Colombia announces its choice: the Gripen

Expected for months, the Colombian government has finally made a definite decision on its future fighter aircraft: the SAAB JAS39 Gripen.

About two years ago, the Rafale was revealed as the winner of the heavily contested contract. The purchase however fell through due to credit issues. Earlier, the Lockheed-Martin F-16 Block 70/72 has long been named a frontrunner in the competition set for the Fuerza Aérea Colombiana (FAC, Colombian Air Force), however the competition appeared to be wide open again last year, with the SAAB 39 Gripen and Eurofighter Typhoon as serious contenders.

Last November, it became known that the Gripen was the preferred choice of the Colombian Government, a choice which was finally announced earlier this week by Colombian President Gustavo Pietro.

The Gripens will replace the FAC’s fleet of IAI Kfir jets, the first of which were obtained in 1989. After several upgrades to C7, C10 and C12 standard (dubbed Kfir COA in Colombia) and further upgrades, the Kfir remained a potent fighter in the hands of Colombian pilots. However, in the last ten years, despite its performance, the serviceability of the Kfir fleet has dwindled considerably and their technical life expired fast. With no replacement yet for the (O)A-37B, which was retired in 2020, the Kfir remained the only jet in service for air defense and ground attack duties, alongside the Super Tucano.

More details of the Gripen-deal will likely be announced at F-AIR 2025, the biennial Colombian air show at Rionegro, like the number of aircraft involved, cooperation with Brazil that both manufactures and operates the Gripen, as well as details of the Swedish offset deal for Colombia

Credit photo: Wim Sonneveld