Colombia has chosen the Gripen to replace outdated Kfir fighters

Colombia has selected Swedish JAS-39 Gripen fighter jets to replace its outdated Kfir combat aircraft fleet.

President Gustavo Petro announced this.

In his post on social media platform X, he officially announced signing a letter of intent with the Swedish government to purchase new fighter jets from Saab.

According to him, this project has been recognized as a priority within the strategy of strengthening national air defense.

The President of Colombia assured the country’s citizens that these are brand new modern combat aircraft already successfully operating in the Brazilian Air Force.

Swedish Defense Minister Paul Johnson also confirmed this information and said that relevant negotiations are underway.

“Sweden is a long-term partner of Colombia, and the choice of the Gripen means that strategic cooperation in the field of combat aircraft is possible,” Jonson wrote on social media X.

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As reported by Militarnyi, in November last year, the Swedish company Saab, with its JAS-39 Gripen fighter jet, became the favorite in Colombia in a tender to replace about 20 Kfir aircraft purchased three decades ago, which are already outdated. The cost of this project is estimated at about $3.2 billion. However, at the time, representatives of the Swedish company refused to comment on the relevant media reports.

At the end of February this year, Infodefensa reported that the United States promised to block the use of all American-made components on Gripen fighter jets for Colombia. This referred primarily to the actual General Electric F414G engine. How this situation will be resolved, if it really exists, is currently unknown. The parties could have reached an agreement.

In December 2022, Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced that the country would purchase new fighters to replace the Kfir, despite the fact that the project was not a priority before the new administration came to power in August.

Colombia initially considered French Rafale fighter jets. Later, plans for Danish F-16s were also announced.

A year later, the country began planning to order used Spanish Typhoon multi-role fighters. However, later on, it was only about purchasing new aircraft in the amount of 16 units.