Saab North America, a US subsidiary of Swedish aerospace company Saab, has been served with a subpoena from the US Department of Justice (DoJ).
The subpoena requests information regarding the Brazilian government’s 2014 acquisition of 36 Gripen E/F fighter aircraft. In a statement released on October 10, 2024, Saab has stated its intention to fully cooperate with the DoJ and provide the information as requested.
The Brazilian fighter procurement process, known as the FX-2 program, was conducted between 2008 and 2014. Saab was awarded the $5.4 billion contract to supply 36 Gripen E/F fighters to the Brazilian Air Force (FAB), winning over competing bids from Boeing’s F-18 Super Hornet and Dassault Aviation’s Rafale. This deal also included a provision for future Gripen production in Brazil.
Previously, both Swedish and Brazilian authorities have investigated the procurement process. However, these investigations were closed without uncovering any evidence of wrongdoing by Saab.
In 2016, Brazilian prosecutors formally accused Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the former president of Brazil and its current sitting president, of using his influence to help Saab secure the tender. Lula’s legal team condemned these accusations as politically motivated.
The FAB stood by its decision despite the controversy, citing the Gripen as the best option to replace the 40 aging Northrop F-5 fighters, which currently make up the majority of its fighter fleet. Brazil ordered an additional four Gripen fighters in 2022.
The deliveries began in November 2021. The ‘Jaguar’ Squadron of the FAB’s 1st Air Defense Group currently operates nine F-39E single-seat fighters, and the remaining jets are expected to be delivered by 2027. In August 2023, the Brazilian government announced its plan to increase its Gripen fleet by placing an additional order for 34 F-39 Gripen fighters.