Colombia Signs €3.1B Deal with Saab for 17 Gripen E/F Jets

Swedish company Saab has signed a contract with the Colombian Government for the supply of 17 Gripen E/F fighter aircraft, valued at €3.1 billion.

Deliveries of the aircraft are scheduled from 2026 to 2032. The contract covers 15 Gripen E one-seater aircraft and two Gripen F two-seater aircraft, along with associated equipment, weapons, training and services, the company confirmed in a statement today.

Saab and the Colombian Government also signed two offset agreements that establish the framework for a wide range of military and social projects. According to Saab, the offset package will support activities in aeronautics, cyber security, health, sustainable energy and water purification technology.

Colombia’s decision to buy the Gripen was taken in April, but the aircraft numbers and total cost were not confirmed until now. Saab’s offer beat a U.S.-backed F-16 proposal.

With this acquisition, Colombia becomes the second Gripen operator in South America, joining Brazil, which has ordered 36 Gripen aircraft and hosts a final assembly line. It remains unclear whether Colombia’s aircraft will also be produced in Brazil.

The Colombian order follows other recent Gripen developments. Saab finalized a $550 million deal with Thailand in August for four aircraft, and last month Ukraine and Sweden reached an agreement for a future procurement of 100 to 150 Gripen E fighters. Saab has also confirmed ongoing talks with Peru.