The American subsidiary of Saab, Saab North America, was subpoenaed by the US Department of Justice to provide information about the contract to purchase 36 fighter jets Gripen E/F by Brazil in 2014. In a note dated October 10, 2024, the company guaranteed its full cooperation with the DoJ and stated that it will provide the required data.
The FX-2 program, which coordinated the acquisition of new fighters for Brazil, ran from 2008 to 2014. Saab was chosen to supply 36 fighters Gripen E/F to the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) for US$5,4 billion, suring the F-18 Super Hornet competitors Boeing e Flurry da Dassault Aviation. The contract included a forecast for future production of Gripen on Brazilian soil.
Investigations conducted by Swedish and Brazilian authorities into the acquisition of the fighter jets were concluded without finding any irregularities involving the Saab, since, in 2016, Brazilian prosecutors accused the current (and also at the time) president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of using his influence to favor the Saab in the bidding process.
However, his legal team has called these allegations politically motivated.
Despite the controversy, the FAB maintained its choice, highlighting the Gripen as the most suitable option to replace the 40 old fighters Northrop F-5s, which still make up the bulk of its fleet. In 2022, Brazil placed a new order for four more fighters Gripen.
Deliveries of the fighters have been ongoing since November 2021. The 'Jaguar' Squadron of the FAB's 1st Air Defense Group has nine single-seat F-39Es, and the remaining deliveries are scheduled to be completed by 2027. In August 2023, the Brazilian government announced a request for the acquisition of 34 fighters. Gripen F-39.
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