Colombia’s Comptroller General’s Office has confirmed that it has granted its approval to the contract signed in November 2025 between the Ministry of National Defense and the Swedish company Saab for the acquisition of 17 Gripen fighter jets for the Colombian Aerospace Force. The state oversight body certified the transparency and legality of the operation after reviewing the technical, economic, and legal studies that supported the selection of the proposal, finding no irregularities or observations that could compromise the integrity of the process.
According to the official statement, the Comptroller General verified all documentation related to the contract, including technical annexes, the financing plan, and the industrial and social cooperation commitments (offsets). The review was conducted at the facilities of the Colombian Aerospace Force (FAC), where classified information related to the Gripen program is safeguarded under confidentiality clauses that restrict public disclosure of technical and financial details. Even so, the oversight body fully exercised its constitutional and legal authority, accessing all necessary information to ensure the legality of the process.
The watchdog’s report determined that Saab’s offer was the most favorable to the country’s interests, both in terms of overall cost and the delivery schedule, as well as the scope of logistical support provided. The contract, valued at €3.135 billion (approximately USD 3.42 billion), includes the delivery of 17 new aircraft with state-of-the-art weaponry, technical and operational training, and a comprehensive maintenance system. It also предусматривает a staggered payment scheme, with 40% between 2026 and 2031 and the remaining 60% between 2028 and 2032, backed by future budget allocations approved up to a maximum ceiling equivalent to the total contract value, estimated at around USD 3.4 billion.
During the evaluation phase, the FAC applied a rigorous technical process based on nine variables and 157 sub-variables covering operational performance, avionics, sensors, weaponry, sustainment costs, infrastructure, and technology transfer. Among the bids analyzed, only Saab and France’s Dassault provided sufficient information for a comprehensive comparison, with Saab achieving the highest score. Technical reports highlighted the Gripen E/F’s lower cost per flight hour, its ability to operate from short runways, and its ease of integration with existing infrastructure—decisive factors in the final selection.
The contract also includes an industrial and social offset program, 85% of which will be directed to projects of the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Tourism, while the remaining 15% will strengthen the national aerospace industry and the technical capabilities of the Aerospace Force. According to the Comptroller General, these offsets do not alter the total value of the contract but represent a key element for the country’s technological and strategic development.
The Comptroller General’s approval comes after a lengthy evaluation and negotiation process that concluded in November 2025, when the Colombian government and Saab formalized the purchase of the new Gripen E/F fighters to replace the Israeli-origin IAI Kfir fleet. Despite initial controversies regarding the unit cost and the lack of clarity over the final configuration of the aircraft, the acquisition represents a milestone for Colombia’s air defense, bringing into service one of the most advanced combat aircraft in the region and strengthening the country’s strategic military posture.
Images used for illustrative purposes.
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