Colombia Selects Saab’s Gripen E/F As Next Fighter Aircraft
Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced April 2 that he had signed a letter of intent with the Swedish government on the purchase of Saab’s Gripen E/F multirole aircraft, with the aircraft now set to be the Colombian Air Force’s next fighter aircraft.
Petro did not provide any further details on the amount of Gripens being procured to replace the Israel Aircraft Industry Kfirs that have been in service with the Colombian Air Force since 1989, but said the purchase would include “social investment” offsets consisting of a “state-of-the-art” flexible solar panel production plant located in the department of Córdoba, the installation of drinking water supplies for several locations in the department of La Guajira, and the restoration and installation of state-of-the-art medical equipment in the “central tower” of the Hospital San Juan de Dios in Bogotá.
In response to an inquiry by Overt Defense, a Saab representative said:
“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 has the most comprehensive offer for Colombia and we are convinced that Gripen E/F is the best choice for the long-term defence, security and prosperity of Colombia. Although no contract is yet in place, we look forward to finalising negotiations with Colombia.”
When asked about recent reports that the United States might deny approval for reexport of the General Electric F414 engine powering the Gripen E/F, the representative added: “Saab has for many years had all the necessary licenses and permits in place for Colombia”.
The Gripen E/F is the latest development of Saab’s Gripen. Jointly developed by Saab and Brazil’s Embraer, it is a larger and more capable aircraft than the preceding A to D models of the Gripen, and has an additional production line in Brazil operated by Embraer in addition to Saab’s Linkoping plant.