Colombia is reportedly set to acquire a fleet of Saab JAS Gripen fighter jets as part of a long-anticipated effort to modernize its air capabilities. According to Swedish public radio SR’s Ekot news broadcast, the Colombian government has decided to purchase the Swedish-manufactured aircraft, though the number of units remains unclear. This news, citing unnamed sources, has led to a 3.4% rise in Saab’s share price on the Stockholm Stock Exchange.
The acquisition represents a significant step in Colombia’s strategy to replace its aging fleet of Israeli-made Kfir fighters, a process that the Ministry of Defense has been planning for several years. In 2022, Colombia held advanced talks with Sweden’s Saab and France’s Dassault Aviation for the purchase of new fighters, but financial constraints delayed the decision, so the program had to be restarted the following year. In 2023, the balance seemed to tip in favor of Paris, as the Colombian Ministry of Defense initially showed a preference for Dassault’s Rafale, but negotiations did not come to fruition due to political disagreements between the Colombian and French governments over the situation in Gaza. This context could have tipped the balance towards Saab’s offer, as reported by the Ekot program.
Saab has confirmed that it is still in dialogue with Colombian authorities, although a contract has not yet been signed.
«We have taken note of the information in the media but cannot comment further at this time,» said a Saab spokesperson cited by Reuters. «We have previously had a dialogue with Colombia regarding the sale of Gripen, but there is currently no contract.»
When asked about the rumors of the purchase, the Colombian Minister of Defense, Iván Velásquez, denied that the decision is closed:
“There is still no definition, there are many rumors, there is no statement from the Government, we are waiting for the decision of the President of the Republic”. “Once the decision has been adopted by the president, it will be communicated”, added Velásquez.
Strategic Expansion in Latin America
Saab has been actively targeting the Latin American market for its JAS Gripen fighters, focusing on Colombia and Peru. The company’s expansion in the region is supported by a production base in Brazil, developed in partnership with Brazilian aerospace firm Embraer SA, to support local manufacturing and reduce costs. This base in Brazil puts Saab in a favorable position, enabling it to meet demand in neighboring markets and promote defense collaboration in the region.
Colombia’s acquisition of JAS Gripen fighters could mark an important step towards strengthening its air defense and modernizing its military fleet. Saab’s Gripen is widely recognized for its affordability, being the lowest operating cost model among its direct competitors, the French Dassault Rafale and the U.S. Lockheed Martin F-16. In addition, its operational versatility makes it an attractive option for countries seeking advanced and cost-effective defense solutions.
