While the Brazilian Air Force is taking the first steps towards the deployment of Saab Gripen fighters in service, the Swedish manufacturer tries a new customer for the single-engine jet: Colombia. However, a strong competitor, Lockheed Martin's F-16 Block 70, also disputes this market.
A Colombian Air Force (FAC), should start to write off its veteran fleet of IAI Kfir fighters from the first half of 2023. Despite having invested in extensive modernization, which even gave Israeli jets AESA radars, the FAC has suffered with the state of the planes , which already show the signs of age and use for decades.
About to retire its main air combat vector, Bogotá is looking for a replacement. Defense Minister Iván Velásquez met this week in Washington with his US counterpart Lloyd Austin III. They spoke about topics such as the fight against drugs, human rights and negotiations with the left-wing guerrilla group ELN (National Liberation Army).
Although they did not discuss the purchase of fighter jets, Velásquez commented on the subject at the end of the meeting. According to the Colombian portal bluradio, the minister emphasized that the replacement plan for fighter jets is maintained, as well as other old systems.
“Within the National Defense System, in the project that has to sustain the capabilities of the Armed Forces, it is planned to replace not only the kfir, but of many elements that are reaching the age of obsolescence”, he said.
He confirmed that among the proposals received by Bogotá is that of Saab with the Gripen E. Although the Swedish company always offers industrial partnerships and generous offset agreements, the unit cost of the Gripen E, around US$ 85 million, may end up favoring the adversary from the United States, the F-16V Block 70, which costs around US$ 63 million, not counting the great partnership between Washington and Bogotá.
After losing contracts in Finland, Canada and the Czech Republic (all for the F-35), the company has been looking for a series of markets to offer the multi-mission fighter. So far only 100 planes have been ordered: 60 for the Swedish Air Force and 36 (+4) for Brazil. Lockheed has secured orders for Bulgaria, Slovakia, Bahrain and Taiwan and has recently resumed production of the model.
“There was no conversation with the US government, it is an exclusive decision of the Colombian government. What President Petro proposed is to achieve the best benefits for the country. If this consolidates, it will be the most profitable purchase for Colombia”, said the minister.
Colombia even considered the purchase of used F-16 MLU fighters from Denmark, something that is also considered by Argentina, who lives another long soap opera to buy new fighter planes. Another factor that could weigh in on the decision is in-flight refueling. The FAC's Boeing 767 refuels the Kfir through a probe and basket, unlike the F-16 which uses the flying boom to receive fuel in flight. In this way, the FAC would have to acquire not only new fighters but also a new tanker, even if it is a used KC-135, a possibility that Argentina itself would also be evaluating.
Regardless of Bogotá's future decision, the fact is that the FAC is in a race against time to select and start acquiring a new fighter jet as soon as possible.
