DefenseSaab is continuing its campaign to sell Gripen fighter jets to Peru despite signs the country has leaned toward the F-16, even as no formal decision has been confirmed, according to Reuters.
The Swedish manufacturer said it remains engaged with the Peruvian Air Force and has submitted what it describes as a competitive proposal, while acknowledging that the procurement process has slowed amid political instability in the country.
Peru’s government has sent mixed signals in recent months. Officials have indicated that the Lockheed Martin F-16 was the preferred option, only to later deny that a final selection had been made. The process is taking place against a backdrop of frequent leadership changes and tensions between the executive branch and Congress.
The United States has already approved a potential sale of 12 F-16 Block 70 fighters to Peru, in a package estimated at $3.4 billion. Sweden, in parallel, has offered a wider package centered on the Gripen, which includes not only the fighter aircraft but also the GlobalEye airborne early warning and control platform.
Saab CEO Micael Johansson said the company sees Peru as a natural extension of its presence in South America, where it has already secured a major contract with Brazil and, more recently, an order from Colombia. He noted that funding decisions appear to have been addressed in Peru, but the formal launch and selection phase remain pending.
In the region, Brazil is already introducing the Gripen E into service, including locally assembled aircraft, while Colombia selected the Gripen E/F as part of its fleet renewal strategy. Saab is positioning these developments as evidence of the aircraft’s growing footprint in Latin America.
Johansson also reiterated that Saab does not expect to significantly expand its industrial footprint beyond Sweden and Brazil, where the company has established a final assembly line with Embraer. That facility is expected to support future exports, depending on additional orders.
