Just hours before the official start of the 2025 edition of the International Exhibition of Technology for Defense and Disaster Prevention (SITDEF), the K2 Black Panther tank and the JAS 39 Gripen E fighter are ready for what promises to be a busy event at the Headquarters of the Peruvian Army. Both systems are contenders to become standard equipment for the Army and the Air Force, respectively, as part of a re-equipment and modernization process of the Peruvian Armed Forces.
As of the end of yesterday’s activities, and amidst a flurry of activity in the Inka Pavilion, a unit of the Hyundai Rotem K2 Black Panther and a model of the Saab JAS 39 Gripen E were already in place at their respective SITDEF booths, awaiting final preparations ahead of the opening ceremony.
The presence of both systems raises significant expectations for the days to come, as SITDEF 2025 could serve as the ideal occasion to announce updates regarding the aforementioned projects involving the Swedish fighter and the South Korean tank.
K2 Black Panther for the Peruvian Army
As part of its cavalry modernization process, the Peruvian Army announced in mid-November of last year the selection of the K2 Black Panther tank, a combat vehicle produced by South Korea’s Hyundai Rotem. The agreement signed between the Peruvian Army’s Weapons and Ammunition Factory (FAME SAC) and the Korean company is intended as the first step in replacing the aging T-55 tanks still in service with the Peruvian Army.
As previously reported, the agreement between FAME and Hyundai Rotem was signed on November 16, 2024, in a ceremony attended by Lee Yong-bae, President of Hyundai Rotem, and Jorge Zapata, Director General of FAME. The “General Cooperation Agreement on Land Equipment” aims to lay the groundwork for the provision of land-based weaponry, including K2 tanks and wheeled armored vehicles. The agreement also includes a series of contracts through which details such as delivery schedules, technical specifications, personnel training, and maintenance conditions will be defined.
It is worth noting that the K2 Black Panther tank is accompanied at SITDEF 2025 by a K808 White Tiger 8×8 wheeled armored combat vehicle, of which the Peruvian Army intends to acquire 30 units, according to the requirements established in Supreme Decree No. 007-2023-DE. A command post variant of the Korean armored vehicle will be on display at SITDEF.
Saab JAS 39 Gripen E
The presence of the Gripen E comes as part of an initiative by the Peruvian Air Force (FAP) to incorporate a new combat platform. As previously stated by the Commander of the FAP, General Carlos Enrique Chávez Cateriano, this process will involve the evaluation of at least three models: the U.S. F-16 Block 70, France’s Rafale, and Sweden’s JAS 39 Gripen.
The past few weeks have brought significant developments for the Swedish fighter, as the Colombian government officially selected the Gripen E to replace the aging Kfir aircraft of the Colombian Aerospace Force. Additionally, news emerged from Sweden itself: in the most recent proposal to amend the 2025 budget submitted to the Swedish Parliament, authorization was granted to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with Peru for the sale of up to 12 Gripen E/F fighters, along with air defense equipment.
In Peru’s case, further announcements are still awaited regarding the selection of the country’s future fighter aircraft, which will eventually replace the MiG-29s and Mirage 2000Ps.
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