Twilight of the AMX: Why Brazil Is Retiring Its Only Home-Built Fighter Jet

This analysis is part of our multi-regional defense network including Asia-Pacific Military Watch, DefAsia, European Defense, and Latin Sentinel. #BrazilAirForce #AMX #A1M #Embraer #BrazilDefense #GripenE #MilitaryAviation #SouthAmericaDefense #BrazilMilitary #airpower Brazil is saying goodbye to the AMX — the only fighter jet the nation ever helped design and build. After more than three decades of service, the A-1M is entering its final chapter. This video explains why the Brazilian Air Force is retiring the AMX, what led to its decline, and what this moment means for Brazil’s future airpower. The AMX was born in the nineteen eighties as a bold industrial partnership between Brazil and Italy. It became the backbone of Brazil’s strike and reconnaissance missions, flying low-level attack profiles, participating in major exercises like Red Flag and Cruzex, and serving as a symbol of national aerospace ambition. For an entire generation of pilots and engineers, the AMX was more than a combat jet — it was proof that Brazil could build advanced military aircraft. But time has caught up with the A-1M. Even after a major modernization program that introduced new avionics, improved radar, night-vision capability, digital systems, and precision-guided weapon integration, the fleet continued to shrink. Only a small number of airframes remained structurally viable. With resources shifting toward the Gripen program, it became impossible to sustain two separate fighter ecosystems. By the end of two thousand twenty-four, one of the two AMX squadrons had already ended operations, and by two thousand twenty-five, Brazil began preparing for the aircraft’s final retirement. This video examines the deeper reasons behind the decision: aging structures, rising maintenance costs, shifting missions, and the increasing technological gap between the AMX and the demands of modern warfare. It also explains what Brazil loses when the AMX leaves service — including dedicated low-level strike, tactical reconnaissance, and anti-radiation capabilities — and how the Brazilian Air Force plans to fill this gap with the Gripen and other future solutions. Beyond its operational story, the AMX leaves behind an industrial legacy that continues to shape Brazil’s aerospace future. The technical knowledge gained from the AMX program helped pave the way for the A-29 Super Tucano and the KC-390 Millennium, solidifying Embraer’s place among the world’s leading aircraft manufacturers. The AMX is retiring, but its impact will endure. This video tells the story of the aircraft’s final chapter — and what comes next for Brazilian airpower.