The deal is worth 3.1 billion euros, equivalent to around 34 billion kronor. Delivery is expected to take place between 2026 and 2032. The contract includes 15 single-seat Gripen Es and two two-seat Gripen Fs, including associated equipment and weapons, as well as training.
This is one of Sweden's largest export deals in our country's history and will mean new jobs in Sweden and increased tax revenue, so this is fantastic for us, says Benjamin Dousa, who is on site in Colombia.
Enhanced cooperation
Back in April this year, Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced that the country planned to renew its defense with Swedish fighter jets.
“This marks the beginning of a strong and long-term partnership that will strengthen Colombia's defense and security, benefit its people and strengthen the country's innovative power,” says Saab CEO Micael Johansson in a press release.
In addition to the purchase of the Gripen aircraft, Saab and Colombia have also signed two agreements for investments in areas such as cybersecurity, healthcare, sustainable energy and water purification.
"This is a historic moment for the Colombian people," said Gustavo Petro, according to the newspaper El Tiempo .
According to Benjamin Dousa, the deal is important for Sweden, both economically as most of the planes will be produced in Linköping, but also for the Swedish defense.
We are too small a market to be able to support ourselves, which is why we are completely dependent on this type of very large business so that we can also defend our own country, he says.
Tense position
The fact that Colombia is currently in a region where there are tensions, primarily due to US attacks on boats off the coast of Colombia and Venezuela, has not been deemed to be a problem for the deal.
This deal has all the permits needed by the Inspectorate for Strategic Products, ISP, and they take a holistic view of the geopolitical situation and the situation in the country and what type of country it is, says Dousa.
As recently as August this year, Thailand purchased four Gripen E/F fighter jets from Saab. The total order value for that deal is just over five billion kronor. In October, Ukraine also signed a letter of intent with Sweden to purchase 100 to 150 Jas Gripen.
Dousa confirms that talks are underway with several stakeholders, but cannot elaborate on which countries are involved or how far along the negotiations are.
Gripen is the world's best fighter aircraft, he says and continues:
That a small, small country like Sweden can produce such fantastic products is absolutely extraordinary.
The Swedish Air Force currently has just under 100 Gripen aircraft.
Brazil ordered 36 Gripen Es in 2014, of which eight have been delivered so far. In November 2024, Brazil announced plans to purchase a further nine aircraft.
South Africa has previously purchased 26 Gripen planes.
Thailand owns 12 Gripen and is in negotiations to purchase additional planes to replace American F-16 planes, which have been in service since 1988.
The Czech Republic leases 14 Gripen planes – twelve single-seat Gripen C and two two-seat Gripen D – from Sweden and that contract is to have been extended until 2035.
Hungary leased 14 planes – twelve Gripen C and two Gripen D – which were then purchased. An agreement was signed in 2024 for Hungary to purchase an additional four Gripen Cs.
