DefenseAlthough a contract does not yet exist, Saab is optimistic about the conclusion of the sale of Gripen E fighters to Colombia.
Recently, the company’s CEO, Micael Johansson, was in the country alongside President Gustavo Petro during the announcement of the choice of the aircraft to replace the old IAI Kfir.
After several years of evaluations, the Colombian government is expected to order up to 24 Gripen E jets, putting an end to uncertainties regarding the country’s air defense.
To Reuters, Johasson revealed that the sale of 36 of these planes to Brazil helped convince Colombia to prefer it over the Dassault Rafale and the Lockheed Martin F-16.
Furthermore, the existence of an assembly line and component production in the neighboring country was a decisive factor in providing a supply chain for the aircraft.
Saab has a partnership with Embraer, which is involved in the assembly of part of the Brazilian Air Force order, made at its facilities in Gaviao Peixoto.
Sale to Peru
Saab’s CEO also confirmed plans to convince Peru to be the next customer for the Gripen. Like Colombia, the country’s air force is looking for a more modern fighter to, in this case, replace the Russian MiG-29 and Mirage 2000 jets from Dassault.
However, there is a tough competitor to beat, Korea Aerospace Industries, which has been approaching Peru by contracting SEMAN, a local company, to produce parts for the KF-21 Boramae fighter.
The Peruvian Air Force also operates KT-1P turboprop trainers from KAI, which were assembled by SEMAN in the last decade.
However, there is no forecast regarding a future decision yet.
