2026, at the manufacturer’s facility in Greenville, South Carolina.

The flight initiates the formal testing phase for the North African nation’s new fighter fleet before official deliveries begin. In a press release announcing the milestone, Lockheed Martin highlighted Morocco’s position as the launch customer for the Block 72 configuration, a variant distinguished by its Pratt & Whitney engines and advanced avionics.

Commencing the flight-test phase

The inaugural flight marks a critical step toward delivering the most advanced F-16 variant to the RMAF. According to reporting by aviation publication The War Zone, the specific aircraft flown in South Carolina was a two-seat F-16D model, and the test pilot utilized a Digital Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (D-JHMCS). Lockheed Martin will now put the aircraft through a comprehensive flight-testing program before the first official handover.

Mike Shoemaker, Vice President and General Manager of Lockheed Martin’s Integrated Fighter Group, stated that the flight reflects meaningful progress on the program and serves as a critical step in strengthening the future airpower of the RMAF.

“The F-16 remains a vital component of today’s and future air defense, and we’re proud of the role it will continue to play in supporting Morocco’s sovereignty and contributing to regional stability for decades to come,” Shoemaker said.

Morocco’s fighter fleet modernization

The U.S. State Department and the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) formally approved the foreign military sale of 25 F-16C/D Block 72 aircraft to Morocco on March 25, 2019. The DSCA estimated the value of the procurement package at $3.787 billion.

The Block 72 configuration introduces several fifth-generation capabilities to the fourth-generation airframe. Key upgrades include the Northrop Grumman AN/APG-83 Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR), modernized mission computers, updated avionics, and Pratt & Whitney F100-229 engines. The acquisition is designed to improve interoperability with the United States and other regional allies during coalition operations.

The procurement of new airframes is part of a broader recapitalization effort for the RMAF, which currently operates a mixed fleet of F-16s, C-130s, advanced radar systems, and UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopters. Concurrently with the 2019 Block 72 approval, the U.S. government cleared a $985 million upgrade package for Morocco’s existing fleet of 23 F-16 Block 52+ aircraft, bringing them up to the advanced F-16V standard, according to Defense News.

Expanding domestic maintenance capabilities

Alongside the aircraft procurement, Lockheed Martin is actively expanding its industrial footprint in Morocco to support the RMAF fleet locally. The defense contractor has partnered with Maintenance Aero Maroc to develop an 8,000-square-meter Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Benslimane.

The Benslimane facility will initially focus on heavy maintenance for the RMAF’s C-130 Hercules transport aircraft. Lockheed Martin delivered its first C-130H to Morocco in 1974. The company plans to eventually expand the facility’s capabilities to service the incoming F-16 Block 72 fleet, supporting the Moroccan government’s objective of establishing a regional aerospace hub.

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AirPro News analysis

Morocco’s position as the launch customer for the Block 72 and its concurrent fleet upgrades demonstrate a clear strategic alignment with United States defense architecture. By establishing domestic MRO capabilities alongside the acquisition of advanced platforms like the Block 72 and the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), the Royal Moroccan Air Forces is building a self-sustaining operational framework. This reduces reliance on foreign maintenance facilities and positions the country as a highly interoperable coalition partner in Africa.