Colombia picks Saab Gripen for next fighter jet
Key specifics remain under wraps regarding a potential deal between Saab and Colombia, including the number of aircraft involved, delivery timelines, and the total cost of the agreement.
A Saab JAS-39C Gripen flies at Airpower 24 on September 7, 2024 in Zeltweg, Austria. (Mario Skraban/Getty Images)
Stockholm — A letter of intent has been signed between the Republic of Colombia and the Kingdom of Sweden for the purchase of Saab Gripen fighters, according to Colombian President Gustavo Petro.
The fleet of aircraft to be acquired is completely new, “with the latest technology, already deployed in Brazil, and is a Saab 39 Gripen brand,” Petro wrote in a translated statement on X.
In response, Sweden’s Minister of Defense Pål Jonson wrote on X that “It is gratifying that President Petro has announced that Colombia is choosing the Gripen as its fighter jet … Negotiations will now begin.”
Key specifics remain under wraps regarding a potential deal between Saab and Colombia, including the number of aircraft involved, delivery timelines, and the total cost of the agreement. However, Petro’s statement claims that the deal comes with commercial offsets, including the development of a solar panel production plant.
“It is very positive for Saab and Sweden that Colombia’s President Petro has announced his intention to acquire the Gripen E/F advanced multi-role fighter,” Saab’s Mattias Rådström wrote in a statement to Breaking Defense.
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Although no contract is yet in place, “we look forward to finalising negotiations with Colombia.” according to Rådström.
Colombia has been weighing such a Gripen purchase for some time, but a hiccup briefly appeared last month when a local news report claimed the US government would not sanction re-export of the fighter jet’s General Electric F414 engine. In theory such a tactic could have been used as leverage to convince or strong-arm Colombia into accepting a rival F-16 bid.
However, officials from Saab quickly moved to knock that report down, and the issue has not reemerged since that initial unverified report.
In a statement to Breaking Defense, Saab said, “Fighter aircraft procurement is often surrounded by rumours. Saab has for many years had all the necessary licenses and permits in place for Colombia and therefore we have no reason to speculate further on the topic.”
A win in Colombia gives the Swedish firm another fighter operator in South America.
Saab already has a key collaboration in South America through its Gripen deal with Brazil, which has led to a facility for the development, final assembly, testing, and evaluation of the Gripen in São Paulo.
Back in 2014, the Brazilian government signed a contract with Saab for the development and production of 36 Gripen aircraft, featuring 28 single-seat Gripen E models and 8 two-seat Gripen F variants. The delivery of these units remains on track for completion by 2027, according to a Saab factsheet.
Tim Martin in Belfast contributed to this report.
