DefenseColombia to Acquire 18 Gripen E Fighters from Saab
The Colombian government is set to sign a US$1.9 billion agreement with Sweden in October to acquire 18 Saab Gripen E fighter jets, according to Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez told Infobae.
The deal, aimed at replacing the aging IAI Kfir fighters fleet, is being financed through a long-term credit provided by the Swedish government, which includes an eight-year grace period.
Colombia selected the Gripen E after evaluating offers from the United States for F-16s and from France for the Rafale, as well as considering China’s J-10CE.
Favorable financial conditions and industrial cooperation were key factors in the decision. The contract, valued at approximately 16 billion Colombian pesos, forms part of a broader defense modernization program intended to last several decades.
The deal includes offset agreements such as technology transfers and collaborative projects in renewable energy and healthcare. These initiatives are designed to extend the impact of the procurement beyond defense capability, contributing to other sectors in Colombia.
Second Gripen operator in Latin America
The Saab Gripen E is the latest development in the Gripen family, originally introduced in the 1980s. Powered by the General Electric F414G turbofan engine, the aircraft can reach speeds up to Mach 2, operate at altitudes above 16,000 meters, and has a combat range of over 1,300 kilometers without aerial refueling.
Gripen E features a modular design and open avionics architecture, allowing rapid integration of new systems and mission profiles. It is configured for air-to-air, air-to-ground, and reconnaissance missions, offering a variety of weapon options. The fighter can be mission-ready in under 20 minutes, even with limited ground crew resources.
With the Gripen E expected to serve the Colombian Air Force for around 50 years, the procurement marks a significant step in maintaining operational capabilities as the Kfir aircraft become increasingly costly and difficult to sustain.
Colombia will become the second operator of the Gripen E in Latin America, following Brazil. Another country in the region may soon join them: Peru, which also plans to place an order for 24 aircraft in the coming weeks. The Gripen E is competing with the US Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70.
About the Author
Ricardo Meier
Creator of the website that started in 1996 as a magazine. He also writes on Brazilian websites AUTOO, MOTOO and MetrôCPTM.
