Brazil has entered advanced talks with Sweden over the possible acquisition of up to 12 used Saab Gripen C/D fighters. The prospective purchase is being considered as a temporary fix to fill capability gaps as Brazil retires its aging F-5 Tiger II and AMX aircraft. Analysts note that the move recalls the Air Force’s past reliance on second-hand Mirage fighters, reflecting financial pressures that have slowed Brazil’s procurement of newer platforms.
The F-X2 program, intended to deliver state-of-the-art Gripen E/F models, has encountered multiple budget-driven setbacks. To maintain readiness in the face of these delays, officials view the C/D variant purchase as a practical measure, even if it falls short of long-term modernization goals. This strategy is seen as essential for ensuring Brazil’s ability to uphold national air defense during the transition period.
The negotiations gained visibility after Air Force Commander Lieutenant Brigadier Marcelo Kanitz Damasceno traveled to Stockholm in September 2025. There, he met Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson, and both sides signed a declaration affirming closer defense cooperation between the two countries.
While the joint statement emphasized Sweden’s procurement of four KC-390 transport aircraft from Brazil, it avoided specific references to the Gripen talks. Official comments from Saab, Brazil, and Sweden remain limited, suggesting that discussions are ongoing behind closed doors as both parties evaluate the terms and strategic implications of the deal.
