The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) has mobilized units for the Salitre 2026 multinational exercise, a training event hosted by Chile. The deployment involves aircraft, including the F-39 Gripen and the KC-390, which recently conducted transit flights through Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, as part of their journey toward the international maneuvers.
The Salitre exercise is designed to enhance interoperability between the air forces of participating nations. The presence of the F-39 Gripen highlights the nation’s efforts to integrate technology into regional defense cooperation. The Força Aérea Brasileira confirms that these exercises are critical for maintaining pilot readiness and testing the capabilities of the KC-390.
Operational Logistics and Transit Training
The transit of these assets through Campo Grande functioned as a training opportunity for ground crews and logistics personnel. Reports indicate that the arrival of these aircraft drew significant public attention, as the fighters performed arrival procedures in the airspace above the city.
The F-39 Gripen represents a leap in Brazilian air superiority. The KC-390 provides the essential backbone for these deployments, demonstrating its versatility in tactical airlift and aerial refueling.
The Scope of the Salitre Multinational Exercise
Salitre brings together air forces to conduct “Combined Air Operations” (COMAO). These exercises are governed by international military protocols that emphasize safety and standardization in command and control.
The participation of the FAB in Salitre 2026 is part of a strategy to strengthen ties with the Chilean Air Force (FACh) and other regional allies. These exercises help standardize operational procedures. The complexity of the maneuvers—often involving mid-air refueling and electronic warfare simulations—requires months of planning and coordination between the participating nations’ general staffs.
Regional Impact and Community Visibility
The transit of military hardware through civilian-adjacent infrastructure often highlights the scale of national defense activities to the public. In Campo Grande, the presence of these aircraft was noted by local residents, who witnessed the tactical movements associated with the deployment.
The movement of the FAB fleet provides a rare opportunity for local populations to witness the operational reality of the Brazilian defense industry. The F-39 Gripen and the KC-390 are both central to Brazil’s current defense modernization efforts, and their deployment in a multinational environment serves as a demonstration of the country’s commitment to regional security.
What Happens Next
The Salitre 2026 exercise will proceed through its scheduled phases, concluding with a debriefing and analysis of the tactical outcomes achieved by the participating air forces. Military observers expect these results to influence future training doctrine and potential procurement requirements for the involved nations. The Brazilian Air Force is expected to provide a summary of the mission’s success following the return of its personnel and equipment to their home bases. Interested parties can monitor the progress of the exercise via official government portals and institutional statements from the participating ministries.
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