Saab has signed a contract with the Colombian Government to supply 17 Gripen E/F fighter aircraft, marking one of the most significant defense acquisitions in Colombia’s history.
The deal is valued at €3.1 billion ($3.6 billion), with deliveries scheduled to take place between 2026 and 2032.
The order includes 15 single-seat Gripen E fighters and two dual-seat Gripen F aircraft. The package also covers weapons, equipment, training, and support services as Colombia begins transitioning away from its aging Kfir fleet.
Saab and the Colombian Government also signed two offset agreements that outline cooperation in aeronautics, cybersecurity, health, sustainable energy, and water purification technology. The projects are intended to tie the purchase of combat aircraft to broader national development goals.
“I am honored that Colombia has chosen Gripen E/F to enhance its air defense capabilities and delighted to welcome Colombia into the Gripen family,” said Micael Johansson, President and CEO of Saab. “This marks the beginning of a strong and long-term partnership that will strengthen Colombia’s defense and security, benefit its people, and boost the nation’s innovation power.”
Renewing Colombia’s combat air fleet
The new jets will replace the Colombian Air Force’s Kfir fighters, which have been in service for over 40 years and have become increasingly expensive to maintain. Operational availability has declined sharply in recent years, prompting repeated warnings in Bogotá about shrinking air defense capacity.
Colombia’s search for a replacement spanned more than a decade and included several unsuccessful attempts to close deals with various suppliers. The Gripen E/F emerged as the preferred option after earlier negotiations for Dassault Rafale fighters lapsed and after evaluations of Lockheed Martin’s F-16.
The government announced its intention to purchase the Gripen in April 2025, but the plan initially raised questions over whether Washington would allow the export of the US-made F414 engine that powers the Gripen E. The conclusion of a binding contract signifies that export control concerns have been resolved.
The Colombian Air Force will now move ahead with preparations for basing, training, and logistics to support the introduction of the new fleet. The Kfir is expected to remain in limited service until Gripen deliveries begin in 2026, after which Colombia will gradually transition to an all-Gripen force.
Expanding the Gripen E customer base
With this agreement, Colombia becomes one of the first export customers for the Gripen E/F. Sweden began receiving its own Gripen E aircraft in October 2025, while Brazil has already inducted the type and is assembling jets locally under an industrial partnership between Saab and Embraer.
Latin America is also emerging as a region of growing Gripen integration. In Brazil, the Gripen E recently completed a flight test campaign with the KC-390 Millennium for air-to-air refueling certification.
