Aircraft
Colombia Signs for Saab Gripen E/F
The South American nation is to acquire 17 aircraft, including a pair of two-seaters
Brazilian Gripen Es
A pair of Brazilian Gripen Es conduct inflight refueling with a KC-390 tanker during certification testing, which has just concluded. © Saab

Having stated in April that it was to acquire an unspecified number of Saab Gripen E/Fs, the Colombian government signed a contract for 17 aircraft on November 14. The deal, valued at €3.1 billion ($3.6 billion), covers 15 Gripen E single-seaters and two Gripen F two-seaters, plus associated equipment, training, weapons, and services. Deliveries are scheduled to begin next year and run to 2032.

Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro announced the deal during a visit to a military base. A contract signing ceremony took place in Cali and was attended by Benjamin Dousa, Sweden’s minister for international development cooperation and foreign trade. The two governments also signed a pair of offset agreements covering various military and social projects, such as sustainable energy, water purification, cybersecurity, and aeronautics.