Colombia Orders 17 Saab Gripen Fighters for €3.1B

Saab has signed a contract with the Government of Colombia for the delivery of 17 Gripen E/F fighter aircraft, marking the country’s selection of the Swedish-built platform for its air defence modernisation programme. The order is valued at €3.1 billion, with deliveries scheduled between 2026 and 2032.

The contract includes 15 single-seat Gripen E and two twin-seat Gripen F aircraft, along with associated weapons, equipment, training, and support services. Saab announced that the agreement also encompasses two offset arrangements with the Colombian government, covering industrial and social cooperation projects.

Swedish Defence Minister Pål Jonson tweeted, “🇸🇪🇨🇴I’m proud that Colombia today joins the Gripen E family, alongside Sweden, Brazil and Thailand. With the Colombian purchase of 17 Gripen E/F, our defence relations will deepen significantly & Colombia will receive one of the world’s greatest fighter jets. Colombia will benefit from the Gripen’s cutting-edge technology, low operating cost & high availability. For Sweden this means that we secure & invest in production and research abilities for fighter jets. More partners means that the Gripen program can evolve even further. Sweden and Colombia established relations early on. In 1820, King Karl XIV Johan sent Count Fredrik Adlercreutz to Colombia to support Simón Bolívar in the struggle for independence. He played an important role in liberating the city of Cartagena in 1821. With Colombia joining the Gripen E family, we renew cooperation on defence in the modern era.”

According to the company, the offset package will support initiatives in aeronautics, cybersecurity, healthcare, sustainable energy, and water purification technology, as part of a broader framework for long-term industrial collaboration between Saab and Colombia. Local media in Colombia reported the first aircraft deliveries are expected to begin in 2028. The announcement came on the occasion of the 106th anniversary of the Fuerza Aeroespacial Colombiana. The offset package includes a solar power plant and water desalination facility.

Micael Johansson, President and CEO of Saab, said, “I am honoured that Colombia has chosen Gripen E/F to enhance its air defence capabilities and delighted to welcome Colombia into the Gripen family. This marks the beginning of a strong and long-term partnership that will strengthen Colombia’s defence and security, benefit its people, and boost the nation’s innovation power.”

The deal makes Colombia the latest customer for Saab’s Gripen platform, which is also in service or on order with several air forces worldwide. Saab stated that it will provide training and logistical support to the Colombian Air Force as part of the delivery package.

Gripen for Ukraine

Late last month, Ukraine signed a Letter of Intent with Sweden for the potential acquisition of up to 100–150 Gripen E fighters. Although a firm order is still some time away, it could be financed with Swedish export credits and military aid. Funds from frozen Russian assets have also been referenced as potential sources to pay for the order. The understanding under the Letter of Intent envisages a time-frame of ten to fifteen years for such an order to be completed after an order is placed, which is speculated to be around 2028. Saab has indicated it would consider setting up an assembly line in Ukraine to service the order. The company has said it would have to double production of the fighter if the Ukrainian order comes through. The value of such an order would rest comfortably in the tens of billions of dollars.

Canadian Gripen

Johansson also told media in reporting on Friday that his company is in talks to produce the Gripen in Canada if the country were to order the aircraft. Johansson has offered the prospect of 10,000 jobs in Canada if such an order were placed, with production in partnership with Canada’s Bombardier, which produces the Bombardier 6000/6500 series of aircraft on which the Saab GlobalEye surveillance aircraft is based. This prospect of Canadian Gripens could advance during the visit of King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden to Canada next week, which will include defence industry delegations.

Canada has existing plans for 88 U.S. Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fifth generation stealth fighters but has, so far, ordered only 16 aircraft, with Prime Minister Mark Carney ordering a review of the rest of the acquisition earlier this year. Canada’s The Globe and Mail reported sources suggesting that ‘Canada would perhaps buy 32 to 40 F-35s and add 60 to 70 of the non-stealth, though far cheaper, Gripens to the RCAF fleet,’ also noting opposition to the idea of ‘running a dual fleet’ of fighters. There is also the worry that the temperamental U.S. President Donald Trump might gripe about the Gripen fighter cutting down the purchase of F-35 fighters.

Two months back, Saab had announced an order from the Royal Thai Air Force for four Gripen E/F fighters worth $550 million as part of a larger order for twelve aircraft, to add to its existing fleet of older model F-16 and Gripen fighters. Hungary placed an order for four Gripen aircraft last year, adding to its lease/purchase fleet of the type.

While Sweden has ordered 60 Gripen E aircraft to add to its fleet of older model Gripens, Brazil has 36 Gripen E/F fighters on order with a second purchase expected for around a dozen aircraft. On Friday, the Força Aérea Brasileira (FAB) announced the delivery of its latest aircraft to Navegantes from Linköping in Sweden.