Colombia was for long looking to replace its now obsolete 20 Israeli Kfir C2 fighter jets, purchased 30 years ago. At the time, the former government had indicated its preference for the Swedish Gripen E, but due to a lack of suitable funds, the acquisition project initially stalled. Operating and maintaining a fleet of second-hand Kfir fighters has however proved costly and elusive. Colombia being the sole operator of the IAI Kfir, an aircraft for which no spare parts are now any more produced.
With a new, modern fighter of the latest standard, Colombia will be able to meet the threats from its neighbor and aggressive Venezuela in terms of deterrence, and provide the Andean country with a greater capacity to combat rebel groups and drug traffickers, who have been using swift business jets to smuggle drugs out of Colombia.
Let’s recall that in its most recent evaluation phase, three aircraft were to compete: Dassault’s Rafale, Saab’s Gripen E and Lockheed Martin’s F-16 “Viper”. Initially, the FAC was in favor of a F-16 choice, but following the election of president Gustavo Petro — a former rebel leader of the civil war — and his mild anti-American statements, Washington’s reaction was swift. The Biden administration stopped all F-16 exports to Bogotá, prohibiting the acquisition of a potential export certificate for en FMS deal.
The selection of the Swedish Gripen, currently in service only with the Brazilian Air Force in South America, is a purposeful choice that will allow for the purchase of aircraft in staggered numbers, and also which complies with Colombia military’s budget both in terms of purchase and operating costs… and above all delayed payments. The deal would cover an off-the-shelf purchase of 16 aircraft, including 4 Gripen F two-seaters built in Brazil.
Through its partnership with Embraer, Saab has long been trying to sell the Gripen E to Colombia. The offer includes joint production and financing with Embraer in Brazil, which is currently a partner in supplying the fighter to the Brazilian air force. Embraer’s Gaviãon Peixoto in Brazil has an assembly line where 15 of the 35 Gripen orders by Brazil will be assembled. In addition, the Swedish company has a components factory in Brazil and local suppliers. The fact that the Gripen is assembled on the continent in Brazil should also make it easier to maintain and obtain spare parts.
