Sweden to Sell 12 Gripen Jets to Peru, 4 GlobalEye AEWCS to Denmark

Sweden is preparing to authorize the sale of 12 JAS-39 Gripen E/F fighter jets to Peru and four GlobalEye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft to Denmark, according to the latest defense budget proposal submitted to the Swedish Parliament.

While no contracts have been finalized, parliamentary approval would pave the way for formal intergovernmental agreements and subsequent negotiations with the two countries.

Peru is evaluating a replacement for its aging fleet of Mirage 2000 and MiG-29 aircraft, which suffer from limited availability. The Peruvian Air Force (FAP) has shortlisted three fighter jets: the U.S.-made F-16 Block 70, France’s Rafale, and Sweden’s Gripen E/F.

Speaking on the modernization plan, Peruvian Defense Minister Jorge Chávez stated: “The loan… will allow us to execute Phase I of the FAP’s Acquisition Investment Project, which includes an initial batch of 12 aircraft out of the 24 planned fighter-bombers.”

The total defense budget allocated for the program stands at approximately $3.42 billion. The sale would also include unspecified air defense systems tailored to Peru’s military needs.

In Northern Europe, Denmark is seeking to build up its airborne surveillance capabilities in response to shifting regional security dynamics. The proposed sale of four Saab GlobalEye AEW&C aircraft would mark the country’s first such capability.

The GlobalEye platform is based on the Bombardier Global 6000 jet and integrates the PS-890 Erieye ER radar, Leonardo’s Seaspray 7500E maritime surveillance radar, and advanced EO/IR sensors. It offers air, land, and maritime tracking with a detection range of up to 450 kilometers.

Although Denmark has not operated AEW&C platforms in the past, Saab has floated the idea of a Nordic-wide shared AEW&C fleet. If realized, this could allow Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Finland to pool resources in a system similar to NATO’s multinational MRTT tanker program led by the Netherlands.