Brazil's Embraer rules out fighter jet push, backs Saab partnership
Brazil's Embraer rules out fighter jet push, backs Saab partnership By Gabriel Araujo
SAO JOSE DOS CAMPOS, Brazil, June 10 (Reuters) - Brazilian planemaker Embraer EMBJ3.SA has no plans to develop a fighter jet, CEO Francisco Gomes Neto told reporters on Wednesday, adding the company was satisfied with its partnership with Sweden's Saab SAABb.ST in the segment.
Embraer and Saab unveiled in March the first Gripen assembled at Embraer's Gaviao Peixoto plant as part of a contract with Brazil.
Gomes Neto said the plant could support production for new sales Saab eventually makes in South America and "maybe even in other countries, if they need additional capacity."
Brazil has expressed interest in purchasing 20 additional Gripen jets, according to Sweden.
Embraer focused on products such as military cargo jet C-390 Millennium and light attack aircraft Super Tucano.
Gomes Neto spoke after the collapse of a flagship Franco-German fighter jet project.
Fellow planemaker Airbus AIR.PA is increasingly looking to Saab as a preferred future partner, Reuters reported, citing sources.
(Reporting by Gabriel Araujo)
((Gabriel.Araujo2@thomsonreuters.com; +55 11 5047-3352;))