Brazilian Gripen E fighters participate in first multinational exercise outside Brazil
Six Brazilian Air Force F-39E Gripen fighters participated in the multinational exercise SALITRE 2026 in Chile. This marked the aircraft's first participation in an international operation outside Brazil.
Six F-39E Gripen aircraft from the Brazilian Air Force have participated in the multinational, multidomain exercise SALITRE 2026 held in Chile. This event signifies the aircraft's initial involvement in an international operation conducted outside of Brazil.
The exercise, based at Cerro Moreno Air Base in Antofagasta, Chile, saw the six Brazilian fighters engaged in air defense, escort, and patrol missions. They operated alongside aircraft from five other nations, contributing to the overall operational objectives.
SALITRE 2026 gathered more than 1,500 military personnel and approximately 60 aircraft from participating countries, including Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, and the United States, in addition to Brazil. The combined forces completed over 250 flight hours across various mission profiles.
The exercise aimed to enhance interoperability and readiness among allied forces for complex, multidomain operations. The participation of the Gripen E, developed by Saab, provides valuable real-world operational experience and demonstrates its capabilities in a multinational environment.