Saab signs $3.6 billion Gripen fighter deal with Colombia
Nov 14 (Reuters) - Swedish defense firm Saab聽said on Friday it has signed a contract worth 3.1 billion euros ($3.62 billion) with the Colombian government to deliver 17 Gripen fighter jets in the next five years.
Saab will deliver 15 Gripen E single-seat and two Gripen F dual-seat fighter jets to Colombia and support military and civilian projects under two offset agreements focused on defense, technology and infrastructure.
The Gripen is a fourth-generation, single-engine聽聽jet built for versatility. Classified as a multi-role aircraft, it is capable of executing air-to-air combat, precision bombing and reconnaissance missions. The jet is widely regarded as a cost-effective alternative to pricier fifth-generation fighters like the F-35.
The commander of Colombia's Aerospace Force, Carlos Silva, said in April that the country planned to buy 16 to 24 Gripens. Colombia had a choice between the JAS 39 Gripen, French Dassault-made Rafale聽and U.S. firm Lockheed Martin's F-16聽jets.
Neighbor Brazil has already purchased 36 JAS 39 Gripen jets from SAAB and built an assembly plant for the aircraft in the country in partnership with SAAB.