The Swedish government and Saab are seeking parliamentary approval to sell 12 Gripen E/F fighter jets to Peru.
www.aviacionline.com
The
Peruvian Air Force (FAP)'s combat fleet renewal program has entered a new phase of formalization: the
Swedish government has submitted a proposal to its Parliament seeking authorization to sell up to
12 Saab JAS 39 E/F Gripen fighter jets, along with associated air defense systems. The initiative, part of the
2025 Varändringsbudget (supplementary budget), aims to enable a
government-to-government transaction, as required by the Peruvian procurement process.
Although the proposal is still pending legislative approval, it marks a
key bureaucratic step that solidifies Sweden’s offer on both political and operational fronts. The Swedish Parliament is expected to endorse it without major opposition, given the country’s longstanding support for defense exports.
A Competitive Process Reaching Its Final Stages
The FAP is currently evaluating the acquisition of
24 4.5-generation combat aircraft, including
20 single-seat jets and
4 two-seat variants for advanced training. As detailed by
Defense Minister Walter Astudillo Chávez, the project is included in
Peru’s 2025 national budget and will be financed through the
Public Debt Law, with an initial allocation of
$2 billion and a second phase projected for 2026.
In this context, Sweden’s offer of
only 12 units stands out. The proposal does not specify whether this is a
first phase of a phased acquisition, a response to
specific budget constraints, or if
Peru intends to split the procurement across different platforms, in line with its traditional preference for
supplier diversification. Regardless, the number signals a
clear intent and raises questions about the program’s final configuration.
The FAP’s
shortlist includes the
F-16 Block 70 (Lockheed Martin),
Rafale F4 (Dassault Aviation), and
Gripen E/F (Saab)—all featuring
BVR capabilities,
AESA radar,
open architecture, and
growth potential. The selection process has been accompanied by
intense diplomatic, technical, and industrial activity from the bidders, with Peru negotiating pragmatically to extract
maximum strategic and technological benefits.
Industrial Cooperation at the Core of the Bid
In this scenario, agreements signed by
South Korea for the production of
FA-50 and KF-21 components at
SEMAN Perú, along with similar understandings with
France and the U.S., are not binding selections, but rather part of
broader proposals to strengthen each offer. If
Saab is selected, Peru could join an
expanding industrial network, similar to the one developed in
Brazil with Embraer, which includes
local assembly of the Gripen NG.
Sweden has expressed willingness to replicate
technology transfer, workforce training, and industrial collaboration models. This approach was recently reinforced by
Colombia’s decision to pursue the Gripen E/F, as confirmed by President
Gustavo Petro, along with a compensation package involving
social and technological investments in healthcare, clean water, and renewable energy. If finalized, Colombia would join Brazil as a
Latin American Gripen operator, strengthening the platform’s regional footprint.
Peru Is Seeking More Than Just a Jet
Peru’s strategy is clear: this is
not just about acquiring a modern fighter, but about
maximizing opportunities for industrial development, technology transfer, and strategic cooperation. In this context,
Sweden’s formal proposal gives its offer
equal footing with its competitors.
The final decision is still pending, but the
official request submitted by the Swedish government signals a clear and serious intent to compete for the future of
Peru’s combat aviation.
).
