The Brazilian Senate has given the green light today (5th) to the credit operation that will allow the country to purchase the Swedish Gripen combat aircrafts. The closing of negotiations with Sweden for the aircrafts’ acquisition was announced last week by the Brazilian Minister of Defense, Jaques Wagner.

The approved amount for the loan is up to US$ 245.325.000 – over 850 reais, plus 39.882.335.471 Swedish kronor, amounting to almost 16 billion reais.

These resources will pay for the F-X2 program, which comprises aircraft purchase, logistic support and acquiring the weapons necessary for the fighter to operate. The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) will receive 36 units of the Gripen NG, manufactured by Swedish company Saab.

The first aircraft will be delivered to the Air Force in 2019, and the last one by 2024. The credit operation will be established between the Brazilian government and the Swedish Export Credit Corporation (Svensk Exportkredit or SEK).

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