Swedish aerospace giant Saab and the Republic of Colombia signed a historic agreement on 14 November in Cali for the acquisition of 17 JAS Gripen E/F fighter aircraft. The ceremony was attended by Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa. It marks a new chapter in bilateral relations and stands as one of Sweden’s largest export deals to date.
This major sale is built on a strong diplomatic and strategic foundation. Sweden and Colombia celebrated the 150th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in 2024 and signed a bilateral partnership agreement earlier this year. Since 2017, the two sides had already been cooperating under a defence memorandum of understanding.
Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard’s visit to Colombia in January further strengthened high-level dialogue. Swedish ministers later emphasised the importance of the Gripen deal for national interests. Trade Minister Benjamin Dousa drew attention to the link between trade and security and stated that the agreement will reinforce both Sweden’s security and its economy.
Defence Minister Pål Jonson highlighted the competitiveness of Sweden’s high technology defence industry. He said that Colombia will be receiving one of the most advanced fighter aircraft in the world with the Gripen. Jonson had attended the F AIR aviation fair in July, where he inspected two Gripen E aircraft displayed with the support of the Brazilian Air Force. His presence underscored the preparatory work behind the agreement.
The total value of the 17 Gripen E/F aircraft and the associated equipment, weapons, training and services is estimated at 3.1 billion euros. Saab President and Chief Executive Officer Micael Johansson stated that the agreement integrates Colombia into the Gripen community and strengthens the country’s air defence capabilities.
Johansson added that this long term partnership will enhance Colombia’s defence and security while delivering broader societal and technological benefits. He noted that it will support innovation and contribute to national development. Deliveries are planned to begin in 2026 and will continue through 2032.
The agreement extends beyond the military dimension. Saab and the Colombian government signed two separate offset agreements that include a comprehensive industrial cooperation package. These agreements establish a framework for military and social projects while committing to technology transfer and long term capability development.
Colombia is expected to benefit from cooperation in sectors such as aerospace, cybersecurity, healthcare, sustainable energy and water purification technologies. The JAS 39 Gripen selected by Colombia is a lightweight single engine supersonic multirole aircraft produced by Swedish manufacturer Saab. The platform stands out for its combination of advanced technology, operational simplicity and flexibility. It has proven effective in a wide range of climates and tactical environments.
The aircraft is available in the single seat JAS 39E and the twin seat JAS 39F variants. The E model is 15.2 metres long and can reach speeds above Mach 2. It is powered by the General Electric RM16 afterburning turbofan engine which delivers 98 kilonewtons of thrust.The Gripen E offers a maximum altitude of 16,000 metres and an unladen range of more than 4,000 kilometres. Single seat configurations include a 27 millimetre Mauser BK 27 cannon. The aircraft carries up to 7,200 kilograms of payload across ten hardpoints. It can employ air to air missiles such as IRIS T and MBDA Meteor as well as a variety of laser guided and unguided air to ground munitions. Modern avionics including the Selex ES 05 Raven AESA radar and the Skyward G infrared search and track system provide a significant combat advantage.
With Colombia joining the Gripen community, Sweden aims to deepen defence policy cooperation and strengthen long term ties between the two nations.
