The acquisition of new fighter jets by the Colombian Air Force (FAC) has been a long and tortuous process. The country depends on Israeli IAI Kfir aircraft for its air defense, but the jets are at the end of their useful life and are only being kept for lack of options.
Three manufacturers are competing for an order for about a dozen fighter jets: the Dassault Rafale, Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70 and Saab Gripen E/F.
The Swedish company, however, was the subject of a report by Info Defensa that alleged that the Gripen had been prevented from participating in the competition by the United States government.
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According to the outlet, the Trump administration vetoed the supply of the General Electric F414G engine that equips the Swedish fighter.
Saab did not release a statement on the matter, but Richard Smith, Deputy Head of Marketing and Sales for Gripen, responded to a post on social media X calling the information false.
“All relevant licences and permissions are in place. Gripen E, logistics & industry package are the perfect fit for Colombia”, said the executive.
Back and forth
Colombia’s choice of a new fighter jet has been subject to embarrassing situations, such as the announced choice of the Rafale in December 2022 by the recently sworn-in president Gustavo Petro.
However, the proposal was to acquire only four aircraft with the budget resources available at the time (US$ 678 million). Dassault did not accept the conditions and the process went back to square one.
In April 2023, the bidding process was launched again with the Rafale, Gripen and F-16 in the running.
Lockheed Martin reportedly bid to supply 24 Block 70 fighters for $4.2 billion, but in November 2024 Swedish radio reported that the Gripen had been selected by the Colombian Air Force.
Saab would supply ten jets for a value of $2 billion, but there has been no official announcement of the competition so far.
