Colombia months away from selecting new fighter aircraft, says minister
Saab’s JAS 39 Gripen is one of the aircraft being considered by selection by Colombia. (Photo: Airwolfhound/Wikimedia Commons)
The country’s Defence Minister said that the selection of a NATO-country fighter aircraft to replace its ageing Kfir jets was a matter of protecting the country.
As first reported by Reuters, Colombia is “months” away from deciding from which NATO country it will purchase its new fighter jet, according to its Defence Minister, Pedro Sánchez.
In the mix for selection by Colombia to replace its ageing Israeli Kfir aircraft are the US’s Lockeed Martin F-16, France’s Dassault Rafale and Sweden’s Saab JAS 39 Gripen aircraft.
The minister reportedly refused to comment on the number of aircraft Colombia would buy, or the total cost of the deal, but claimed that the deal was an issue of “sovereignty”.
Related Articles
Colombian Air Force modernises but future of Kfirs remains unclear
In 2023 the Colombian government said it had a US$3.65 billion budget to buy 16 aircraft – although negotiations then stalled. Shephard Defence Insight estimated that the programme value cost would be around $1 billion.
According to a Swedish news source in November 2024, Saab’s JAS 39 Gripen aircraft had been selected to replace Colombia's Kfir aircraft. However, a Saab source disclosed to Shephard at the time that no such final decision had in fact taken place.
Minister Sánchez doubled down on his comments about Saab’s Gripen in a recent interview with Swedish radio station, Ekot. He denied that the United States had threatened to veto any Saab sale because of corruption, on account of the US-made General Electric engine in the fighter aircraft.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![UK vows to accelerate Lyra programme for Ukraine as defence industry eyes opportunities]()
UK vows to accelerate Lyra programme for Ukraine as defence industry eyes opportunities
Project Nightfall and Project Octopus both fall under the Lyra programme, with UK industry working to develop and deliver additional missiles and drones to help bolster Ukraine’s warfighting capabilities against Russia.
-
![How detection-led C-UAS solutions are transforming drone defense]()
How detection-led C-UAS solutions are transforming drone defense
Modern C-UAS solutions must detect threats early, integrate layered sensors, and deliver fast, scalable, adaptable defense against evolving drones.
-
![US approves $16.5 billion in ‘emergency’ sales for air defence equipment for Middle East allies]()
US approves $16.5 billion in ‘emergency’ sales for air defence equipment for Middle East allies
The United Arab Emirates has taken the lion’s share of this round, with the US supporting its F-16 fleet and signing off on possible sales for more AMRAAM AIM-120 missiles and a counter-drone system.
-
![How uncrewed rotary platforms are shaping approaches to contested logistics]()
How uncrewed rotary platforms are shaping approaches to contested logistics
Defence industry primes are working on an array of different platforms to meet the growing need for rotary uncrewed aerial vehicles to carry out future logistics missions.
