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.

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.