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Brazil Wednesday unveiled the first supersonic fighter jet to be produced locally, placing it among a small group of countries able to build such advanced aircraft.President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva christened the F-39E Gripen fighter jet from the Swedish group Saab with champagne during a high-profile ceremony in Gaviao Peixoto in the state of Sao Paulo.The Brazilian presidency said the building of the supersonic jet was "unprecedented in Latin America.""This project allows us to consolidate our deterrent power by enhancing our capacity to ensure national sovereignty and regional security," Brazil's Defense Minister Jose Mucio said during the ceremony.Brazil has ordered 36 supersonic fighter jets from Saab, 15 of which will be manufactured at the facilities of the Brazilian aerospace manufacturer Embraer in Gaviao Peixoto.Brasilia opted for the Swedish aircraft over the Rafale from France's Dassault Aviation and the F/A-18 Super Hornet from US company Boeing.The deal — awarded in 2014 — was plagued with corruption allegations. Lula was accused of receiving around 1mn dollars to help Saab win the tender during his first term in office.However investigations in Brazil and Sweden were closed with no evidence of wrongdoing found by Saab, while the case against Lula was dismissed.Brazil has highlighted the importance of boosting defence capabilities in a turbulent geopolitical landscape.Lula has criticised the war against Iran waged by the US and Israel.He has also denounced Washington's actions in Latin America, saying the US attack on Venezuela to oust president Nicolas Maduro crossed "an unacceptable line".During an official visit by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa earlier this month, Lula warned both nations were at risk of foreign invasion."I don't know if comrade Ramaphosa realizes that if we don't prepare ourselves in terms of defence, one day someone will invade us," said Lula. 

The US Pacific Fleet announced that a helicopter and a fighter jet crashed during separate routine operations over the South China Sea, adding that all crew members were rescued safely. According to CNN, the US Navy has launched an investigation into the cause of both incidents, which occurred over what it described as strategic waters.The Navy said that an MH-60R Seahawk helicopter went down while conducting routine operations from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz. Search and rescue teams saved the three crew members.It added that about 30 minutes later, an F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter crashed while carrying out routine operations from the Nimitz base.The Navy noted that the two crew members ejected and were safely recovered.The US Navy had previously lost two other F/A-18 aircraft in the Red Sea last spring after one fell into the sea from an aircraft carrier, while the other apparently suffered a landing gear malfunction.