Brazil has made a significant advancement in its air defense capabilities by successfully firing the Meteor beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile from its Gripen E fighter aircraft for the first time. This achievement underscores Brazil’s commitment to enhancing its regional deterrence capabilities.
During the BVR-X Technical Exercise held in November at Natal Air Base in Rio Grande do Norte, four Gripen E fighters participated in the test, during which at least two Meteor missiles were launched and successfully struck their designated targets, as reported by Saab in December. The exercise employed two maneuverable Mirach 100/5 drones designed to simulate the speed and altitude profiles of modern fighter aircraft, providing a challenging environment for the missile tests.
Collaboration was key to this success, involving the Brazilian Air Force (FAB), Gripen E manufacturer Saab, and the Meteor missile producer MBDA. Saab Brasil’s Managing Director, Peter Dölling, stated that this milestone positions Brazil among a select group of nations with access to cutting-edge air combat technology, highlighting the strategic implications of the test.
Air Major General Breno Diogenes Gonçalves, Commander of Natal Air Base and Director of the Technical Exercise, emphasized the importance of the test in expanding the capabilities of the F-39E Gripen. He remarked that the combination of the Gripen and Meteor not only boosts Brazil’s combat power but also strengthens the deterrence capabilities vital for the Brazilian Air Force and the nation itself.
The Gripen E, known in Brazil as the F‑39E/F, is the FAB’s most advanced fighter, with its first aircraft being accepted into service in 2022. It features sophisticated technology such as an AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar and a diverse arsenal that includes the IRIS‑T short-range missiles alongside the Meteor long-range missiles. Brazil’s order of 36 Gripen fighters was placed in 2013, and in 2023, the country inaugurated its first Gripen E production line outside Sweden at Embraer’s Gavião Peixoto facility.
The Meteor missile, developed through a collaborative effort by six European nations led by MBDA, exemplifies modern air-to-air weaponry. It is equipped with an active radar seeker and ramjet propulsion, allowing it to maintain high energy throughout its flight towards targets. This capacity creates an extensive no-escape zone compared to similar systems, enabling it to effectively engage a wide array of targets, from fast jets to drones, regardless of the time of day, weather conditions, or the presence of electronic warfare environments.
Overall, this successful test marks a crucial step forward in Brazil’s military capabilities and highlights the nation’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its air defense infrastructure.
