Brazilian Air Force says R$ 1.45 billion 2026 Budget freeze threatens operations

The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) has told the Ministry of Defence that the R$ 1.45 billion freeze in the 2026 Budget is seriously undermining its operational capacity and could prevent aircraft currently in service from being maintained through to the end of the year. The information appears in an official document obtained by Brazilian newspapers.

According to the Air Force, the budget restrictions directly affect expenditure essential to its operations, including aviation fuel, aircraft maintenance, the purchase of aeronautical materials and strategic programmes deemed priorities.

Impact on Brazilian Air Force operations

In its statement, the FAB says the funds left available after the freeze are insufficient to guarantee full training for all operational aircrews. As a result, the institution has begun focusing its efforts on missions considered essential, including air defence, search and rescue, flight instruction, and the transportation of organs for transplants.

The Air Force also stressed that funding for the maintenance and supply of aeronautical materials has been cut, further affecting fleet availability.

Last year, the force faced a similar situation. Flights by the Special Transport Group (GTE), which carries senior government figures and public officials such as members of Congress, also had to be reduced because of spending restrictions, while squadrons generally cut their flying hours.

Fighter pilots speaking anonymously to AEROIN said their annual flying average has been 90 hours, only slightly more than 10% of the hours flown by a commercial aviation pilot in a year. They identify this as the main reason military aviators have been leaving for civilian careers, although figures so far this year are slightly lower than in 2025.

Gripen and KC-390 programmes affected

The freeze totals R$ 1.015 billion in funding linked to the New PAC, in addition to a further R$ 435.7 million for discretionary expenditure. Among the most severely affected schemes is Project FX-2, which is responsible for acquiring JAS-39E/F Gripen fighter aircraft and has had R$ 800 million frozen. The KC-390 multirole aircraft programme was also affected, with R$ 215.8 million blocked in this year's budget.

Delays to the Gripen programme have already caused the FAB itself to pay fines and interest equivalent to the cost of purchasing six additional fighters of the same model. It should be noted, however, that the current freeze has not yet led to a new contract amendment with Saab; consequently, the latest published schedule remains unchanged, at least for now.

The FAB further stated that, should the blocked sums be released later, restored funding will be allocated as a priority to the Gripen Project, the maintenance of aeronautical materials, aviation fuel supplies and military infrastructure.