Colombia has signed an agreement with the Swedish company Saab to acquire 17 Gripen fighter jets, after securing approval from Swedish banks to finance the contract worth approximately US$ 4.24 billion.
The negotiations initially planned for 16 aircraft, but one extra unit was added before the final signing. The Colombian government is expected to officially announce the purchase during the Air Force anniversary on November 14, in Cali.
The new fighters will replace the aging Kfirs, which have been in operation for more than three decades. Deliveries will begin in 2027 and continue until 2032, with the first payment scheduled for 2026. Although President Gustavo Petro wanted the first aircraft to arrive during his term, that will not be possible. The expectation is that the batch will include the most modern versions of the Gripen E/F, the same used by the Brazilian Air Force.
The acquisition concludes years of studies and shifts in direction, which included analyses of French Rafales, Danish F-16s and even used Spanish Typhoons. With the signing of the agreement, the country advances in its fleet renewal plan, after successive delays and strategy changes throughout recent administrations.
Source: Militarnyi | Photo: X @Saab | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
We welcome Colombia into the Gripen family 🇨🇴 🇸🇪 Saab has signed a contract with the Colombian Government and received an order for 17 Gripen E/F fighter aircraft.https://t.co/MqarDUtBZZ pic.twitter.com/UD9YlhahlA
— Saab (@Saab) November 15, 2025
