Colombian government's purchase of 17 Swedish Gripen E/F fighters from Saab, which was signed on November 14, 2025, is recognized as fully legal and transparent, as well as the most advantageous offer.
Such a decision was announced by Colombia's Comptroller General (department responsible for conducting financial control, state auditor). The official announcement noted that during the audit, all documentation was checked, including financial and classified technical. And also checked the result of Gripen assessment itself as the best offer.
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According to disclosed information, purchase of 17 new Gripens (15 single-seat Gripen E and 2 twin-seat Gripen F) together with technical-operational training, logistics support and armament costs 3,135,511,371 euros. That is, the price of one Gripen in comprehensive delivery for Colombia is 184.4 million euros per fighter, or $220 million.
By the way, precisely such unexpectedly high price for Swedish fighter became the reason for conducting inspection. Also worth considering payment terms: 40% of contract cost must be paid in six separate advance payments in period from 2026 to 2031. Other 60% of amount during fighter delivery from 2028 to 2032.
Regarding choosing Gripen specifically, it's noted that it's the result of large-scale technical assessment that included 9 variables and 157 sub-variables. They covered operational characteristics, sensors, avionics, armament, price, infrastructure, as well as technology transfer volume. According to it, Saab's proposal received the highest score. But Dassault with Rafale was actually the only competitor, which also provided all necessary information for analysis.
As noted, besides these two companies, sufficient volume of information wasn't transmitted. Although it's clarified that there were also proposals regarding aircraft manufactured in USA and Spain. Defense Express notes that we're talking about F-16 and Eurofighter Typhoon, which Spaniards also assemble at their own facilities, like all other consortium participants.
Against this backdrop, one can only accept that the price, as considered, of the cheapest Western 4+ generation fighter for Colombia is precisely such amount. Which can also be quite significant because the country must adapt all its ground infrastructure for these Swedish fighters. Currently, the country’s air forces operate up to 20 Israeli Kfir in questionable flight condition.
But it's worth remembering that real possibility of executing this contract for Colombia very strongly depends on USA. Because Washington can veto components for Gripen.
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