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 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 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 is increasingly looking to Saab as a preferred future partner, Reuters reported, citing sources.

(Reporting by Gabriel Araujo)